HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 105 



fertile, and yields ample reward to the agriculturist. 

 There would, therefore, be no lack of supplies of pro- 

 visions, but for the indolence of the Californians, 

 owning the different ranches in the surrounding coun- 

 try. From this cause, great scarcity of provisions of 

 all kinds is often the result. Notwitlistanding the 

 additions made by Yankee enterprise and innovation, 

 the general manners and customs of the inhabitants 

 of Monterey retain all their old Spanish character ; 

 and some of the customs of the natives, particularly 

 their amusements, are heartily joined in by the more 

 susceptible of the new-comers. The fandango and 

 the serenade with the guitar, still hold their sway as 

 freely and as undisturbed as" in old Spain. The win- 

 ters are severely felt here. The rain causes torrents 

 of water to pour down from the hills in the rear of the 

 town, deluging the principal streets, and rendering 

 their passage almost impossible. During this period, 

 the only resort of the inhabitants for passing away the 

 time is the vice of gambling, in which they early 

 become adepts. This gambling propensity, noticed 

 amono: the Californians, induced a considerable num- 

 ber of the initiated to emigrate from the United States, 

 and Monterey received a goodly proportion of them. 

 Such an increase of the population, however, could 

 not be considered desirable. Upon the whole, though 

 in a less degree, the effect of the golden attractions 

 of California could be seen at Monterey as at San 

 Francisco. Though it did not spring at once from a 

 small settlement to a large city, it was considerably 

 improved, and in 1849, it numbered more than a 

 thousand inhabitants. 



A short distance south of Monterey, is the town of 

 Santa Barbara. Its situation is one of the most 



