CALIFORNIA. 217 



appearance; but on our drawing near the long line of huts, formerly 

 occupied by the Indians, which are now destroyed, excepting a few, 

 the ruin and neglect that have taken place are evident enough. The 

 church and mission-house adjoining have also a dilapidated look; 

 their tile roofs and whitewashed walls require extensive repairs, as 

 well as all the wood-work of the doors, posts, &c. The church flanks 

 the mission-house on the north, and is about one hundred and fifty 

 feet long by forty wide, and about fifty feet high ; it is surmounted 

 by a small steeple. The mission-house is of only one story, with a 

 corridor extending its whole length, of one hundred and fifty feet. 

 This dwelling is now occupied both by the administrador and the 

 padre, and a wall divides the premises into two parts, separating the 

 temporal from the spiritual concerns of the establishment. The padre 

 has his own servants, cooks, &c. 



As we rode up with Don Miguel, we had no need of further 

 introduction, and shared the kind welcome he received, as an old 

 acquaintance, who had evidently much to do with the affairs of the 

 mission, in the way of business. The administrador and his deputy 

 came forth to greet us, with an ample retinue of attendants, of many 

 varieties of colour, from the darkest Indian to the pure white. The 

 administrador is a kind, excellent old man, who has risen from being 

 a corporal in the army, to his present post. I could not learn his 

 original name. His wife belongs to one of the best families in the 

 country; and on her marriage with the administrador, she insisted 

 upon his taking her name, which is Aliza, one of the most distin- 

 guished in California in bygone days. This, I understood, was not 

 unusual, as the old family pride still predominates among these 

 people. To the old lady we were soon introduced; her countenance 

 and appearance bespoke her excellent character, which is well known 

 throughout California. Nothing could be cleaner or more tidy than 

 her house. Senor Aliza was too unv/ell to attend upon us, but his 

 deputy acted as a substitute for that purpose. Shortly after our 

 arrival, breakfast was announced, of which, after the ride we had had 

 on our hard horses, we gladly partook. 



This meal was considered by us as rather a light one, and con- 

 sisted principally of fruit, and small ollas, peppers, &c. What it 

 lacked in quantity was made up in quality. This was according to 

 the usage of the country, and although Don Miguel wished to speak 

 to Senora Aliza, with reference to a larger supply, we refused to give 

 her any more trouble than could be avoided. She had prepared the 



vol. v. 55 



