CALIFORNIA. 221 



the Indians, who more readily learn to use them than they would 

 more complicated machines. 



After spending some time in the garden, we were recalled to 

 dinner ; and if we had cause to complain of the slightness of the 

 breakfast, the dinner made ample amends, every variety of dish being 

 abundant and admirably prepared. Don Miguel congratulated him- 

 self and us that the administrador was not in a fit state to prevent 

 us from enjoying it, by the everlasting narration of his adventures. 

 Senora Aliza had quite surpassed even her usual good feasts in this 

 dinner, which called forth much praise from our companion. 



At the missions throughout the country four meals are daily 

 taken : at an early hour, chocolate; at eleven o'clock, breakfast; at two, 

 dinner ; and at seven, supper. The dinner and supper are the prin- 

 cipal meals, and at them the Californians indulge to a great extent. 



After our meal was finished, Don Miguel, having some business at 

 the Pueblo of San Jose, about a league from Santa Clara, he invited 

 us to accompany him thither. After some difficulty in procuring 

 horses, we set out on sorry nags, and on leaving the mission entered 

 an avenue lined on each side with large trees. These I understood 

 had been planted at an early day, by one of the padres, in order to 

 protect the people from the sun during the celebration of the church 

 festivals, and to leave no excuse to the inhabitants of the pueblo for 

 not visiting the mission church. 



Just before arriving at the pueblo, we crossed over one of the tor- 

 tuous branches of the Rio Guadaloupe, some twenty feet wide, and 

 had a view of the pueblo. It seemed as if this were a gala-day, 

 and as if every one were abroad celebrating it on the banks of this 

 river, or rather creek ; the overflow of which had served to keep the 

 grass green for a considerable space around. Instead of its being a 

 festival, it turned out to be the general washing-day of the village ; 

 and the long lines, trees, bushes, &c, were all hung with the many- 

 coloured garments, which, with the crowds of men, women, and 

 children, and some cattle, seen moving to and fro, or gathered in 

 small groups, gave the whole quite a pleasing effect. I was told 

 that the Pueblo of San Jose had a larger number of inhabitants than 

 any other in Upper California; but as we rode into it, it seemed 

 almost deserted, and I would willingly have gone back and amused 

 myself with the scene on the green, if Don Miguel had not repre- 

 sented to me, that his standing would be very much affected if we 

 did not at once proceed to the alcalde's. We accordingly rode up to 



vol. v. 56 



