204 CALIFORNIA. 



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 ap- 

 pearance bespoke her excellent character, which is well known through- 

 out California. Nothing could be cleaner or more tidy than her house. 

 Sefior Aliza was too unwell 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 Sefiora Aliza, with reference to a larger supply, we refused to give 

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

 whole with her own hands, and prided herself on her admirable 

 management and cookery. Few certainly could equal her in the 

 preparation of stews and delicate high-flavoured dishes ; but of each 

 there was but a mouthful, and the deputy took good care to have 

 more than his fair proportion. After breakfast, I strolled around the 

 premises, and saw our good hostess busily engaged in directing her 

 domestic concerns. The rear of the mission forms a quadrangle 

 of low sheds, in which the domestic manufacture of candles, pre- 

 serves, baking, and a variety of other duties, are performed. In 

 these were some ten or fifteen Indians busily employed, and although 

 clean, they did not excel so much in this respect as the interior 

 of the main building, which appeared to be entirely under her own 

 keeping. 



Don Miguel proposed to us to make a visit to Padre Mercador, and 

 that he might not be taken by surprise, a messenger was sent to ask 

 at what hour he would be ready to receive us. This ceremony is 

 deemed necessary, for the duties of the padre are considered here to 

 be of such a nature as to preclude intrusion. Our messenger speedily 

 returned with an intimation that he would be glad to have us pay 

 him our visit at once. We were soon ushered into the small studv 



