NAPA VALLEY. 11 
verence will imagine how deficient we are in news: but 
for all that, I only ask you and your companions, when 
you can get an opportunity, to inform me what our 
most holy Father the reigning Pope is called, that I 
may put his name in the canon of the mass; also to 
say if the canonization of the beatified Joseph Cuper- 
tino, and Serafino de Asculi has taken place; and if 
there is any other beatified one, or saint, in order that 
I may put them in the calendar, and pray to them ; 
we having, it would appear, taken our leave of all 
printed calendars. Tell me also, if it is true, that the 
Indians have killed Father Joseph Soler in Sonora, and 
how it happened; and if there are any other friends 
defunct, in order that I may commend them to God; 
with any thing else your Reverence may think fit to 
communicate to a few poor hermits separated from 
human society. We proceed to-morrow to celebrate 
the feast of Corpus Christi (although in a very poor 
manner), in order to scare away whatever imps ae 
possibly may be in this land.” * 
The Californians of our day, instead of asking for 
information about beatified men or saints, in order to 
put them on the calendar and pray to them, would 
feel a much deeper interest in knowing the state of 
political parties in the Atlantic States, or the prices of 
stocks, of sugar, and whiskey; and where one would 
eare to hear about the Pope of Rome, a hundred would 
prefer news respecting the Emperor of China. 
* Palou. Vida de Fray Junipero Serra, p. 102. 
+ I have reference now to the interest felt in the present contest in 
China between the rebel Tien-teh and the Tartar sovereign. 
