H ouse and Garden 
THE LIVING-ROOM IN THE DE LA GUERRA HOUSE 
open. These verandas are peculiarly suggestive of 
the Old Mission, for the tiles of the floor are of the 
same quality, color (a deep pink), and size that of 
eight ordinary bricks. In a balmy day these ve¬ 
randas are most attractive retreats, delicate vines 
screening them from the gaze of passers-by; and gay 
serapes and rugs hanging in corners that might be 
draughty. Tables, chairs and couches lend an 
added air of comfort. There the visitor is re¬ 
galed with a cup of tea or chocolate, and this, too, 
in the very nook, where, eighty years ago, one of the 
kindliest, if the most dignified, of the de la Guerra 
name, Don Jose Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega, 
sat as on a throne while every one who passed lifted 
his hat in courtly greeting, as to a sovereign, for each 
loved and honored him. 
To return to the house itself. Adobe walls, from 
four to six feet thick, make the doors and windows of 
great depth and give the air of a medieval castle. 
The massive entrance is seamed with age and the 
door has an imposing hand-wrought latch of iron 
and an equally immense brass knocker, which still 
serves to announce visitors, as it did three-quarters 
of a century ago. 
The main entrance is directly into the living-room, 
in which the furniture is still used that was brought 
by sailing vessels from Spain in the early part of the 
last century. Of course, many modern pieces have 
been added, which is to be regretted, for the dignity 
of the massive mahogany tables, sofas, and chairs fit 
in with the general character of the rooms as nothing 
new can. A notable center table of mahogany is 
highly prized by the family, for the drawers under its 
oval top were utilized by the commandante for hold¬ 
ing valuable papers of state. Above the mantel 
hangs an oil painting of Don Jose de la Guerra y 
Noriega; and over a book case is a portrait of Don 
Pablo, father of the present owners of that portion of 
the house, and a distinguished, military-looking man. 
It was in this room that the most brilliant recep¬ 
tions were given during the Spanish regime and, when 
one of the numerous relatives was married, feasting 
lasted for several days in the mansion. Guests 
would arrive by scores and there was never a lack of 
accommodation. The scene of many of the novels 
descriptive of early life among the grandees of Cali¬ 
fornia, is laid in the de la Guerra home and it was 
from there that Mrs. Atherton drew her color for her 
fascinating tales. It was a de la Guerra who served 
as her model in “The Doomswoman,” and to the same 
beautiful woman, Miss Delfina de la Guerra, is 
dedicated “Rezanov.” 
Leading from the living-room is the great dining¬ 
room, in which all the mighty one's of the Pacific 
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