St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-04-25

a little salt for seasoning.
Much of the route from breakfast tC
dinner, which latter meal was taken al
San Buenaventura, forty miles further
was through a fine gazing country
covered with herds of sleek cattle anC
sheep. AS we approached our dining
place we came in sight of the ocean
and in the valley of the Santa Glars
river found some fine farming land:
with large fields of wheat and barley
growing. San Buenaventura is quite 6
thrifty looking village, near the ocean
and several coast line steamers stop al
its port.
After leaving Ventura, as this place
is called for short, the stage road is OIL
makes a delightful ride, with enough OF
excitement about it to make it inter
esting, especially when the waves swept
under both coach and horses, as they
did occasionally. Fifteen miles before
reaching Santa Barbara, we saw the
sun go down into the sea, and bidding
both goodbye, we took an inland course
for the remaining distance.
SANTA BARBARA.
Probably this is the best advertised
place in America. From its peculiar
situation it is supposed to have an I'M
usually equable climate, even for Cali
fornia, and it thus has become a great
resort for invalids, especially those with
lung difficulties. \ glance at the map
will show that the coast below San
Francisco, which runs in a northwest
and southeast direction for most of the
way, makes Il turn just above Santa
Barbara and runs i'll Il nearly eastcrly
and westerly direction. This makes
the town comparatively sheltered from
the coast winds. In addition to this.
the town is surrounded except on the
side of the water. with mountains or
very high hills, which keep out III II
great measure northcrly and castcrly
W mus. II - al S'Hllt l''ill tii'
water to the hills. which are from three
to six miles away. The town begins
down near the ocean and runs back
towards the hills. The :ntcls are in
the lower and less desirable part of the
town. bat the new court house. college.
and some line dwellings. are farther up
the slope. which. though Of scarcely
pcrccp,il,lc ascent. is vet enough /" give
fine views.
Santa barbara has perhaps 5000 in
hahitaut>- some of them natives. but
the majority are ''whitr folks. drawn
ththcr 10y its fine climate. There are
some of the old adobe houses remain
ing. and a few SpaniardS and McNicanS.
all booted and >purrcd. ride their mus
tanTS about the streets. sad relics OF
former greatness. These inhabitants
will grow beautifully less as time goes
on. This is one of the most thrifty APP
pcaring towns have seen i'll California;
There is Il general air of activity and
hustle about the streets, like that of Il
New England village. Much building
is going ON, and the streets and side
walks are up in good shape.
Santa Barbara lives and thrivrs Who'll
ly on its reputation for climate. Hun
dreds of invalids crowd its boarding
houses and poor hotels. These people
leave much money. The Barhara-ans
have heard that "all that man hath
will he give for his life" and they take
the offer literally. The weather was
unusually cold and windy when We
were there, Yet from its location and
surroundings Santa Barbara ought to
have a fine climate. But question if
it is much if any better than the lower
part OF the Santa Clara valley, and some
other localities in the state. 1t seems
to me invalids would he better off i'll
San Jose than Santa Barbara. for the
slight difference in climate i'll favor of
the latter--if there is any-is out
weighed by the comforts for travellers
in san Jose, and the ease with which
San Francisco and other parts of the
state can he reached by several rail
road trains each day.
| would not undervalue Santa Bar
bara. 1t is beautifully located, with
fine climate and excellent fruits and
when it has railroad connection with
civilization when its hotels are kept
by Americans instead of Frenchmen it
will be a good place to visit.
C. NJ $