The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-23
fBOUT SANTA BARBIRL
The Curfou. oid Catholic mission or southe,,
tattfcrrta.

Fyosnhe Ton HsigN
SANTA BARBARA, March 20, 1s7s.-Th,
Spanisrds formerly had vast posscssions hcre
immense ranches. largo herds OF cattle, and
brond acres by the thousands. All this has
passed away. Tho North American has M
general thing succeeded to these vns old landed
estates. and in the exceptional cnscs where
large estates are stlll in the hands OF Spanish
Mexicnns the estates are heavily mortgaged
and rapidly drifting away from the hands OF
No rnrion I'm the world has more couabIe
and delightful climate The four seasons hap.
PLY blend In one long and continuous sweep Of
blue skies md sunny DAYS wherein ali out
doors IL clothed in delicious rural beauties. II
Is dreamy climate but with sufficient OF the
invgorating essence Of life in II 10 incitc mod.
erae activities. Here grow all the fruits, grains
ami Vegetables OF the Temperate zone WIN mnny
81 VI" Ir9nira, anu sup-,fopic"I reei1us. n
produced. In thc, old dnys the inhabitants pro;
ducnd wines OF fine flavor md delicncy. and
Santa Barbara yet produces wines and brandies
Of a high order of excellence.
In the old times the pnternnl Catholic mis-.
sions dominated all this region. Many of the
old mission houses still stnnd. and ono Of the besl
Barbara i belongs to the. order Of Gray Fran.
ciscnns. Standing conspicuonsly on high
swell OF ground, mile or two outside OF the
prominent figure in all the delightful sweepo OF
landscape upon which the eye rests. This mis-.
ments Of the oldcp time. had its hundreds Of
broad acres its rich and glowing vineyards. its
vast herds Of cattle and other rural possessions
The present mission house. with its long
sweeping white wings md outhouses. Is about
one hundred wears old II Is Of adobe or sun.
dried bricks. II is surrounded 10y many relics
| ni its former magniiiccnce and Importance
| The crumbinR arches Of its water adueducts
| and covered reservoirs still attest It's former
| glores. Its garden Of flowers is still IN bloom
and fragrance with all its old-time lovcl iness.
| 1t was bright and glorious DAY when visited
daily. and undertook to be- our 81 rcronc. He WA
a middle-aged. round heod.d IrishmNn, aud
| would have been delightful broth Of u boy ats
wake. n christening. or a ward meeting. He wore
! the long gray frOck OF the order Of Franciscan
monks, and instead OF ,girlle or belt at thq
| waist. he wore n coarse inch hemp rope tied
| tightly around his body. probably for some pur
pose OF humility. He ntimntcd, with merry
worst days OF Lent he was thereby debarred
! from Offering certain comforts which would no
circumstances. As we went through the long
| corridors Of the old mission, with uncovered
he'd he'd the good father sail Pnt on your hnt
| its all roight here, you know; whether you have
your hat ON or on Jolly Franciscan was the
| fun although there were some Indications that
| his long gray robe Of coarse cloth, tied nj tho
waist with rope. was about the only garment
The Santa Barbara mission is said TO be ip
the best state Of prescrynton OF any u the old
sion IL superb. In the background are pic.
| turesque cahons,. and scrrnted mountains OF
the coHst range. In the front is Santa Barbara
| sleeping in "A green sen OF vcrdure. while for
| two or three miles away the hill gently slopes
| down TO the Pacific ocean.
| Santa Barbara IL more Of New England
| town than any we have yet seen in California.
| street feature ~ the fast horseback riding.
| Everybody has a horse. and nearly everybody
rides on horseback, and rldes. too. at the top
Of the speed Of the horse. At n full long swinging
| gallop. Little boys dash through the streets ON
| horseback AT breakneck speed. and the boys ride
| double and treble. too. | noted that when the
| boys left the school their horses were there Ia
ride home on, and frequently saw three boys,
the older brother. the middle one, and the little
! G-ycar old shaver. all mount on To the family
| mug. and then start of on u lively cantsr toI
! home. Horses are very cheap here, ranging
from 800 to $50 each. and it costs next To- nothing
| to keep them.