Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-21
SANTA BARBARA.
Something about the Poetry and Charm
of the Quaint oldsPlace.

Will the RECORD UNION readers listen
to a few words about Santa Barbara
Quaint little Santa Barbara, whose very
name falls soft and musical from the lips
named, too, after woman famed amongst
her people as one of highest excellencies !;
you remind me of the wild violet modestly
holding up her delicate head in the shadow
of something greater; you sit in horse
shoe shaped hollow with the coast range OF
hills abruptly sloping to the beach, and
the grand old Pacific coming to your feet
offering you communication with the great
world beyond. Far beyond the scope of
the eye the Santa Ynez mountains heave in
sight, forming back ground, cupping
around your site until they reach the
ocean, and thus you are framed in mount
aims covered with brown and green, whose
sloping sides are being utilized for vine
yards Protected from the chills of east
ern snow-capped mountains, you are typi-
cal of the
"PEAcE BEYOND THE GRAVE.
No snow, no winds, no fierce elements pen
citrate into your luxurious un-beaming
covert. The rains necessary for vegeta-
ton are without severity and are of short
duration; and yet why are You without
the hum of machinery and the hustle arts
ing from commercial and financial inter
ests Yes hear it. You are looking
aud hoping for railroad connection that
will not by extortion rob you OF that vital
ity and impulse necessary to excite the
energies of your people.
About one hundred years ago few
Spanish priests reached this shore. In
rendering thanks to Almighty God for
their safety and preservation, they be-
this little wilderness in honor OF Saint
Barbara, patron saint of that day. Deem
Der 45h. Through missionary efforts with
the native Indians many were converted
to the Roman Catholic belief the Spanish
Mexicans added to the human element
and atrength of numbers were yearly
added to the place. Under the fostering
care of the missionaries civilization and
agriculture slowly advanced, and under
able guidance
SOME WONDERFUL THINGS
Were accomplished that viii long stand
illustrative of the old axiom, ''Whatever
is worth doing is worthy of being vel!
done" Future generations cannot but ad.
miro the courage and Christian influence
exerted over wild and unmanagahie races,
by men devoting themselves 10 what The y
conscientiously believed to be their duty.
On large tract of land situated on the
foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains,
stands the "0ld Indian and Spanish Mis-
sion Caurch, built Of adobe. Here were
planted grapes and corn. The former
grew iuxuran;ly, and have parpetuated
species Of vine known all over the coast as
the mission grape. they are sweet,
large and nourishiBe with immense
punches Of fruit, Often weighing seven
pounds to the bunch, and even nine and
thirteen pounds are not unusual. Who
dare say that heaven was not smiling upon
this httle band IN opening mp the rich re-
sources of the soil? With the Santa Rosa,
Santa Cruz and San Miguel islands in the
channel serving as breakers of any thing
deleterious from the ocean, this charming
and evenly temperatured valley is consid-
cred valuable resort by invalids seeking
Z place for recuperstion. Three hundred
and iorty days Out OF three hundred and
sixty-tive of the year, some portion of
the day can be spent in the open air.
When one can become sufficiently edu-
Gated not to wonder what to morrow will
ospherically) bring forth, they are on
TIE NIGH ROAD TO PEACE
Aud enjoy ment. But few picnics or visits
are spoiled by rain. Diyested of fear
invitations can be accepted and plans laid
without interference by the Clerk of the
weather. True, fogs may hide the sun and
create damp chiiiness, but by noon they
areusually dispersed Talking aboutfo gs, or
dinarily they are not ornamental; but come
with ne, look out on the mountains at the
rising sun dispensing and tinting the fog
clouds, silver mixed with amethystine
hues, every moment changing from light
to deep and intermediate shadows, a Won
derful Kaleidoscope view as the sun climbs
up from the east, enhancing the eye and
brain see the mountains peak beyond
peak thrustiDg themselves into view, with
their perpendicular sides OF sand cuts and
verdure four thousand feet high as the
sun continues to rise they seem to ap.
proach you; that which a few moments ago
seemed miles on miles away, you might
fancy could be reached in thirty minutes
ride; but how are you mistaken; some of
them are inaccessible, and to reach them
there are difficulties of working over
broken cliffs and powders and through
canyons, irregular rocky, deep and often
dangerous.
BEYOND THE NORTH
Santa Yuez valley, is a good quicksilver
mine, which at one time filed the hearts
of some enthusiasts with high expecta-
tons, but it emptied their pocket-books.
The expense of carrying pr DIVISIONS and
necessary working apparatus, also fall IN
the price Of quicksilver at that time caused
suspension of work. That this unex-
plored region abounds in rich ores and Pc
troleum is not disputed, and If the Gov
eminent grants the anticipated geological
survey in the interests of petroleum some
surprising statements are expected. HPe-
troleum is so abundant that 1T is discernl-
bic not only on the water but TO the oifact'
ory nerves when on the steamer passing
Moore's Landing. When the long talked
of railroad becomes practical thing capl-
taIists will fiud the region about Santa
Barbara a point of decided interest. In
following the trail on horseback 70 tne
quicksilver mine some very romantic caves
can be visited, and at one stream some
fine specimens of onyx are found. Another
place has an incline decliyity, and if you
wish to reach the canyon below imagine
Yourself again child, and the slide to be
the old. fashioned cellar door; rein your
horse or mule to half sitting posture
one, two, three and away, and down you
slide. and reaching the bottom you pick
yourself up to commence whistlipg, "Oh !
would WIRE boy again. NORFOLK.
BYE FAIR ONES WHO so GRACEFULLY PRE-
SIDE at your husbands hospitable boards
should furnish his guests with " Hub Punch, +"
which eclipses in favor all punches hastily
made. Mix it either with fine ice or hot
water. Sold by all grocers, wine mer
chants. and druggists Trade supplied by