Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-17

no other body o. ancient structures that Will
compare with these missions for archi-
tectural attractions and interesting assoc
Citations. 1t is a very strange fact that the
climate OF southern Spain and southern
California are SO much alike that the build
ings found most fit in the mother country
were likewise those best adapted to this
region.
But the Spaniards travelled mainly along
longitudinal lines, may prove by
citing Mexico, as well as southern Caltfor-
MIA and the West Indies. If those first
explorers had landed, for instance, some
where on the coast of Maine or Massachu-
sets, they would have been puzzled as TO
what style Of house to erect for shelter.
That which they were used to. as il turned
out, was exactly suited to the countries
they colonized, but it would not have done
for the cold and wintry north. Imagine
the typical casa of CUBA and Mexico
(which is exactly the same as We find in
the mission structure), with its open cor
ridors and patio unglazed windows and
without a sign of a chimney. struggling
with the winter zephyTs OF Boston or Port
land, on the North Atlantic coast.
Always Got the Best.
There was something providential (for
the Spaniard) in the general trend of his
vOyagings, for, as il were by instinct, he
picked out the choicest continents and is
lands to exploit and the countries most ia
vored by kind nature. There was nothing
prOvidential for the Indians however. for
wherever the Spanlard landed there he i'm
medlately exercised deSpDtic sovereignty,
and in the end the poor native disappeared
One of the few exceptions to the general
statement that the SpauiaTd had a nose"
for gold and was never inimlcal to the
aborISines is found in California. for il was
not until he was expelled that gold was
discovered there. and today there remain
some descendants of the primitive peoples.
No longer, however, dc We find any of
them inhabiting the old missions which
are mainly in ruins, all save a few. such
as San Luis Rey, Santa Barbara, San Bue-
naventura. etc. which have been wholly or
in part restored Two OF them-San Luis
Rey and Santa Barbara-are now the abid-
ing places of holy men. who. as in the oiden
time, spend their lives in prayer and medi-
tatiOn-
Founding the Mission.
But 1 was going to speak of the third
mission founded by that worthy father,
Junipero Sierra, which was San Antonio de
Padua. on the 14th of July iii. In COM
pany with two padres and guard of SOL
diers Father Sierra travelled southwark from
Monterey. seeking a site for another mis-
SION As California was then virgin terri
tory, and the Spaniards possessed it all by
right OF discovery. II was only necessary to
pm 'Nt q Sppi SpOl, HdHS up d Dell on a
tree or crOssbar between two crotched
sticks and summon the heather to mass.
This is what good Padre Junipero did on
the site of San Antonio. in that distant day
OF the past century. wheE re and his little
party had Reached a beautif II dell covered
with oak trees, and which. in consequence
OF It's arboreal growths. they called Los
Robes" of the Oaks. There was river
here suitable. they thought for irrigation.
and line plain for cultivation. As soon
as the mules were unlader. the padre seized
the bell ne had brought. suspended it from
sne hmo OF a tree and began to ring il,