The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-10-16

lected for the hardN, desperate tasA VI
exploring the uncharted hills and val
leys. canyons and mountains of the
strange land. prophetically named for
the land Of romance-California.
Great Will Be the Sight
Half the fun OF the show next week
viii be to see the incarnate Gaspar
de Portola at the head of his dragons
and the 5000 soldier men from many
nations marching in honor Of San
Francisco. Don de Portola will be
treated with the distinction accorded
ROYAL blood AS his galleon sails up
the bay Tuesday morning the national
and royal salute viii bark from the
guns of many fags-United states
Italian. German. British, Dutch, Jap
anese powder will explode in honor Of
the festival. The famous don viii dis
embark from his noble barge at the
foot of Mission street and there meet
the acclaim of his subjects.
Centuries ago the armies Of all
nations OF Europe would unite
in the sacred cause OF reseulng
the holy land from the Mosiem
hosts Next Tuesday the armed men
from as many nations viii unite to
escort Don Gaspar de Portola into
capitulated city. ready TO surrender its
cares and peevishness, TO obliterate
them. and be invested with the carnl-
val shirt of mirth and merriment. San
E Francisco win start on its celebration
with the dogs Of war dragging the
cha riot of joy
OIdtime Fiestas
Don Nicolas Covarrubias yesterday.
in his bright gold regimentals, was
filled with the memory of his early
carnival days.
THE last big fiesta" he said, refer
ring TO the mission settlement gather
ings Of the early CalifOrnians, was at
san Buenaventura in 90 But the big
gcst that I ever attended was held
before that at the San Luis Reyes mis-
sion. Thirteen hundred people gath
cred for that fiesta. They came from
all over California. In those days they
had the old carts-made with two solid
wooden wheels and wooden aXle-and
TO il were hitched the oxen. The
wheels We're creased with cactus. Into
the cart we would put the women and
children and the men and boys and
girls would mount their horses and
ride 10 the fete. Those were the times
of hospitality. You could ride from
san Diego TO the Sierra without the
price of A cigarette and never want.
At the fiestas there would be dancing
and merrymaking with the girls and
fun and frolie
But this that you are to have here
is splendid. On grand scale. The
Young men behind it are sharp, smart.
quick. energetic, fine fellows. 1t will
be a great fiesta"
50 already has Don Gaspar de Por-
tola given his vociferous approval of
san Franciseo's fete.
School Children Rejoice
The school children of San Fran
cisco have cause for rejoicing, for the
coming of Don Gaspar means freedom
from tho tasks Of the schoolroom. The
board of education yesterday decided
20 close the schools Monday afternoon
for Portola week. superintendent of
schools ROncOvieri pointed out the his
tOrical significance of the Portola fes-
rival and the Members OF the board
saw the wisdom of intoxicating a valu-
able lesson in history and pride in the
city by honoring the Portola celebra-
ton by weeks holiday.
Wednesday the school children will
devote themselves still further TO hon
oring PortoIa by the grand concert of
5000 voices, which is to be given in
the morning in Union square under the
direction of Miss Estelle Carpenter.
The selections chosen by Miss Car
penter are appropriate to the week.
Musical Program for Ball
The musical program for the grand
Portola state ball to be given at the
Fairmont is announced this morning.
It is a splendidly arranged carnival
program on which is gathered Spanish
airs. classical measures and the popu-
lar songs of the minute. all of which
are good to make the feet of society
Jingle and quicken with the graceful
impulse TO uance.
Tonight those who are on the streets
early can see the wonderful ilumi-
nations-the 30,000,o 600 candlepower IL
Elimination. The current will be turned
on tonight for d short while. Already
the streets are filled with visitors and
strangers from all parts of California
and the coast and the east. They will
be on the streets tonight and will make
the largest Saturday night throng
since the rehabilitation.
Sailors to Be Entertained
The sailors of the United States and
foreign warships in the harbor are to
be well entertained during the Porfola
festival. The United Railroads has
granted free rides to all sailors in uni
form during the time OF the festival.
The Naval Y. NJ. c. A has established
an international bureau for the benefit
OF the sailors Of the many flags in the
headquarters at 81 Market street on
the north side. block from the ferry
Many conveniences for the recreation
and rest Of the men have, been pro-
vided there free of charge, and at the
naval float where the men land inter-
prefers have been stationed to direct
the men in their native tongue about
the city
The Japanese officers of the cruiser
Idzumo were entertained at the Clifr
house last evening by the Japanese
Association Of America.
The next events Of Importance are
the arrival here of the ministers ia
America from Spain and The Neither
lands and the arrival of the British
feet and German warship. Those cere-
monious occasions will be duly oh
served by the Portola festival commit
tee.
And in the meantime Don Nicolas
Covarrubias Is accustoming his splen-
did horse Babe to the delights and s,,r-
prises Of city life and Queen Vergflia is
busy with milIiners and dress makers
that she may be the most gorgeous
queen. as ii has been decided she is the
most beautiful, that ever ruled over
festive period.
Plenty of Accommodations
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