ew and the
other-world-view. In either view the missions stand out gloriously. In
the first, the builders, who were the padres, are beheld as practical
men possessing fine artistic sense and creative genius. From the
memories of old Spain and the elemental materials at hand, the forests,
the soil and sunlight, they made the original picture-building which
artists since have loved to paint, and poets loved to praise. From this
same viewpoint the mission builders are seen as philanthropists who
selected human materials as gross as the mud from which they made
the adobe brick, and from these built up a civilization that was more
wonderful than all the mission-edifices which remain as monuments to
their altruistic efforts.

But there is another view of the missions which must appeal especially
to Catholics. Indeed it is natural to the farther-seeing Catholic eye.
It is the other-world-view. It is the vision of souls. It is seen to
have been the motive of every action of the master-builder padres. It
is the reason for their exile here, the purpose of their sufferings, the
object of their labor, the burden of their prayer, the spirit of their
vocation, the poetry, art, architecture and music of their souls. The
one aim in life was the salvation of souls.

--The Monitor.

Dances of Early California Times.

The Spanish dances of early California times were the Contradanza,
Quadrillas Espanolas, Varsoviana, Jota Aragonesa, Bamba, Jarabe, Son,
Zamacueca, and Fandango.

With the exception of the first three, which are round dances, the
dances are danced by two persons; the steps are very fancy, and for some
castanets are used. It was customary after each change of step for the
gentleman to recite a pretty little stanza complimentary to the lady,
who in turn responded her refined appreciation also in verse, sometimes
merely witty or comical rhymes were used. The music is very pleasing and
lively.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: Official title of the Kings of Spain.]

[Footnote 2: Blue and white are the symbolical colors of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.]

[Footnote 3: The Very Reverend Angelo Casanova selected the writer
of this sketch and her brother, then little children to unveil this
monument.]

[Footnote 4: Alberto de Cordoba, an excellent engineer, surveyed the
Harbor of San Francisco in 1813, at the request of Governor Borica.]

[Footnote 5: A Catholic devotion in honor of Our Saviour's Passion.]

[Footnote 6: