cenes of many brilliant dances
and entertainment's. These foreign vessels were always welcome; while
the Governors were careful that the power of Spain was not infringed
upon, perfect courtesy and friendliness was always maintained by both
Spaniards and visitors. Thus when Governor Sola arrived to take his
office he was given a royal welcome. Of course, it was in Monterey that
every governor took up his residence (at the Royal Presidio) and their
first act was to attend Solemn High Mass at the Royal Chapel of San
Carlos of Monterey. Sola was no exception to the rule; amid salutes
from the cannon of the Presidio and the cheers of loyal subjects, by
the Catalonian cavalry, and their officers in their gorgeous velvet
uniforms, gold swords and plumed hats, Sola proceeded to the Royal
Chapel where the Franciscan Fathers awaited him in their priestly
vestments. Three days of carnival followed, but on the second day
Governor Sola withdrew from the festivities, made the Stations of the
Cross [5] which the fathers had erected between Monterey and Carmelo,
and on reaching San Carlos of Carmelo was shown to the tombs of Junipero
Serra, Juan Crespi and Francisco de Laseun. Here the Governor knelt and
remained long in prayer.

In California Sola found a pleasing contrast from the conditions of
affairs he had seen during his sojourn in Mexico. In that country clouds
of revolt against Spanish rule were rapidly gathering. California he
found intensely loyal to the Crown. The neophytes and converted Indians
greatly touched his generous soul, and the beauty of the country
delighted him. Sola was in office eight years; his work was well done,
and if California was lost to Spain under his administration, no less
credit can be given to his ability and high principals of honor. Many
times did Sola quell disturbances from revolutionary vessels which
landed in Monterey from Mexico, and several attacks from pirates, and
many a noble act is recorded of this loyal governor as well as of the no
less loyal Spanish subjects of the Province. If the Mexican Government
supplanted Spanish rule and "laid desolate" much of the work done
by this brilliant period of California, we repeat it was due to no
treachery or cowardice of Sola and his compatriots as we shall see
elsewhere in this sketch. Spain came into possession of California with
honor, maintained it with honor, and after her three-fold honorable
policy of exploration, colonization and christiani