r this proceeding
the man was struck blind. This incident is no legend, but within the
remembrance of many old residents of Monterey. The unfortunate man later
acknowledged that his calamity was a direct visitation of Almighty God
for his gross and intentional irreverence to the image of a saint. The
writer refrains from giving the name of this man who has long ere this
passed to the "Great Beyond" but many Montereyans, who will read this
sketch will know it.

Countless stories and legends of mission times are told and written
without the least foundation for veracity, for example the story of
"The Lost Pearls of Loretto;" others are founded on facts but distorted
beyond recognition. Still this is not startling in a land as full of
sentiment and romance as California, where so many writers, (most of
them "New-comers") have given vent to their poetical imaginations,
and it is not hard to believe that the eventful history of the state
contained many authentic stories, and legends with some ground of truth.

Hymn to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary [6].

"Para dar vida mortal
A Un Dios Autor de la vida
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."

"Para humillar la serpiente
Que con su mortal veneno
Dejo todo el mundo lleno
De su aliento pestilente
Que marco a todo viviente
Con el sello mas fatal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."

"Como Ester la mas amada
Del mas generoso Asuero
Gracia recibes primero
Que estes del crimen manchada
Pues para no ser contada
En la indignacion real
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."

"Ciudad fuerte y mas hermosa
Que de Asirio acometida
No lograra verte herida
Su saeta ponzonosa
Pues para ser victoriosa
De su poder infernal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."

"Luna llena de esplandor
Sin ser nunca eclipsada
Porque fuiste iluminada
De un sol de poder, y amor
Pues por no ver el horror
De un eclipse criminal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."

"Mujer heroica y valiente
Que con divino valor
Pisas gloriosa el furor
De la enganosa serpiente
Pues por no temer el diente
De aqeste monstro infernal
Sois Maria concebida
Sin pecado original."

"Virgen que de nuestro suelo
Subes vestida de