insurrection instigated by the deposed Alvarado, they declared in favor of the latter, unsatisfactory as his reign had been. In this emergency Micheltorena appealed to that influential pioneer of the north, John A. Sutter, for aid, and Sutter agreed to comply with the request if Micheltorena would give him and his friends certain coveted grants of land. Micheltorena was ready to promise anything, and a force of one hundred men, mostly Americans, was accordingly led by him toward Los Angeles. An engagement took place a few miles from the city, in the Cahuenga valley, which reminds us of certain famous battles between our soldiers and the Apaches in Arizona. The combatants were stationed one mile apart, and one mule comprised the list of killed and wounded! This was sufficient ground for the desertion of Micheltorena's force, and the unhappy Governor had no course but capitulation. He was shipped to Mexico, and Pio Pico, who had borne the rank of General among the revolutionists, was declared Governor instead of Alvarado, after all. Sutter, however, lost nothing by the turn of events, for Governor Pico gave the Americans the grants in question.

In 1846, Commodore Stockton prepared to take Los Angeles, which was an important point, being still the largest town in California, with a population of something more than two thousand. He arrived at San Pedro in August, taking possession of Santa Barbara on the way; and Fremont, who had been made major of a battalion, arrived at San Diego about the same time, with orders to join Stockton on a mesa between San Pedro and Los Angeles.

Stockton marched from San Pedro August 11th, the guns being dragged by hand in one day nearly thirty miles, and met General Castro, of the Mexican army, outside the city. The latter, although having the advantage of numbers and position, fled without further ado, and Governor Pico abandoned the city and retreated into So

Fremont arrived at this juncture, and on the 15th of the same month Stockton took possession of Los Angeles, issued a procla

mation declaring California a Territory of the United States, and proceeded to organize a civil and military government, retaining for himself the positions of Governor of one form of administration and Commander-inchief of the other. The people were invited to assemble on the 15th of September and choose their officers.

This action of Stockton's in boldly "making a break" for the chief city of the Territory, which resulted in the acquisition of California by the United States without bloodshed, although occurring contemporaneously with the move of Congress in declaring war against the neighboring republic, was done in ignorance of that movement, the news not having reached Stockton at the time of his departure for Los Angeles. The political status of this city being solidly established-as imagined-Stockton soon started on a trip to the north, looking after the interests of the United States; leaving Los Angeles in charge of Lieutenant Gillespie, in command of fifty men. Gillespie, it is said, at once began a system of tyranny over the conquered people, endeavoring to reform their habits and pastimes, and rendering American rule so thoroughly obnoxious that a general revolt ensued, and General Flores took possession of the city on the 23rd of September. Gillespie, with his fifty soldiers, was encamped on Fort Hill, closely watched by the Mexicans. General Flores sent word to him that he would be permitted to march his men to San Pedro, and embark on board an American merchant vessel which was lying there; and the arbitrarily disposed lieutenant lost no time in availing himself of the proffered leniency. Thus was Southern California left in the hands of its former possessors.

Commodore Stockton, on hearing of the turn of affairs, dispatched a force of three hundred and twenty men, commanded by Captain Mervine, to San Pedro. The landing was effected October 7th, and the company, after being joined by Lieutenant Gillespie, marched toward Los Angeles. When but a short distance from the landing, they were attacked by a company of native

cavalry, numbering only seventy-five men, and carrying but one small piece of artillery, which did such brave and skillful work that Mervine was forced to retreat on board the ship, with five men killed and six wounded; and this attempt to recapture the disputed city was frustrated. In November, Stockton arrived at San Diego, and was joined by General Kearney with his escort of dragoons. They marched toward Los Angeles on the 29th of December, with a force of six hundred, and six pieces of artillery, the noted Kit Carson acting as chief of a small squad of scouts. On the 7th of January the enemy was encountered near the San Gabriel River, reported from ten hundred to twelve hundred strong, and mostly mounted. An engagement took place on the following day, which resulted in the complete rout of the natives, notwithstanding their superior numbers, and in which one American was killed and nine wounded. The loss of the Mexicans was not known. Stockton pursued the retreating soldiers, and another battle took place on the 9th, on the mesa a few miles outside the city, in which the natives were soon frightened away, and Stockton and Kearney entered Los Angeles the next day with flying colors. Major Fremont arrived at San Fernando on the same day, in company with a native Californian whose life Fremont is reported to have saved. This native visited the Mexican camp, and advised the generals to treat for peace-it being evident that the struggle for Mexican supremacy must be given up-with Fremont at San Fernando, rather than with Stockton at Los Angeles. This was accordingly done, and although Stockton and Kearney were indignant at Fremont's lack of respect toward his superior officers, they honored the treaty, and amicable relations between the two nationalities were instituted. Stockton, on leaving Los Angeles for San Diego, gave General Kearney the commission of Governor: but Fremont, who had taken up his quarters at San Gabriel, refused to recognize Kearney's authority, claiming that Stockton had previously conferred the distinction upon him. The matter was soon set at rest by VOL. I.-39.

the arrival of dispatches from Washington, confirming Kearney in his position; and he was formally installed as the first Governor of California under American rule, on March 1st, 1847.

The city was for some time kept garrisoned as a matter of precaution against surprise; but a new era had opened in the history of "The City of the Angels," wherein the turbulent scenes of Mexican dominion had no repetition. Little change was made at first in the municipal officers, as it tended to harmony to retain the same order of affairs that existed previous to the treaty.

The agreement of peace between the United States and Mexico was signed on February 2nd of the ensuing year, and ratified on the 30th of May, the former country assuming the Mexican debt to American subjects, and paying fifteen million dollars in money, for which Texas, New Mexico, Upper California, and the right of navigation on the Colorado River and Gulf of California, were received.

What of the missions all this time?

The conversion of Mexico from a province of Spain to an independent republic was, in verity, the death-blow of those once monarchical institutions. Republicanism could not long tolerate church management of secular affairs, and it soon became evident which way the tide was turning. The so-called "Pious Fund," producing an income of fifty thousand dollars per year, which had gone to support the missions, was wanted for other purposes, and was—a little here and a little there-gradually appropriated for those purposes. In August, 1834, the missions were declared secularized, and a decree was issued converting them into pueblos, which was signed by Governor Figueroa, in compliance with instructions. from the Supreme Government. This action incensed the mission Fathers mightily. They were determined that the administrators sent out by the Government should not reap the benefits of their zeal and industry, and they accordingly destroyed a great amount of property. They killed cattle in great herds, hastily drying the hides, and secreting the tal

low in pits dug in the ground, for market; they tore off the roofs of the buildings at the missions, and converted the timber into firewood; they cut down the orchards and tore up the vineyards: so that great havoc was effected where once had been prosperity and wealth. The reign of the Padres was over, and the missions from that period declined; while the pueblos steadily grew in importance, finally eclipsing the institutions which gave them birth. The San Gabriel Mission is in a better state of preservation than most of the others, although the old roof has been replaced by a more modern one. Four out of the six original bells remain, and services are held each Sunday.

There were some interesting features about the society of Los Angeles at the time of its first settlement by Americans. The line of caste was very rigidly drawn by the Mexicans. The upper class was composed of those who boasted the possession of pure Spanish blood in their veins; they were wealthy, lived in grand style (for those days), and were very exclusive, seldom marrying outside of their own rank. They had been banished from their country for state offenses, or had occupied official positions in the Territory, and acquired a large amount of property, upon which they continued to live after the expiration of their terms of service. From this aristocratic status, the classes gradated down to the common serf-for such the native Cahuillas became. Great importance was attached to an admixture of Spanish blood, however slight. If it were proved that a person possessed the least proportion of sang bleu, he was entitled to hold property, to call himself Español, and to wear the costume adopted by the Spaniards of Southern California. This costume was a decidedly picturesque one, consisting of a dark, broad-brimmed sombrero, lined with silk; a short jacket of silk or figured calico; shirt open at the neck; rich waistcoat, if any were worn; pantaloons of velveteen or broadcloth, opened at the side below the knee, and laced with gilt, or else short breeches and white stockings; deerskin shoes; a crimson sash in lieu of suspenders, varying in

quality with the means of its wearer, and the never-failing serapa, which also indicated the rank of the shoulders so jauntily carried beneath it, deteriorating downward from the black or dark blue broadcloth, elaborately trimmed with velvet and other rich materials, to the coarse blankets of the Indian.

The señoras and señoritas wore gowns similar to the European style, except that the sleeves were short, exposing the arm, and the waist was loose and usually confined by a bright sash. Jewelry was much worn. The hair was worn long in, the neck, either flowing loose or braided. No bonnets were used, but a mantle was thrown over the head, and drawn closely about the face when in the street-an event of far less frequent occurrence than at the present time, when the Spanish ladies appear to have patterned after their American sisters, and overcome their scruples at appearing unveiled in the light of day.

The first ball that occurred after the city passed permanently into American hands was an amusing one. None of the ladies present could speak a word of English, and none of the officers understood Spanish. The figures of the dances were called in both languages, but many blunders were made, serving only to increase the hilarity of the occasion-the celebration of a wedding in high life.

The ceremonies attendant upon the marriage of native Californians were somewhat romantic. A marriage contract was agreed upon between the parties; and on the same day the bridegroom bought or borrowed the best horse to be found in the vicinity, and obtained a silver-mounted bridle, and a saddle with embroidered housings, which must also be supplied with a bridal pillion at its stern, with broad embroidered aprons flowing down the flanks of the horse. Around the margin ran a string of little steel plates, which jingled like bells at every movement of the horse. It was obligatory for the bridegroom to present the bride with at least six entire changes of raiment. Two fine horses were led to the door of the lady. The bridegroom took the godmother

before him, and the godfather took the bride; thus they galloped to church. The priest received them at the altar; they knelt, partook of the sacrament, and were married. The order of things was now changed, the groom taking the bride before him and returning to her home, where they were received with a discharge of musketry. Two persons rushed out, seized the bridegroom by his legs, and deprived him of his spurs, which he was expected to redeem with a bottle of brandy. The relatives all awaited them in the house, in tears. The couple knelt at the feet of the bride's parents, craving a blessing, which was bestowed upon them with great solemnity. The groom then gave a signal for the guests to come in; the weeping quickly ceased, and dancing began, and was frequently continued, with slight intervals for refreshment but none for sleep, for three days. According to the rules of etiquette, the newly married pair must remain on their feet while the festivities lasted, and their situation was the subject of much sport.

As late as 1853, the only mode of conveyance aside from the saddle was an ungainly contrivance known as the carreta, and used by the aristocracy. It consisted of a platform five feet by twelve in dimensions, set on a rough axle, with wheels from two to three feet in diameter, sawed from solid logs, and had an awning over the top, beneath which the olive-skinned belles reclined. It was drawn by oxen, who were yoked with a straight piece of timber across their foreheads, fastened beneath the horns with rawhide thongs. When Abel Stearns imported a carriage from Boston in 1853, it was looked upon as a useless and inferior innovation.

The native plow was equally primitive. A piece of wood in the shape of a ship's knee had a piece of iron spiked to its lower point. A pole, by which the oxen drew, ran from the inner bend of the knee to the yoke, and had a mortise, made slanting, about a foot from the after end. A piece of wood, two inches by six, ran through the plow and pole, and was wedged into the mortise of the

pole, to regulate the running depth of the plow. If the ground was hard, this plow would not enter an inch; and care had to be taken to lift it when roots were encountered, or it would be broken. What an impression the great gang-plows in present use must have made on the slow-moving minds of the originators of this rude implement !

The population of Los Angeles in 1853 was about three thousand, in which the Mexican element largely preponderated. It was a sleepy town, with but one small hotel, no Protestant place of worship, no school buildings (an English school was organized in 1850), mail once a month, brought by "Gregory's Great Atlantic and Pacific Express "—a daring improvement on the saddle-horse arrangement-and boasting of one half-English half-Spanish newspaper. The surrounding country was one immense stock ranch, covered with cattle and horses, where it has since been found susceptible of the highest. cultivation. The gold excitement at the north attracted attention to a part of the State which had hitherto held an inferior position to that of Southern California, and thenceforth Sacramento and San Francisco were paramount to Los Angeles. Their growth was as rapid as that of the "Angel City" was slow; and it was not until the extension of the Southern Pacific Railway to this point, in 1876, that the one-time metropolis of California took a decided start for the better.

In 1869, the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad-transferred in 1872 to the Southern Pacific company-was completed, giving the city access by rail to its port, twenty-two miles distant; and a branch to Santa Aña was constructed a few years later; also one to Santa Monica, a seaside resort which has become very popular with the Los Angeleños. In 1873, the suburb of East Los Angeles was laid out by Governor Downey and Dr. Griffin; and Boyle Heights, on the eastern side of the river, forms another tributary settlement to the parent city.

In closing, some account should be given of the temblores which so disturbed and frightened the natives at the time of the

establishment of the missions.

The

rence seems to have become less frequent, and the shocks appear to have been less violent, with the advance of time. Many shocks occurred in this region in 1812, one of which killed thirty persons in the church at San Juan Capistrano; but no very violent one is recorded after that, until, in 1855, the shocks injured houses more or less, threw the bells from the church at the San Gabriel Mission, and frightened the people considerably. In January, 1857, a shock occurred which caused the San Gabriel River to leap from its bed and form two channels, one of

NOTE. Some historians discredit the statement, on page 581, that one of the twelve original settlers of Los Angeles was a native of China. A more plausible theory is that the man in question was a Chino, and the similarity of the names has led to the error. Clara Spalding Brown.

I.

"HERE, Carl, send me the tailor of the village instantly. Bring him in fifteen minutes, or my cane shall break your skull for your laziness."

The servant addressed, knowing the meaning of the command, and trembling for fear of his master's oft-used weapon, hastens to obey. Within less than the prescribed time the village tailor appears.

"Hier ist der schneider," are the words of Carl as he leads the trembling tailor into the presence of his terrible master. The austere and ever-angry lord looked with a scowl at the insignificant tailor, and in his gruffest tones gave him this commission:

"Here, you villain, take these papers and run to Gratzer, and deliver them to Herr von Gratzer at his castle. Stay on the road or lose them, and my cane shall crush you." And with an oath the lord of the castle swung his terrible cane over his head, to signify the fate of the tailor if he failed in his errand. Then he added, "Lose them, and I will break you on the wheel; go!"

The tailor hastened away, happy that this interview had passed so well. He was rather smaller than the usual size of men,

and his legs bowed outward, from his continually sitting cross-legged like a Turk.

The man of the angry disposition and gruff voice was the dreaded Herr von Heiden, lord of vast estates in northern Prussia, who resided in his castle in the village of Heiden, on the Baltic Sea.

For ages the kingdom of Prussia has for the most part been made up of large landed estates, the mass of people being tenants, and generally contented so to be. They lived in small villages usually three and four miles apart. The sterility of the soil, added to the devastation of war, kept the people ever poor.

In the olden time, and to some extent it is true now, the motions of the villagers were ordered by an overseer, like those of so many soldiers on duty. Early in the morning the village bell strikes out a few notes of warning, to arouse the people to attend to their household duties and the preparation of their morning meal. After a reasonable time for this operation, the bell strikes again, when, if the season be such as to supply out-door work, the villagers move with one accord to the center of the village square. There the overseer separates the workers off into squads. If in the hay-making time, some