Page:The Tourist's California by Wood, Ruth Kedzie.djvu/305

 SAN JOS^ TO SAN BUENAVENTURA 257 sands, the trees, the wild flowers and blue bay of Carmel are William Ritchell, Goddard Gale and many others who make this their painting head- quarters, with what excellent result all who visit California galleries may see. Beyond, in an open field, is the object of many a reverent pilgrimage, the Church of San Carlos Borromeo, seat of the Mission Presidents and tomb of Junipero Serra. When after protracted months of searching Por- tola came at last to Monterey Bay, no heart was so gladdened as Serra's. Information gathered from explorers' journals had long before instilled in him the wish to found near a haven of such good renown a religious community of influence. At last his ardent desire was to be fulfilled. Below the present presidio, near a spot now marked by a monument which depicts Serra about to put foot to the shore, the little company first landed after the voyage from San Diego, and raised with accustomed ceremony a thatched al- tar, and swung from the limbs of an oak, which still lives, the clarion bells that should call to the worship of the true God the men of the hills. The chimes which rang on this June day in 1770 at the consecration of the second of California's Mis- sions, were celebrated in the so'mewhat common- place verses of Bret Harte, The Bells of Monterey, which had, however, sufficient charm of euphony