Chapter III



More About San Carlos Mission and Monterey



As we have seen in the preceding chapter, Monterey was the capital of
the Spanish Possessions in California, consequently San Carlos Mission
was the headquarters of Junipero Serra. And what was not San Carlos
Mission of Carmelo in the days of her glory! We are in a maze of thought
as to how to begin to tell her story. Of the beauty of the spot where
this mission was built we have already spoken, as well as of how the
golden valley of Carmelo came to be named. And here we may well exclaim
with that dear English Saint of the thirteenth century, Saint Simon
Stock, who invoked the Immaculate Virgin with the following beautiful
lines:

"Carmel's fair flower
Rod blossom laden
Smile on thy dower
Meek Mother--Maiden
None equals thee.
Give us a sign
Thou dost protect us
Mark us for thine
Guide and direct us