In absolute contrast to all this they were seats of learning, conservatories of arts, centers of industry, and houses of entertainment for all who claimed hospitality. They reared their heads in the midst of an untrodden wilderness, affording the greatest contrast the New World has ever known, a contrast between the highest culture and savagery, between the jungles of the chapparal and the architect's fairest creation of lofty arch and cunning sculpture wrought in stone. Here the priests lived and labored, taught and pondered, made history and recorded history so clearly and minutely, that the old tomes filled with their wonderful chirography present to the investigator an inexhaustible mine of information.

Until we search into the records, kept with such care by each succeeding priest, we can hardly realize what a watchful eye was turned upon every neophyte, as the converts to Christianity were called. Manners, morals, mind, and hands had all to be trained. The fathers taught them to read, write, and pray (and oftentimes these erstwhile barbarians complained that the "paters" and "aves" were burdensome); to sow, cultivate, and reap; make soaps, sugar, and dyes; to spin and weave; build, work in iron, and carve; irrigate, and raise water ways and aqueducts, which remain and are in use to the present day. The orders of their priests were generally implicitly obeyed, and it is strange to see the impression left by some, resulting in what are present peculiarities. For instance, the knife is the Mexican's favorite weapon; he may seem unarmed, but be sure he has that (hidden, but ever handy), and it means assassination rather than open, honorable warfare. This can be traced as the direct result of an order issued from the Church in 1757, that no half-breed nor man of mixed blood should carry firearms. The intention of this was of the best; the outcome has been deplorable. The mantilla and close-coiled hair of the Mexican woman is also a relic of the discipline of the past. In the record of Church orders in the early days of the missions was one stating that, insomuch as at a solemn mass the women failed to remove their hats, because so doing would disarrange their plaited hair, they were thenceforward forbidden to wear bonnets or braid their hair. Evidently, before that time they did wear bonnets; but ever since and even now the Mexican women of San Antonio wrap their shawls about their heads, and bear silent but eloquent witness to the undying influence of their Church.

The mission buildings, erected in the first flush of religious zeal and endeavor, are rich in legendary history; there are, too, many authentic records of the Church regarding them. All the building materials were at hand, and the Indians did the work under the direction of the Franciscans. These had brought with them from Spain and through Mexico the vessels and vestments appertaining to their religious ceremonials. At or near the present site of Laredo, on the Rio Grande, was established the first mission in Texas. When its church was built the Indians, inspired by the example of their priests, worked with such remarkable fervor that both sexes and all ages took part. The men brought the stone in their arms from the quarry, the women the sand for the mortar in the skirts of their dresses, while the children used their hats, jugs, and earthen vessels to bring the water with which it was mixed. They gave of all they had—a cow, an ox, a horse, an earring, a burro, game, any and everything which might bring in a cent of revenue. So the church was built-18 feet wide by 125 feet long. It was roofed with logs of mesquite, covered thickly with cane; these were overlaid with mortar, and the whole coated with a cement which became hard as stone. This church stood until 1876, when, unfortunately, it was pulled down to make room for its modern successor.

The church of the mission of "Nuestra Señora purisima de la Concepcion" was constructed with mortar, which, as a tribute to the purity of its patron lady, was mixed with milk instead of water, the converted Indians giving gladly from their cows, ewe sheep, and goats for this purpose. It is claimed that its indestructibility is due to this peculiar process, for of all the missions it is the only one in perfect repair. The surrounding walls, built in the ordinary way, are a mass of ruins; but where milk was used there are no signs of decay. The mortar has amalgamated with and become, indeed, even harder than the block of stone. In this church a Mexican congregation still worships, many of them descendants of the original builders.

The limit of time prevents my disclosing more of the riches to be found in this hitherto unexplored field; but what I have said will serve to point the way to future historians.

XI.-GOVERNOR WILLIAM LEETE AND THE ABSORPTION OF

NEW HAVEN COLONY BY CONNECTICUT.

BY DR. BERNARD C. STEINER.