If Mother Nature is indeed as we see her here, broad-browed and broad-bosomed, strong and calm--calm because strong--swaying her vain brats by unruffled love, not by fear; by wise giving, not by privation; by caresses and gentle precepts, not by cuffs and scoldings and hysterics--why, then she shall better justify our memories and the name we have given her. It is well that our New England mothers had a different climate in their hearts from that which beat at their windows. I know one Yankee boy who never could quite understand that his mother had gone _home_ till he came to know the skies of California. CHARLES F. LUMMIS, in _The Right Hand of the Continent, Out West, June_, 1902. JANUARY 11. California, the orchid in the garden of the states, the warm motherland of genius, the land of enchantment, the land of romance, the land of magic; California, the beautiful courtezan land, whose ravishing form the enamored gods had strewed with scarlet roses and white lilies, and buried deep in her bosom rich treasure; California began the twentieth century with another tale, fantastic, incredible. * * * Until the oil was discovered the land had been worth from one to four dollars an acre, but now offers were made for it from five hundred to as many thousands. MRS. FREMONT OLDER, in _The Giants._ JANUARY 12. A CALIFORNIAN TO HIS OLD HOME. I oft feel sad and lone and cold Here in the Golden West, When I recall the times of old, And fond hearts laid to rest; The gladsome village crowd at e'en, The stars a-peeping down, And all the meadows robed in green Around Claremorris Town. * * * * * This is, in truth, a lovely sphere, A heaven-favored clime, Here Nature smiles the whole long year, 'Tis summer all the time, With spreading palms and pine trees tall And grape-vines drooping down-- But gladly would I give them all For you, Claremorris Town. LAURENCE BRANNICK. JANUARY 13. The establishment of the Mission of Santa Catarina marks the close of what may well be termed the third period of Lower California history. It is a period remarkable for progress rather than for individual actors. The great Junipero Serra passes quickly across the stage, figuring as a man of physical endurance and a diplomat--not as an explorer or a founder of many missions. His most historic act on the Peninsula was performed when he drew a line of division between the territory of the Dominicans and the Franciscans. He is a link between the two Californias. ARTHUR W. NORTH, in _The Mother of California._ JANUARY 14. TO THE U.S. CRUISER CALIFORNIA.