noon of the 10th of August, 1838
It is not unreasonable to suppose that the fire originated through their carelessness , although Father Wynn of the First Baptist Church , in his powerful discourse of last Sunday , pointed at the warning and lesson of such catastrophes . It may not be out of place here to say that the rumors regarding an engagement between the pastor 's accomplished daughter and the late lamented sheriff are utterly without foundation , as it has been an _ on dit _ for some time in all well-informed circles that the indefatigable Mr. Brace , of Wells , Fargo & Co. 's Express , will shortly lead the lady to the hymeneal altar . '' AT THE MISSION OF SAN CARMEL . It was noon of the 10th of August , 1838 . The monotonous coast line between Monterey and San Diego had set its hard outlines against the steady glare of the Californian sky and the metallic glitter of the Pacific Ocean . The weary succession of rounded , dome-like hills obliterated all sense of distance ; the rare whaling vessel or still rarer trader , drifting past , saw no change in these rusty undulations , barren of distinguishing peak or headland , and bald of wooded crest or timbered ravine . The withered ranks of wild oats gave a dull procession of uniform color to the hills , unbroken by any relief of shadow in their smooth , round curves .