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Show 246 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES IN THE FAE WEST. other fruit is also sold by the pound on the tree. Many proprietors have permanent engagements with San Francisco merchants, to sell annually the produce of their vineyards and orchards. Wine of a superior kind is made in Los Angeles, it is white and dry like the Hockhiemer or Rhenish. A superior article is worth twenty-five dollars for eighteen gallons. Don Manuel Domingues, a noble specimen of a Spanish gentleman, owns a very large tract of land in Los Angeles county. The San Gabriel, and Los Angeles Rivers run through it, making the property very valuable. It adjoins the large rancho of Mr. Stearns. It was confirmed by the United States government during my short residence at his hospitable mansion, and I painted a large portrait of him to celebrate the event, with the letters patent of his property in his hand. I was prostrated at this gentleman's house by a severe attack of brain fever, superinduced by exposure in travelling over the hot deserts of sand, between Salt Lake and San Bernandino. His good, kind-hearted wife, Donna Gracia, paid me all the attentions and devotion of a mother. For ten days I was delirious, during that time she hardly left my bedside. Doctor Brinkerhoff who resided with them, volunteered his medical advice. To their combined skill and care I owe my final recovery. I was taken ill the very day I got out to their rancho. If I had been ill in Los Angeles, where I had been residing previously, I should have died for want of attentions which money could not have procured. I also painted the portraits of Donna Gracia, and one of her daughters. Don Manuel has several brothers, living at short dis- |