The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 94, July 1990 - April, 1991 Page: 146

Southwestern Hztorzcal Quarterly

historic architecture, the collecting of antiques and the support of tra-
ditional folk crafts. As the authors note, this behavior in New Mexico
parallels behavior elsewhere which led to a boom in collecting and fur-
nishing with antiques or reproductions as well as to the creation of in-
stitutions exemplified by Williamsburg. The last great expression of the
tradition prior to World War II, however, was due to the influence of
the depression and the WPA, which fostered a new group of craftsmen.
World War II marked an end to this period as the craftsmen moved on
to become part of the country's war machine, either turning their tal-
ents to meet the needs of industry or joining the military.
This is a successful book in every sense. Beyond the analysis and writ-
ing, the volume is filled with excellent photographs, many in color,
which are as important to the reader as the text. The overall design is
effective and handsome. This exciting book will become a standard for
every aspect of the production of furniture studies, and should be on
the shelf of every student of the southwest and every student of the
decorative arts and material culture.
Moody Mansion and Museum PATRICK H. BUTLER III
Travels in Mexico and California: Comprising a journal of a Tour from Brazos
Santiago, through Central Mexico, by Way of Monterey, Chihuahua, the
Country of the Apaches, and the River Gila, to the Minzng Districts of
California. By A. B. Clarke. Edited by Anne M. Perry. (College Sta-
tion: Texas A&M University Press, 1988. Pp. xxix+ 143. Preface,
biographical introduction, illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography,
index. $17.50.)
Asa Bennett Clarke was one of approximately three hundred thou-
sand people who participated in the Gold Rush, attracted to California
by the hope of acquiring great wealth. A native of Massachusetts, he
was the proprietor of a drug store in Westfield when he joined the
throng of fortune-seekers en route to the Pacific shore. Unlike the
great majority of argonauts, Clarke declined to travel the Overland
Trail across the American West, preferring a southern alternative
through Mexico.
On January 29, 1849, the Hampden Mining Company took passage
on the schooner John Castner from New York, bound for Brazos San-
tiago, at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. Clarke was one of forty-six
in the group, the majority of whom were from Springfield. After three
weeks at sea, they reached their destination and immediately pro-
ceeded by steam launch to Brownsville and Camargo. At the latter
place they acquired mules, wagons, and supplies for the overland jour-
ney to California.

146