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36 chapters
Illustrated NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE 1890
Illustrated NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE 1890
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE FAR EAST. Five Volumes. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00 each. The volumes sold separately. Each volume complete in itself. THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN SOUTH AMERICA. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentine Republic, and Chili; with Descriptions of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, and Voyages upon the Amazon and La Plata Rivers. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00. THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
Until within the past few years, Mexico was a country not easily reached from the principal cities of the United States, and our relations with it were by no means intimate. Since the completion of the railway from the frontier of Texas to the heart of the most northerly of the Spanish-American republics, there has been a rapid development of commercial and social relations between Mexico and the United States, and the tide of travel from one country to the other is steadily increasing year by y
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PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE.—PLANS FOR THE JOURNEY.—TO MEXICO BY RAIL.—BAGGAGE, AND BOOKS ON THE COUNTRY.—BRUSHING UP THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF SPANISH.—WESTWARD FROM NEW YORK.—A HALT AT ST. LOUIS.—SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.—VISIT TO THE ALAMO.—REMINISCENCES OF THE FALL OF THE ALAMO.—BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO AND INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS.—NOTES ON THE RAILWAYS OF NORTHERN MEXICO.—OLD TEXAS AND MODERN CHANGES.—"G. T. T."—PRESENT WEALTH OF THE STATE.—ARRIVAL ON THE FRONTIER OF MEXICO.
PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE.—PLANS FOR THE JOURNEY.—TO MEXICO BY RAIL.—BAGGAGE, AND BOOKS ON THE COUNTRY.—BRUSHING UP THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF SPANISH.—WESTWARD FROM NEW YORK.—A HALT AT ST. LOUIS.—SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.—VISIT TO THE ALAMO.—REMINISCENCES OF THE FALL OF THE ALAMO.—BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO AND INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS.—NOTES ON THE RAILWAYS OF NORTHERN MEXICO.—OLD TEXAS AND MODERN CHANGES.—"G. T. T."—PRESENT WEALTH OF THE STATE.—ARRIVAL ON THE FRONTIER OF MEXICO.
"I've news for you, Frank!" "Well, what is it?" "We're going to Mexico next week," answered Fred; "at any rate, that is uncle's plan, and he will tell us all about it this evening." "The news is good news," was the reply; "for Mexico is one of the countries that just now I want very much to see. We have heard a great deal about it since the railway was completed to the capital; and then, you know, the Mexicans are our neighbors." "That is true," said Fred; "here we've been going all over the res
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HOTELS ON THE FRONTIER.—ACCOMMODATIONS AT LAREDO.—SMUGGLING OVER THE BORDER.—LAREDO AS A RAILWAY CENTRE.—THE RIO GRANDE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—RIVERS BENEATH THE SANDS.—ENTERING MEXICAN TERRITORY.—EXAMINATIONS AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.—MEXICAN TARIFFS.—BRIBERY AMONG OFFICIALS.—LEAVING NUEVO LAREDO.—A DREARY PLAIN.—FELLOW-PASSENGERS WITH OUR FRIENDS.—A MEXICAN IRISHMAN.—PEOPLE AT THE STATIONS.—ADOBE HOUSES; HOW THEY ARE MADE.—THE LAND OF MAÑANA.—POCO TIEMPO AND QUIEN SABE.—LAMPASAS.—MESA DE LOS CARTUJANOS.—PRODUCTS OF NUEVO LEON.—SADDLE AND MITRE MOUNTAINS.—MONTEREY.
HOTELS ON THE FRONTIER.—ACCOMMODATIONS AT LAREDO.—SMUGGLING OVER THE BORDER.—LAREDO AS A RAILWAY CENTRE.—THE RIO GRANDE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—RIVERS BENEATH THE SANDS.—ENTERING MEXICAN TERRITORY.—EXAMINATIONS AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.—MEXICAN TARIFFS.—BRIBERY AMONG OFFICIALS.—LEAVING NUEVO LAREDO.—A DREARY PLAIN.—FELLOW-PASSENGERS WITH OUR FRIENDS.—A MEXICAN IRISHMAN.—PEOPLE AT THE STATIONS.—ADOBE HOUSES; HOW THEY ARE MADE.—THE LAND OF MAÑANA.—POCO TIEMPO AND QUIEN SABE.—LAMPASAS.—MESA DE LOS CARTUJANOS.—PRODUCTS OF NUEVO LEON.—SADDLE AND MITRE MOUNTAINS.—MONTEREY.
It was nine o'clock in the evening when the train reached Laredo from San Antonio, and our friends found that they would have to pass the night in the town. They had been recommended to patronize the Commercial Hotel; their informant said he could not speak loudly in its praise. "It is the least bad of the hotels in the place," said he, "and a great deal better than sleeping on the ground in the open air, as you would have been obliged to do here only a few years ago. In the language of the far
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THE AMERICAN INVASION OF TO-DAY.—MONTEREY AS A HEALTH RESORT; ITS SITE AND SURROUNDINGS.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—CAPTURE OF MONTEREY BY GENERAL TAYLOR.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.—FROM CORPUS CHRISTI TO MONTEREY.—THE ATTACK ON THE CITY.—CAPTURE OF THE FORTS AND THE BISHOP'S PALACE.—FRANK RECITES A POEM.—LIEUT. U. S. GRANT AND WHAT HE DID AT MONTEREY.—A STORY ABOUT JEFFERSON DAVIS.—HOW JOHN PHENIX ESCAPED CASHIERING—SIGHTS OF THE CITY.—THE MARKET-PLACE AND WHAT WAS SEEN THERE.—FRUITS, BIRDS, POTTERY, ETC.—IN A MONTEREY HOUSE.—A PALATIAL RESIDENCE.
THE AMERICAN INVASION OF TO-DAY.—MONTEREY AS A HEALTH RESORT; ITS SITE AND SURROUNDINGS.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—CAPTURE OF MONTEREY BY GENERAL TAYLOR.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.—FROM CORPUS CHRISTI TO MONTEREY.—THE ATTACK ON THE CITY.—CAPTURE OF THE FORTS AND THE BISHOP'S PALACE.—FRANK RECITES A POEM.—LIEUT. U. S. GRANT AND WHAT HE DID AT MONTEREY.—A STORY ABOUT JEFFERSON DAVIS.—HOW JOHN PHENIX ESCAPED CASHIERING—SIGHTS OF THE CITY.—THE MARKET-PLACE AND WHAT WAS SEEN THERE.—FRUITS, BIRDS, POTTERY, ETC.—IN A MONTEREY HOUSE.—A PALATIAL RESIDENCE.
The first opportunity to see a Mexican city was afforded to our friends at Monterey, and they fully enjoyed it. Every walk along the streets and every drive in the city and its vicinity was full of interest, and there was little that escaped their observation. Being the most northern city of Mexico, Monterey has been much invaded by Americans during the last decade, and many citizens of the United States are established there in various lines of business. The city has been extensively advertised
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SOUTHWARD TO SALTILLO.—SANTA CATERINA.—REMARKABLE CAVES.—SCENERY OF THE SIERRA MADRE.—WAY-SIDE ATTRACTIONS.—THE CACTUS; ITS FLOWERS AND MANY VARIETIES.—SALTILLO.—THE ALAMEDA.—MEXICAN CURRENCY.—THE BATTLE-FIELD OF BUENA VISTA.—BY CARRIAGE AND SADDLE.—A NIGHT AT A HACIENDA.—MEXICAN COOKERY.—TORTILLAS, PUCHERO, FRIJOLES, TAMALES, AND OTHER EDIBLES.—HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR FROM MONTEREY TO BUENA VISTA.—5,000 AMERICANS DEFEAT 20,000 MEXICANS.—DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD.—COTTON FACTORY AT SALTILLO.—COTTON MANUFACTURES IN MEXICO.
SOUTHWARD TO SALTILLO.—SANTA CATERINA.—REMARKABLE CAVES.—SCENERY OF THE SIERRA MADRE.—WAY-SIDE ATTRACTIONS.—THE CACTUS; ITS FLOWERS AND MANY VARIETIES.—SALTILLO.—THE ALAMEDA.—MEXICAN CURRENCY.—THE BATTLE-FIELD OF BUENA VISTA.—BY CARRIAGE AND SADDLE.—A NIGHT AT A HACIENDA.—MEXICAN COOKERY.—TORTILLAS, PUCHERO, FRIJOLES, TAMALES, AND OTHER EDIBLES.—HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR FROM MONTEREY TO BUENA VISTA.—5,000 AMERICANS DEFEAT 20,000 MEXICANS.—DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD.—COTTON FACTORY AT SALTILLO.—COTTON MANUFACTURES IN MEXICO.
On resuming their journey through Mexico, Doctor Bronson and his young companions proceeded by the railway southward to Saltillo, sixty-seven miles from Monterey. As they passed Santa Caterina, eight or ten miles beyond Monterey, one of their fellow-passengers told them that there were some interesting caves not very far from the station, and also near Garcia, thirteen miles farther on. A remarkable hole in the mountain near Santa Caterina was pointed out by the same gentleman, but in spite of h
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FROM SALTILLO TO JARAL.—A JOURNEY BY DILIGENCE.—PECULIARITIES OF DILIGENCE TRAVEL.—BRIGANDAGE; HOW THE GOVERNMENT SUPPRESSED IT.—ROBBERS TURNED INTO SOLDIERS.—STORIES OF BRIGANDS AND THEIR WORK; THEIR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.—A CASE OF POLITENESS.—DINNER AT A WAY-SIDE INN.—CHILE CON CARNE.—DESCRIPTION OF CHIHUAHUA.—THE SANTA EULALIA MINES; ROMANTIC STORY OF THEIR DISCOVERY.—TORREON AND LERDO.—COTTON IN TRANSIT.—STATISTICS OF COTTON IN MEXICO.—FRESNILLO.—CALERA.—A BAD BREAKFAST.—ARRIVAL AT ZACATECAS.—LODGED IN AN OLD CONVENT.
FROM SALTILLO TO JARAL.—A JOURNEY BY DILIGENCE.—PECULIARITIES OF DILIGENCE TRAVEL.—BRIGANDAGE; HOW THE GOVERNMENT SUPPRESSED IT.—ROBBERS TURNED INTO SOLDIERS.—STORIES OF BRIGANDS AND THEIR WORK; THEIR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.—A CASE OF POLITENESS.—DINNER AT A WAY-SIDE INN.—CHILE CON CARNE.—DESCRIPTION OF CHIHUAHUA.—THE SANTA EULALIA MINES; ROMANTIC STORY OF THEIR DISCOVERY.—TORREON AND LERDO.—COTTON IN TRANSIT.—STATISTICS OF COTTON IN MEXICO.—FRESNILLO.—CALERA.—A BAD BREAKFAST.—ARRIVAL AT ZACATECAS.—LODGED IN AN OLD CONVENT.
Bright and early the next morning our friends were ready for the journey to Jaral, where they were to connect with the train on the International Railway to carry them farther into Mexico. The distance is about forty miles, and was to be made by diligence, as the railway from Jaral to Saltillo was not then completed. They by no means regretted this, as a ride in one of these vehicles would be a novelty. The boys had read and heard a great deal about diligence travel in Mexico, and were more than
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NAME, POPULATION, AND PECULIARITIES OF ZACATECAS.—THE PILGRIMAGE CHAPEL.—A WEALTHY CATHEDRAL.—STREET SCENES.—MINES OF ZACATECAS.—A DANGEROUS DESCENT.—THE PATIO PROCESS OF REDUCING ORES.—TREADING ORE WITH MULES AND HORSES.—A SORRY SIGHT.—THE MINERS; HOW THEY LIVE AND WORK.—STATISTICS OF SILVER-MINING IN MEXICO.—ASTOUNDING CALCULATIONS.—FROM ZACATECAS TO AGUAS CALIENTES.—FARM SCENES.—FARMING IN MEXICO.—CONDITION OF LABORERS.—MEN AS BEASTS OF BURDEN.—AGUAS CALIENTES.—A BEAUTIFUL CITY.—A PICTURESQUE POPULATION.—WOMEN OF MEXICO.
NAME, POPULATION, AND PECULIARITIES OF ZACATECAS.—THE PILGRIMAGE CHAPEL.—A WEALTHY CATHEDRAL.—STREET SCENES.—MINES OF ZACATECAS.—A DANGEROUS DESCENT.—THE PATIO PROCESS OF REDUCING ORES.—TREADING ORE WITH MULES AND HORSES.—A SORRY SIGHT.—THE MINERS; HOW THEY LIVE AND WORK.—STATISTICS OF SILVER-MINING IN MEXICO.—ASTOUNDING CALCULATIONS.—FROM ZACATECAS TO AGUAS CALIENTES.—FARM SCENES.—FARMING IN MEXICO.—CONDITION OF LABORERS.—MEN AS BEASTS OF BURDEN.—AGUAS CALIENTES.—A BEAUTIFUL CITY.—A PICTURESQUE POPULATION.—WOMEN OF MEXICO.
"What is the meaning of Zacatecas?" Fred asked while the train was bearing them to the city of that name. Neither the Doctor nor Frank could answer the question, and so the desired information was sought from the guide-book. It was found that the name was derived from a tribe of Indians called Zacatecas, and also from a grass that grows there, and is known in Mexico as zacate . It should be remembered that the city is the capital of the State of Zacatecas. As it stands in a ravine, where very li
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SOUTHWARD AGAIN.—CROSSING A BARRANCA.—BARRANCAS IN MEXICO.—LAGOS AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—LEON, THE MANUFACTURING CITY OF MEXICO.—SILAO.—ARRIVAL AT GUANAJUATO.—A SILVER CITY.—THE VALENCIANO MINE.—AN UNHEALTHY PLACE.—BAD DRAINAGE.—A SYSTEM OF RESERVOIRS.—THE CASTILLO DEL GRENADITAS.—AN INDIAN'S ARMOR.—EXPERT THIEVES.—STEALING A GRINDSTONE.—MARKET SCENES.—HEADS OF SHEEP AND GOATS.—SCHOOLS AT GUANAJUATO.—EDUCATION IN MEXICO.—DOWN IN THE RAYAS MINE.—SIGHTS UNDERGROUND.—AN INDIAN WATER-CARRIER.—HOW A SKIN IS TAKEN WHOLE FROM A PIG.—THE REDUCTION HACIENDA.—MR. PARKMAN'S MACHINE.—QUERETARO.—THE HERCULES AND OTHER COTTON-MILLS.
SOUTHWARD AGAIN.—CROSSING A BARRANCA.—BARRANCAS IN MEXICO.—LAGOS AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—LEON, THE MANUFACTURING CITY OF MEXICO.—SILAO.—ARRIVAL AT GUANAJUATO.—A SILVER CITY.—THE VALENCIANO MINE.—AN UNHEALTHY PLACE.—BAD DRAINAGE.—A SYSTEM OF RESERVOIRS.—THE CASTILLO DEL GRENADITAS.—AN INDIAN'S ARMOR.—EXPERT THIEVES.—STEALING A GRINDSTONE.—MARKET SCENES.—HEADS OF SHEEP AND GOATS.—SCHOOLS AT GUANAJUATO.—EDUCATION IN MEXICO.—DOWN IN THE RAYAS MINE.—SIGHTS UNDERGROUND.—AN INDIAN WATER-CARRIER.—HOW A SKIN IS TAKEN WHOLE FROM A PIG.—THE REDUCTION HACIENDA.—MR. PARKMAN'S MACHINE.—QUERETARO.—THE HERCULES AND OTHER COTTON-MILLS.
Satisfied with a day at Aguas Calientes, the party took the south-bound trains and did not stop until reaching Silao, after a run of 130 miles. An hour or more after leaving Aguas Calientes, they crossed the barranca, or cañon, through which the Encarnacion River flows; the bridge by which they crossed it is built of iron, and is more than 700 feet long. It is fully 150 feet above the water, and the view as one looks downward from the centre of the bridge is apt to cause dizziness to a nervous t
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AQUEDUCT AT QUERETARO.—THE RESULT OF A BANTER.—THE HILL OF THE BELLS.—PLACE WHERE MAXIMILIAN WAS SHOT.—REVOLUTIONS IN MEXICO.—FOREIGN INTERVENTION.—MAXIMILIAN BECOMES EMPEROR.—THE "BLACK DECREE."—WITHDRAWAL OF FRENCH TROOPS FROM MEXICO.—MAXIMILIAN'S DEFEAT, CAPTURE, AND DEATH.—HOW A FRENCH NEWSPAPER CIRCUMVENTED THE LAWS.—PRONUNCIAMENTOS.—JUAREZ AS PRESIDENT.—THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF MEXICO.—A WONDERFUL PROPHECY.—PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF JUAREZ.—RELIGION IN MEXICO.—FORMER POWER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.—THE LAWS OF THE REFORM.—PROTESTANT CHURCHES AND PROTESTANT WORK.—MISSIONARY MARTYRS.—MURDER OF REV. J. L. STEPHENS.—RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS AT PRESENT.
AQUEDUCT AT QUERETARO.—THE RESULT OF A BANTER.—THE HILL OF THE BELLS.—PLACE WHERE MAXIMILIAN WAS SHOT.—REVOLUTIONS IN MEXICO.—FOREIGN INTERVENTION.—MAXIMILIAN BECOMES EMPEROR.—THE "BLACK DECREE."—WITHDRAWAL OF FRENCH TROOPS FROM MEXICO.—MAXIMILIAN'S DEFEAT, CAPTURE, AND DEATH.—HOW A FRENCH NEWSPAPER CIRCUMVENTED THE LAWS.—PRONUNCIAMENTOS.—JUAREZ AS PRESIDENT.—THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF MEXICO.—A WONDERFUL PROPHECY.—PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF JUAREZ.—RELIGION IN MEXICO.—FORMER POWER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.—THE LAWS OF THE REFORM.—PROTESTANT CHURCHES AND PROTESTANT WORK.—MISSIONARY MARTYRS.—MURDER OF REV. J. L. STEPHENS.—RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS AT PRESENT.
One of the first things to attract the attention of the youths was the aqueduct by which Queretaro is supplied with water. They learned on inquiry that it was built by one of the citizens at an expense of half a million dollars; the story goes that it was the result of a banter between him and another wealthy Mexican, one offering to supply the city with water if the other would build a shrine and saint of solid silver. The offer was accepted, and the agreement carried out by both parties. The w
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FROM QUERETARO TO THE CAPITAL.—PLAIN OF THE CAZADERO.—TULA.—THE GREAT SPANISH DRAINAGE-CUT.—DISASTROUS INUNDATIONS OF MEXICO CITY.—A PUZZLE FOR ENGINEERS.—ARRIVAL AT THE CAPITAL.—HOTEL LIFE.—RESTAURANTS, AND THE MODE OF LIVING.—AMUSING STORIES OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT.—FONDAS AND FONDITAS.—MEN FOR CHAMBER-MAIDS.—ALMUERZO.—A MORNING STROLL ALONG THE STREETS.—WOMEN ON THEIR WAY TO MASS.—THE MANTILLA.—SELLERS OF SACRED THINGS.—DEALERS IN LOTTERY TICKETS.—LOTTERIES RUN BY GOVERNMENT.—ATTENDING A DRAWING.—HOW THE AFFAIR WAS CONDUCTED.—FLOWER-SELLERS.
FROM QUERETARO TO THE CAPITAL.—PLAIN OF THE CAZADERO.—TULA.—THE GREAT SPANISH DRAINAGE-CUT.—DISASTROUS INUNDATIONS OF MEXICO CITY.—A PUZZLE FOR ENGINEERS.—ARRIVAL AT THE CAPITAL.—HOTEL LIFE.—RESTAURANTS, AND THE MODE OF LIVING.—AMUSING STORIES OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT.—FONDAS AND FONDITAS.—MEN FOR CHAMBER-MAIDS.—ALMUERZO.—A MORNING STROLL ALONG THE STREETS.—WOMEN ON THEIR WAY TO MASS.—THE MANTILLA.—SELLERS OF SACRED THINGS.—DEALERS IN LOTTERY TICKETS.—LOTTERIES RUN BY GOVERNMENT.—ATTENDING A DRAWING.—HOW THE AFFAIR WAS CONDUCTED.—FLOWER-SELLERS.
From Queretaro to the City of Mexico is a distance of 150 miles. The route of the railway lies through a region which is excellent both for agriculture and stock raising. Frank and Fred wished to stop at one of the cattle haciendas, but the Doctor said they would have an opportunity to see one of these establishments at a later date; so they continued to the capital without making a halt after leaving Queretaro. They crossed the plain of the Cazadero, which obtains its name from an incident of t
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THE CATHEDRAL OF MEXICO.—SITE OF THE AZTEC TEOCALLI.—HUMAN SACRIFICES.—PANORAMA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.—EXTENT AND COST OF THE CATHEDRAL; CHAPELS AND ALTARS.—TOMB OF ITURBIDE.—THE CAREER AND TRAGIC END OF ITURBIDE.—THE RICHEST ALTAR IN THE WORLD.—GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS A MAN COULD NOT LIFT.—THE AZTEC CALENDAR-STONE; ITS INTERESTING FEATURES; INSCRIPTION ON THE STONE.—BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE AZTECS.—THE TRIBE CALLED MEXICANS.—AZTEC LAWS AND CUSTOMS.—PREVALENCE OF THE DEATH PENALTY.—AZTEC POSTING SYSTEM.—PICTURE-WRITING.—FLOWER-SHOW IN THE ZOCALO.—A FASHIONABLE ASSEMBLAGE.—WONDERFUL WORK IN FEATHERS.
THE CATHEDRAL OF MEXICO.—SITE OF THE AZTEC TEOCALLI.—HUMAN SACRIFICES.—PANORAMA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.—EXTENT AND COST OF THE CATHEDRAL; CHAPELS AND ALTARS.—TOMB OF ITURBIDE.—THE CAREER AND TRAGIC END OF ITURBIDE.—THE RICHEST ALTAR IN THE WORLD.—GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS A MAN COULD NOT LIFT.—THE AZTEC CALENDAR-STONE; ITS INTERESTING FEATURES; INSCRIPTION ON THE STONE.—BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE AZTECS.—THE TRIBE CALLED MEXICANS.—AZTEC LAWS AND CUSTOMS.—PREVALENCE OF THE DEATH PENALTY.—AZTEC POSTING SYSTEM.—PICTURE-WRITING.—FLOWER-SHOW IN THE ZOCALO.—A FASHIONABLE ASSEMBLAGE.—WONDERFUL WORK IN FEATHERS.
"In Paris," said Frank in his note-book, "the Church of Notre Dame is the first object of interest to the stranger. In Vienna he goes first to St. Stephen's, and in Rome to St. Peter's. So in the capital of Mexico we go first to the cathedral. "It is a magnificent building, and would do honor to any of the capitals of Europe. The spot where it stands is historic; the Spaniards destroyed the Aztec city that stood here, and built their own upon its ruins, and where now stands the cathedral the Teo
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LOST ARTS IN MEXICO.—GOLDSMITHS' WORK IN THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—SILVER FILIGREE.—MODELLING IN WAX AND CLAY.—NATIVE TASTE FOR MUSIC.—NATIONAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.—MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES.—THE SACRIFICIAL STONE.—SACRIFICES AMONG THE ANCIENT MEXICANS.—GLADIATORIAL STONE.—A BRAVE SOLDIER.—OBSIDIAN KNIVES AND RAZORS.—AZTEC METALLURGY.—STATUE OF THE GOD OF WAR.—SHIELD AND CLOAK OF MONTEZUMA.—AZTEC WARFARE AND DOMESTIC LIFE.—RELICS OF HIDALGO AND MAXIMILIAN.—MAX'S STATE COACH.—NATIONAL PALACE.—HALL OF THE AMBASSADORS.—MEXICAN PAINTINGS.—THE MONTE DE PIEDAD.—AN EXTENSIVE PAWN-SHOP.—LOCKING UP MEN AS SECURITY.—FORMALITIES OF THE SALESROOM.
LOST ARTS IN MEXICO.—GOLDSMITHS' WORK IN THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—SILVER FILIGREE.—MODELLING IN WAX AND CLAY.—NATIVE TASTE FOR MUSIC.—NATIONAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.—MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES.—THE SACRIFICIAL STONE.—SACRIFICES AMONG THE ANCIENT MEXICANS.—GLADIATORIAL STONE.—A BRAVE SOLDIER.—OBSIDIAN KNIVES AND RAZORS.—AZTEC METALLURGY.—STATUE OF THE GOD OF WAR.—SHIELD AND CLOAK OF MONTEZUMA.—AZTEC WARFARE AND DOMESTIC LIFE.—RELICS OF HIDALGO AND MAXIMILIAN.—MAX'S STATE COACH.—NATIONAL PALACE.—HALL OF THE AMBASSADORS.—MEXICAN PAINTINGS.—THE MONTE DE PIEDAD.—AN EXTENSIVE PAWN-SHOP.—LOCKING UP MEN AS SECURITY.—FORMALITIES OF THE SALESROOM.
Fine as is the artistic taste of the Indians of Mexico to-day, it is far behind that of the people whom Cortez found there. According to history and tradition, their work in the precious metals surpassed that of any of the goldsmiths of Europe; they fashioned gold and silver into the shape of plants, birds, fishes, and quadrupeds, and their imitations were marvellously correct in all their details. All this art seems to be lost, with the exception of the working of silver filigree, which still h
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MEXICAN POLITENESS.—FREE GIFTS OF HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY.—AWKWARD MISTAKES.—AN ENGLISHWOMAN'S DILEMMA, AND HOW SHE GOT OUT OF IT.—UNCLE FREDDY AND THE GOVERNOR OF ACAPULCO.—THE GREAT MARKET; SIGHTS AND SCENES THERE.—ON THE CANAL.—EXTENSIVE LOCAL COMMERCE.—THE CHINAMPAS, OR FLOATING GARDENS.—AN EXCURSION ON THE LAKES.—SANTA ANITA, A PLACE OF RECREATION.—EXPERTS IN DIVING.—THE HILL OF ESTRELLA.—THE FESTIVAL OF FIRE; PRESCOTT'S DESCRIPTION OF THE FEARFUL CEREMONY.—FISHING IN THE LAKES.—THE AXOLOTL.—FISH OR REPTILE?—FLIES' EGGS AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD.
MEXICAN POLITENESS.—FREE GIFTS OF HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY.—AWKWARD MISTAKES.—AN ENGLISHWOMAN'S DILEMMA, AND HOW SHE GOT OUT OF IT.—UNCLE FREDDY AND THE GOVERNOR OF ACAPULCO.—THE GREAT MARKET; SIGHTS AND SCENES THERE.—ON THE CANAL.—EXTENSIVE LOCAL COMMERCE.—THE CHINAMPAS, OR FLOATING GARDENS.—AN EXCURSION ON THE LAKES.—SANTA ANITA, A PLACE OF RECREATION.—EXPERTS IN DIVING.—THE HILL OF ESTRELLA.—THE FESTIVAL OF FIRE; PRESCOTT'S DESCRIPTION OF THE FEARFUL CEREMONY.—FISHING IN THE LAKES.—THE AXOLOTL.—FISH OR REPTILE?—FLIES' EGGS AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD.
"We have been much impressed and amused," said Fred in a letter to his mother, "with the Mexican, or, rather, the Spanish, forms of politeness. Whenever we are introduced to anybody, he immediately says, 'Remember that your house is at No. — on —— Street,' notwithstanding that we may have told him we are comfortably quartered at the hotel. In one day a dozen or twenty houses were offered to us; and ever since then, if no more than two or three are tendered between sunrise and bed-time, we think
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COURTSHIP IN MEXICO.—"PLAYING THE BEAR."—LOVERS' TROUBLES.—A SHORT ROAD TO MATRIMONY.—PRESENTS TO THE EXPECTANT BRIDE.—THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.—TEDIOUS PRELIMINARIES.—CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS MARRIAGES.—DIFFERENCES OF MARRIAGE AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE UPPER CLASSES.—A HAND-BOOK FOR LOVERS.—FUNERALS; HOW THEY ARE MANAGED.—CARDS OF CONDOLENCE.—CEMETERIES.—MONUMENT TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS.—ANNUAL DEATH-RATE IN MEXICO CITY.—PREVALENT DISEASES.—DOMESTIC SERVANTS; THEIR NUMBER, WAGES, AND MODE OF LIFE.—A PECULIAR LAUNDRY SYSTEM.
COURTSHIP IN MEXICO.—"PLAYING THE BEAR."—LOVERS' TROUBLES.—A SHORT ROAD TO MATRIMONY.—PRESENTS TO THE EXPECTANT BRIDE.—THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.—TEDIOUS PRELIMINARIES.—CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS MARRIAGES.—DIFFERENCES OF MARRIAGE AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE UPPER CLASSES.—A HAND-BOOK FOR LOVERS.—FUNERALS; HOW THEY ARE MANAGED.—CARDS OF CONDOLENCE.—CEMETERIES.—MONUMENT TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS.—ANNUAL DEATH-RATE IN MEXICO CITY.—PREVALENT DISEASES.—DOMESTIC SERVANTS; THEIR NUMBER, WAGES, AND MODE OF LIFE.—A PECULIAR LAUNDRY SYSTEM.
One day while Frank and Fred were strolling along the streets, observing the people and their ways, studying the architecture, and making other observations, according to their custom, their attention was drawn to a young man who was walking slowly up and down in front of a house. His movements were so peculiar that Frank asked their guide what the man was about. "Oh, he's playing the bear!" was the reply. "And what is 'playing the bear?' I would like to know," the youth responded. "He's making
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SCULPTURE AND PAINTING IN MEXICO.—NATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE FINE ARTS.—BRIEF HISTORY OF MEXICAN ART.—CELEBRATED PAINTINGS.—"LAS CASAS PROTECTING THE AZTECS."—"THE DEATH OF ATALA."—HOW AN ARTIST MANAGED TO SELL A PICTURE.—FROM ART TO PULQUERIAS.—THE NATIONAL BEVERAGE OF MEXICO.—THE MAGUEY PLANT.—HOW PULQUE IS MADE.—COLLECTING THE SAP.—FERMENTING AGUAMIEL.—DAILY CONSUMPTION OF PULQUE IN THE CITY OF MEXICO.—MANAGEMENT OF THE SHOPS.—ROMANTIC HISTORY OF THE INVENTION OF PULQUE.—MEXICAN POLICE-COURTS.—NOVEL MODE OF TRYING CASES.—THE BELEM PRISON.—CATALOGUE OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE LAW.—AN ADROIT THIEF.—RUNNING THE GANTLET.
SCULPTURE AND PAINTING IN MEXICO.—NATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE FINE ARTS.—BRIEF HISTORY OF MEXICAN ART.—CELEBRATED PAINTINGS.—"LAS CASAS PROTECTING THE AZTECS."—"THE DEATH OF ATALA."—HOW AN ARTIST MANAGED TO SELL A PICTURE.—FROM ART TO PULQUERIAS.—THE NATIONAL BEVERAGE OF MEXICO.—THE MAGUEY PLANT.—HOW PULQUE IS MADE.—COLLECTING THE SAP.—FERMENTING AGUAMIEL.—DAILY CONSUMPTION OF PULQUE IN THE CITY OF MEXICO.—MANAGEMENT OF THE SHOPS.—ROMANTIC HISTORY OF THE INVENTION OF PULQUE.—MEXICAN POLICE-COURTS.—NOVEL MODE OF TRYING CASES.—THE BELEM PRISON.—CATALOGUE OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE LAW.—AN ADROIT THIEF.—RUNNING THE GANTLET.
From laundries to the fine arts is a step from the practical to the æsthetic. After finishing their account of Mexican domestic service, Frank and Fred accompanied Doctor Bronson in a visit to the National School of Fine Arts, which is commonly spoken of as the Academy of San Carlos. It must not be understood that this was their first visit to this excellent institution; they had been there several times, and it was their intention to continue to look at the paintings in the Academy whenever the
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THE PASEO DE LA REFORMA.—BRIGANDAGE NEAR THE CITY.—STATUE OF CHARLES IV. OF SPAIN.—STATUE OF COLUMBUS.—A RELIC OF MAXIMILIAN.—AQUEDUCTS FROM CHAPULTEPEC.—MONTEZUMA'S TREE.—CHAPULTEPEC; ITS HEIGHT AND EXTENT.—MONTEZUMA'S BATH.—THE PALACE.—"THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR."—NATIONAL MILITARY COLLEGE.—MOLINO DEL REY.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ADVANCE UPON MEXICO.—CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ.—BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO.—ENTERING THE VALLEY.—CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO.—FALL OF CHAPULTEPEC.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY.—TREATY OF PEACE.—GENERAL GRANT ON THE MEXICAN WAR.
THE PASEO DE LA REFORMA.—BRIGANDAGE NEAR THE CITY.—STATUE OF CHARLES IV. OF SPAIN.—STATUE OF COLUMBUS.—A RELIC OF MAXIMILIAN.—AQUEDUCTS FROM CHAPULTEPEC.—MONTEZUMA'S TREE.—CHAPULTEPEC; ITS HEIGHT AND EXTENT.—MONTEZUMA'S BATH.—THE PALACE.—"THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR."—NATIONAL MILITARY COLLEGE.—MOLINO DEL REY.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ADVANCE UPON MEXICO.—CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ.—BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO.—ENTERING THE VALLEY.—CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO.—FALL OF CHAPULTEPEC.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY.—TREATY OF PEACE.—GENERAL GRANT ON THE MEXICAN WAR.
One of the most attractive drives in the neighborhood of Mexico is along the Paseo de la Reforma, the avenue leading to Chapultepec. In point of fact, it is generally the first drive taken by a visitor, and he is pretty certain to be favorably impressed with it. Chapultepec was a royal residence before the Conquest; during the Spanish rule it was the home of the viceroys, and since that time the President of the republic has generally lived there when he could live at all in the city or its vici
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THE NOCHE TRISTE TREE.—A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO.—DEPARTURE OF CORTEZ FROM CUBA.—HE LANDS IN YUCATAN.—FOUNDING THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ.—DEFEATING THE TLASCALANS.—ENTRANCE TO TENOCHTITLAN.—RECEPTION BY MONTEZUMA.—RETURN TO THE COAST.—EXPULSION OF THE SPANIARDS.—BESIEGING THE CITY WITH THE AID OF THE TLASCALANS.—CAPTURE OF THE CITY, AND DEATH OF GUATEMOZIN.—BEGINNING OF THE RULE OF THE VICEROYS.—THE CHURCH OF GUADALUPE.—STORY OF THE MIRACULOUS APPARITION.—RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL HOLIDAY.—PILGRIMAGE TO GUADALUPE.—PENITENTES; THEIR SELF-INFLICTED TORTURES.
THE NOCHE TRISTE TREE.—A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO.—DEPARTURE OF CORTEZ FROM CUBA.—HE LANDS IN YUCATAN.—FOUNDING THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ.—DEFEATING THE TLASCALANS.—ENTRANCE TO TENOCHTITLAN.—RECEPTION BY MONTEZUMA.—RETURN TO THE COAST.—EXPULSION OF THE SPANIARDS.—BESIEGING THE CITY WITH THE AID OF THE TLASCALANS.—CAPTURE OF THE CITY, AND DEATH OF GUATEMOZIN.—BEGINNING OF THE RULE OF THE VICEROYS.—THE CHURCH OF GUADALUPE.—STORY OF THE MIRACULOUS APPARITION.—RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL HOLIDAY.—PILGRIMAGE TO GUADALUPE.—PENITENTES; THEIR SELF-INFLICTED TORTURES.
The tree of Montezuma and the traditions connected with it called the attention of the youths to another famous tree of Mexico. It was the Arbol de la Noche Triste , or tree of the mournful night. When it was mentioned to Doctor Bronson the latter said: "Before we go there I wish you to inform yourselves about the tree, so that we can talk intelligently concerning its historical associations." Frank and Fred promised to comply with his request; and in their case a promise was equivalent to its p
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AREA AND INHABITANTS OF MEXICO.—CHARACTER OF THE POPULATION.—INDIANS, EUROPEANS, AND MESTIZOS; THEIR RESPECTIVE NUMBERS AND CHARACTERISTICS.—INCLINATIONS OF THE MIXED RACES.—TENDENCIES OF EDUCATED INDIANS.—PRESIDENT JUAREZ AS AN EXAMPLE.—HOW THE INDIANS LIVE.—HOW THE SPANIARDS TOOK POSSESSION OF THE LAND.—CREOLES AND THEIR ORIGIN.—THE MESTIZOS.—LEPEROS AND THEIR CHARACTER.—ADROIT THIEVES.—PAWNING A CHURCH ORGAN.—THE LEPEROS AND THE BRIGANDS.—CHURCH OF SAN DOMINGO.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE INQUISITION IN MEXICO.—THE AUTO-DA-FÉ.
AREA AND INHABITANTS OF MEXICO.—CHARACTER OF THE POPULATION.—INDIANS, EUROPEANS, AND MESTIZOS; THEIR RESPECTIVE NUMBERS AND CHARACTERISTICS.—INCLINATIONS OF THE MIXED RACES.—TENDENCIES OF EDUCATED INDIANS.—PRESIDENT JUAREZ AS AN EXAMPLE.—HOW THE INDIANS LIVE.—HOW THE SPANIARDS TOOK POSSESSION OF THE LAND.—CREOLES AND THEIR ORIGIN.—THE MESTIZOS.—LEPEROS AND THEIR CHARACTER.—ADROIT THIEVES.—PAWNING A CHURCH ORGAN.—THE LEPEROS AND THE BRIGANDS.—CHURCH OF SAN DOMINGO.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE INQUISITION IN MEXICO.—THE AUTO-DA-FÉ.
On the day following the visit to the church of Guadalupe Doctor Bronson was occupied with some business matters that rendered his movements somewhat uncertain. Frank and Fred thought it a good opportunity to make some statistical notes about Mexico which they had been for some time contemplating, but had postponed in consequence of there being no hurry about the matter. The figures were at hand whenever they chose to use them, and so they had no anxiety on the subject. "First," said Fred, "we w
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ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL.—"THE WHITE WOMAN."—GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE VOLCANO.—FIRST ASCENT BY WHITE MEN.—AMECAMECA.—HIRING HORSES AND BUYING PROVISIONS.—EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXCURSION.—DANGER OF ROBBERS.—PEONS AND VOLCANEROS.—FIELDS OF BARLEY AND FORESTS OF PINE.—AN INDIAN TRADITION.—FATE OF THE GIANT AND GIANTESS.—ICE FROM POPOCATEPETL FOR THE CITY OF MEXICO.—SULPHUR FROM THE CRATER.—SLEEPING AT TLAMACAS.—ARRIVAL AT LA CRUZ.—THE ASCENT ON FOOT.—DIFFICULTIES OF CLIMBING IN THE RAREFIED AIR.—THE PICO DEL FRAILE.—CAUGHT IN A CLOUD.
ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL.—"THE WHITE WOMAN."—GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE VOLCANO.—FIRST ASCENT BY WHITE MEN.—AMECAMECA.—HIRING HORSES AND BUYING PROVISIONS.—EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXCURSION.—DANGER OF ROBBERS.—PEONS AND VOLCANEROS.—FIELDS OF BARLEY AND FORESTS OF PINE.—AN INDIAN TRADITION.—FATE OF THE GIANT AND GIANTESS.—ICE FROM POPOCATEPETL FOR THE CITY OF MEXICO.—SULPHUR FROM THE CRATER.—SLEEPING AT TLAMACAS.—ARRIVAL AT LA CRUZ.—THE ASCENT ON FOOT.—DIFFICULTIES OF CLIMBING IN THE RAREFIED AIR.—THE PICO DEL FRAILE.—CAUGHT IN A CLOUD.
It was the most natural thing in the world that the daily view of the snow-covered mountains, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, roused in the youths a desire to ascend to the top of the former. Doctor Bronson was not ambitious to undertake the expedition, but he encouraged the youths in their desire, and arranged to accompany them as far as the foot of the cone, where the saddle-horses are left. Frank was appointed the historian of the affair, and performed his work in a manner that secured the hea
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RAPACIOUS CARGADORES.—OLD BOOK-STORES IN THE PORTALES.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE MEXICAN CAPITAL; THE PUPILS IN ATTENDANCE.—THEATRES AND HOSPITALS.—A THEATRE SUPPORTING A HOSPITAL.—THE BROTHERS OF CHARITY.—INSIDE THE THEATRES.—A PERFORMANCE OF OPERA.—A MINOR THEATRE.—LISTENING TO A MEXICAN PERFORMANCE.—BULL-FIGHTING IN MEXICO.—A DISGRACEFUL SPORT.—ORIGIN OF THE BULL-FIGHT.—MARIONETTE THEATRES.—THE PROCESSIONS.—MEXICAN LOVE FOR COCK-FIGHTING.—COMMINGLING OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIALS AND AMUSEMENTS.—THE POSADA AND THE PASTORELA; THEIR PECULIARITIES.—KILLING JUDAS.
RAPACIOUS CARGADORES.—OLD BOOK-STORES IN THE PORTALES.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE MEXICAN CAPITAL; THE PUPILS IN ATTENDANCE.—THEATRES AND HOSPITALS.—A THEATRE SUPPORTING A HOSPITAL.—THE BROTHERS OF CHARITY.—INSIDE THE THEATRES.—A PERFORMANCE OF OPERA.—A MINOR THEATRE.—LISTENING TO A MEXICAN PERFORMANCE.—BULL-FIGHTING IN MEXICO.—A DISGRACEFUL SPORT.—ORIGIN OF THE BULL-FIGHT.—MARIONETTE THEATRES.—THE PROCESSIONS.—MEXICAN LOVE FOR COCK-FIGHTING.—COMMINGLING OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIALS AND AMUSEMENTS.—THE POSADA AND THE PASTORELA; THEIR PECULIARITIES.—KILLING JUDAS.
The train by which our friends returned to the capital left Amecameca at 1.20 in the afternoon, and reached the San Lazero station at 4 o'clock. A crowd of cargadores swooped down on the baggage, and for a time threatened to disappear with it in as many directions as there were single pieces, but by dint of watchfulness and energy it was rescued and placed in charge of a runner from the hotel. The Morelos, or Interoceanic Railway, the one by which the party had travelled, is distinctively a Mexi
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EXCURSION TO TULA.—AN ANCIENT CITY OF THE TOLTECS.—CHURCH OF THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE TOLTECS.—TOLTEC KINGS, COURTS, AND KNIGHTHOOD.—RUINS OF THE TEMPLE AND PALACE.—JOURNEY TO MORELOS.—INTEROCEANIC RAILWAY.—MORELOS AND HIS SERVICES TO MEXICO.—CUAUTLA AND ITS ATTRACTIONS.—TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—DOWN THE SOUTHERN SLOPE.—IN TIERRA CALIENTE.—VISITING A SUGAR ESTATE.—TO YAUTEPEC AND CUERNAVACA.—RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.—SITUATION OF CUERNAVACA.—OLD CHURCH AND PALACE OF CORTEZ.—A FORTUNATE FRENCHMAN.—ROMANTIC INCIDENT IN THE CAPTURE OF CUERNAVACA.
EXCURSION TO TULA.—AN ANCIENT CITY OF THE TOLTECS.—CHURCH OF THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE TOLTECS.—TOLTEC KINGS, COURTS, AND KNIGHTHOOD.—RUINS OF THE TEMPLE AND PALACE.—JOURNEY TO MORELOS.—INTEROCEANIC RAILWAY.—MORELOS AND HIS SERVICES TO MEXICO.—CUAUTLA AND ITS ATTRACTIONS.—TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—DOWN THE SOUTHERN SLOPE.—IN TIERRA CALIENTE.—VISITING A SUGAR ESTATE.—TO YAUTEPEC AND CUERNAVACA.—RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.—SITUATION OF CUERNAVACA.—OLD CHURCH AND PALACE OF CORTEZ.—A FORTUNATE FRENCHMAN.—ROMANTIC INCIDENT IN THE CAPTURE OF CUERNAVACA.
One of the volumes in which our young friends were interested during their stay in Mexico was "The Ancient Cities of the New World," by M. Charnay. The perusal of this book led them to wish to visit Tula, which is famous for having been a city of the Toltecs, and a flourishing place at the time of the Conquest. Leaving the city of Mexico at half-past seven o'clock one morning by the Central Railway, they reached Tula at 9.40 a.m .; the distance is about fifty miles, and the route is the same as
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OVERLAND TO ACAPULCO.—SCENES OF LONG AGO.—PRESENT MODE OF TRAVEL.—TEN DAYS ON HORSEBACK.—WAY-SIDE ACCOMMODATIONS.—ACAPULCO'S HARBOR.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.—EXCURSION TO GUADALAJARA.—DOCTOR BRONSON LEFT BEHIND.—OLD BRIDGES AND THEIR HISTORY.—BATTLE BETWEEN HIDALGO AND THE SPANIARDS.—STORIES ABOUT BRIGANDS.—SLAUGHTER BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.—HOW SEÑOR PEREZ SECURED PEACE.—ATTRACTIONS OF GUADALAJARA.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CHURCHES.—THE GREAT HOSPICIO.—WHAT THE EARTHQUAKE DID.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS.—A DAY ON A CATTLE HACIENDA.—A RODEO.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.
OVERLAND TO ACAPULCO.—SCENES OF LONG AGO.—PRESENT MODE OF TRAVEL.—TEN DAYS ON HORSEBACK.—WAY-SIDE ACCOMMODATIONS.—ACAPULCO'S HARBOR.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.—EXCURSION TO GUADALAJARA.—DOCTOR BRONSON LEFT BEHIND.—OLD BRIDGES AND THEIR HISTORY.—BATTLE BETWEEN HIDALGO AND THE SPANIARDS.—STORIES ABOUT BRIGANDS.—SLAUGHTER BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.—HOW SEÑOR PEREZ SECURED PEACE.—ATTRACTIONS OF GUADALAJARA.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CHURCHES.—THE GREAT HOSPICIO.—WHAT THE EARTHQUAKE DID.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS.—A DAY ON A CATTLE HACIENDA.—A RODEO.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.
At Cuernavaca our friends learned that they were on the road from Vera Cruz and Mexico to Acapulco, and the youths greatly wished to continue to the Pacific Ocean. It is the old route of commerce between Spain and Asia, and was travelled for hundreds of years by long trains of pack-mules laden with the products of the Orient on their way to Europe, and with those of Mexico and Europe destined for Asia. It seems incredible that such a route should have been so long maintained across the continent
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INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT DIAZ; HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND HISTORY.—A CHECKERED CAREER.—SAVED FROM THE SEA.—THE FAITHFUL PURSER AND HIS REWARD.—CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAZ'S ADMINISTRATION.—MADAME DIAZ.—A DIPLOMATIC MARRIAGE.—THE ARMY AND NAVY OF MEXICO.—THE POSTAL SERVICE.—NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.—PRINCIPAL WRITERS OF FICTION.—FROM MEXICO TO PUEBLA.—HOW THE MEXICAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.—DIFFICULTIES OF ENGINEERING.—APIZACO.—THE CITY OF THE ANGELS; ITS CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CURIOSITIES.—MANUFACTURES OF PUEBLA.—BATTLE-FIELD OF CINCO DE MAYO.
INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT DIAZ; HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND HISTORY.—A CHECKERED CAREER.—SAVED FROM THE SEA.—THE FAITHFUL PURSER AND HIS REWARD.—CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAZ'S ADMINISTRATION.—MADAME DIAZ.—A DIPLOMATIC MARRIAGE.—THE ARMY AND NAVY OF MEXICO.—THE POSTAL SERVICE.—NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.—PRINCIPAL WRITERS OF FICTION.—FROM MEXICO TO PUEBLA.—HOW THE MEXICAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.—DIFFICULTIES OF ENGINEERING.—APIZACO.—THE CITY OF THE ANGELS; ITS CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CURIOSITIES.—MANUFACTURES OF PUEBLA.—BATTLE-FIELD OF CINCO DE MAYO.
It was a fortunate thing for the youths that they did not remain another day at the cattle-hacienda of Señor Sanchez. After listening to a short account of what they had seen, Doctor Bronson told them that he had a pleasurable surprise in store for the next day. "If it's a surprise," said Frank, "I suppose we must wait and ask no questions." "There's no occasion for secrecy," responded the Doctor. "The American Minister has arranged for me to have an interview to-morrow with the President of the
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FURTHER SIGHTS IN PUEBLA.—ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS.—SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, ASYLUMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.—CHOLULA AND ITS GREAT PYRAMID.—FIRST SIGHT OF THE PYRAMID; ITS CHARACTER, SIZE, AND PECULIARITIES.—ANCIENT CHOLULA.—MASSACRE OF INHABITANTS BY CORTEZ.—RUMORS OF BURIED TREASURES.—HOW A CRAFTY PRIEST WAS FOILED.—VISIT TO TLASCALA.—THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN SESSION.—BANNER CARRIED BY CORTEZ.—FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.—ANCIENT PULPIT AND BAPTISMAL FONT.—A REVERED SHRINE.—FROM TLASCALA TO APIZACO AND ONWARD TOWARDS THE GULF.
FURTHER SIGHTS IN PUEBLA.—ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS.—SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, ASYLUMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.—CHOLULA AND ITS GREAT PYRAMID.—FIRST SIGHT OF THE PYRAMID; ITS CHARACTER, SIZE, AND PECULIARITIES.—ANCIENT CHOLULA.—MASSACRE OF INHABITANTS BY CORTEZ.—RUMORS OF BURIED TREASURES.—HOW A CRAFTY PRIEST WAS FOILED.—VISIT TO TLASCALA.—THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN SESSION.—BANNER CARRIED BY CORTEZ.—FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.—ANCIENT PULPIT AND BAPTISMAL FONT.—A REVERED SHRINE.—FROM TLASCALA TO APIZACO AND ONWARD TOWARDS THE GULF.
"In the height of its glory," said Fred, "Puebla contained more than ninety churches. In 1869 it had sixty churches, nine monasteries, twenty-one collegiate houses, thirteen nunneries, and numerous chapels and shrines. The confiscation of ecclesiastical property has reduced the number of the churches to little more than twenty, abolished the nunneries and all the monasteries except two, which are really hospitals or almshouses for old and disabled priests. Some of the confiscated buildings have
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DOWN THE CUMBRES.—A MONSTER LOCOMOTIVE.—MALTRATA.—EL BARRANCA DEL INFERNILLO.—IN THE TIERRA TEMPLADA.—PEAK OF ORIZABA; HOW IT WAS ASCENDED.—AN OLD AND QUAINT TOWN.—EXCURSIONS IN THE ENVIRONS OF ORIZABA.—FALLS OF THE RINCON GRANDE.—MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.—CERRO DEL BORREGO.—THE MEXICAN ARMY ROUTED.—CORDOBA.—HOW TO RUN A COFFEE PLANTATION.—BARRANCA OF METLAC.—PASO DEL MACHO.—TIERRA CALIENTE.—DRY LANDS NEAR THE SEA-COAST.—VERA CRUZ.—ZOPILOTES AND THEIR USES.—YELLOW FEVER; ITS SEASONS AND PECULIARITIES.—NORTHERS AND THEIR BENEFITS.
DOWN THE CUMBRES.—A MONSTER LOCOMOTIVE.—MALTRATA.—EL BARRANCA DEL INFERNILLO.—IN THE TIERRA TEMPLADA.—PEAK OF ORIZABA; HOW IT WAS ASCENDED.—AN OLD AND QUAINT TOWN.—EXCURSIONS IN THE ENVIRONS OF ORIZABA.—FALLS OF THE RINCON GRANDE.—MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.—CERRO DEL BORREGO.—THE MEXICAN ARMY ROUTED.—CORDOBA.—HOW TO RUN A COFFEE PLANTATION.—BARRANCA OF METLAC.—PASO DEL MACHO.—TIERRA CALIENTE.—DRY LANDS NEAR THE SEA-COAST.—VERA CRUZ.—ZOPILOTES AND THEIR USES.—YELLOW FEVER; ITS SEASONS AND PECULIARITIES.—NORTHERS AND THEIR BENEFITS.
The plateau terminates suddenly at Boca del Monte, and here begins the descent of the cumbres . At Esperanza the train exchanged the ordinary locomotive for a monster one of great power; it looked like two locomotives placed end to end with a tender between them, and was specially built to take the trains over the extraordinary grades on this part of the road. High speed was out of the question, or at all events dangerous, and in descending the slope the train moved not faster than fifteen miles
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THE ALAMEDA OF VERA CRUZ.—TROPICAL GROWTHS.—THE PALO DE LECHE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—A DANGEROUS PLANT.—FOUNTAINS AND WATER-CARRIERS.—GOVERNOR'S PALACE.—BRIEF HISTORY OF VERA CRUZ.—PILLAGED BY PIRATES AND CAPTURED IN WARS.—FORTRESS OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.—HORRORS OF A MEXICAN PRISON.—EXCURSION TO JALAPA.—THE NATIONAL BRIDGE.—CERRO GORDO.—GENERAL SCOTT'S VICTORY.—JALAPA.—A CITY OF MISTS.—STAPLE PRODUCTS OF THE REGION.—JALAP AND ITS QUALITIES.—PRETTY WOMEN.—PECULIARITIES OF THE STREETS.—ORIZABA AND PEROTE.—NEW RAILWAY CONNECTIONS.—TAMPICO AND ANTON LIZARDO.—DELAYED BY A NORTHER.—DEPARTURE BY STEAMER.—FAREWELL TO VERA CRUZ.
THE ALAMEDA OF VERA CRUZ.—TROPICAL GROWTHS.—THE PALO DE LECHE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—A DANGEROUS PLANT.—FOUNTAINS AND WATER-CARRIERS.—GOVERNOR'S PALACE.—BRIEF HISTORY OF VERA CRUZ.—PILLAGED BY PIRATES AND CAPTURED IN WARS.—FORTRESS OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.—HORRORS OF A MEXICAN PRISON.—EXCURSION TO JALAPA.—THE NATIONAL BRIDGE.—CERRO GORDO.—GENERAL SCOTT'S VICTORY.—JALAPA.—A CITY OF MISTS.—STAPLE PRODUCTS OF THE REGION.—JALAP AND ITS QUALITIES.—PRETTY WOMEN.—PECULIARITIES OF THE STREETS.—ORIZABA AND PEROTE.—NEW RAILWAY CONNECTIONS.—TAMPICO AND ANTON LIZARDO.—DELAYED BY A NORTHER.—DEPARTURE BY STEAMER.—FAREWELL TO VERA CRUZ.
The walk of our young friends took them to the Alameda, which proved unusually attractive, as it was filled with tropical plants and trees to which their eyes had not been accustomed in the upland region. They welcomed the palm-trees as old friends; the palm does not flourish in Mexico at a greater elevation than 1500 feet above the level of the sea excepting under peculiarly favorable circumstances. The palms of Vera Cruz are finely developed, but they do not attain the size of those at Medelli
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THE COATZACOALCOS RIVER.—ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC.—TEHUANTEPEC RAILWAY AND SHIP-CANAL.—THE EADS SHIP-RAILWAY.—AN IDEA OF CORTEZ.—PLANS OF CAPTAIN EADS.—A RAILWAY-CARRIAGE WITH 1200 WHEELS.—SHIPS CARRIED IN TANKS.—ENGINEERING AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE SHIP-RAILWAY.—MAHOGANY TRADE.—FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THREE LOGS.—FRONTERA AND TABASCO.—RUINS OF PALENQUE.—LORILLARD CITY.—EXPLORATIONS BY STEPHENS AND CHARNAY.—PALACE OF PALENQUE.—TEMPLE OF THE CROSS.—TEMPLE OF LORILLARD.—REMARKABLE IDOL.—A REGION ABOUNDING IN RUINS.—REMAINS OF MITLA.—PILLAR OF DEATH.
THE COATZACOALCOS RIVER.—ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC.—TEHUANTEPEC RAILWAY AND SHIP-CANAL.—THE EADS SHIP-RAILWAY.—AN IDEA OF CORTEZ.—PLANS OF CAPTAIN EADS.—A RAILWAY-CARRIAGE WITH 1200 WHEELS.—SHIPS CARRIED IN TANKS.—ENGINEERING AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE SHIP-RAILWAY.—MAHOGANY TRADE.—FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THREE LOGS.—FRONTERA AND TABASCO.—RUINS OF PALENQUE.—LORILLARD CITY.—EXPLORATIONS BY STEPHENS AND CHARNAY.—PALACE OF PALENQUE.—TEMPLE OF THE CROSS.—TEMPLE OF LORILLARD.—REMARKABLE IDOL.—A REGION ABOUNDING IN RUINS.—REMAINS OF MITLA.—PILLAR OF DEATH.
The steamer on which our friends were embarked was a small one engaged in the coasting trade. She drew less than twelve feet of water, and was therefore able to enter the shallow harbors of some of the Mexican and Central American ports where large vessels cannot go. On the morning after leaving Vera Cruz she was off the mouth of the Coatzacoalcos River, and a little after sunrise she crossed the bar and steamed slowly against the current of that tropical stream. Dense forests, broken here and t
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"THE MYSTERIOUS CITY;" STORIES AND RUMORS CONCERNING IT.—ACCOUNTS OF STEPHENS AND MORELET.—FATE OF TWO YOUNG AMERICANS.—DON PEDRO VELASQUEZ.—CARMEN AND CAMPEACHY.—UNDERGROUND CAVES.—HOW LOGWOOD IS GATHERED; ITS COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE.—THE QUEZAL AND ITS WONDERFUL PLUMAGE.—SNAKES AND SNAKE STORIES.—TRAVELLERS' TALES.—PROGRESO AND SISAL.—HOW THE YUCATAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.—AGAVE SISALANA.—DISCOVERY AND CONQUEST OF YUCATAN.—A FEROCIOUS POPULATION.—REBELLIOUS INDIANS IN YUCATAN; HOW THEY TREAT VISITORS.—TOWNS AND VILLAGES DEPOPULATED.
"THE MYSTERIOUS CITY;" STORIES AND RUMORS CONCERNING IT.—ACCOUNTS OF STEPHENS AND MORELET.—FATE OF TWO YOUNG AMERICANS.—DON PEDRO VELASQUEZ.—CARMEN AND CAMPEACHY.—UNDERGROUND CAVES.—HOW LOGWOOD IS GATHERED; ITS COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE.—THE QUEZAL AND ITS WONDERFUL PLUMAGE.—SNAKES AND SNAKE STORIES.—TRAVELLERS' TALES.—PROGRESO AND SISAL.—HOW THE YUCATAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.—AGAVE SISALANA.—DISCOVERY AND CONQUEST OF YUCATAN.—A FEROCIOUS POPULATION.—REBELLIOUS INDIANS IN YUCATAN; HOW THEY TREAT VISITORS.—TOWNS AND VILLAGES DEPOPULATED.
While considering the accounts of the ruins of ancient cities in Mexico and the countries bordering it, our young friends came upon allusions to a "mysterious city," somewhere in the unexplored region of tropical forests lying to the southward. Their curiosity was excited, and they wondered if such a city really existed. They found that two explorers, Stephens and Morelet, believed in its existence, and though they tried hard to reach it were unable to do so. Stephens learned of it from the cura
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RAILWAY-STATION AT MERIDA.—PUBLIC CONVEYANCES.—THE CALESA.—A RIDE THROUGH THE STREETS.—WHEN MERIDA WAS FOUNDED.—PRACTICAL MODE OF DESIGNATING STREETS.—PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—CASA MUNICIPAL.—DRESS AND MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE.—INDIANS, SPANIARDS, AND MESTIZOS.—A CITY OF PRETTY WOMEN.—CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAYA RACE.—THE MESTIZO QUARTER.—SCENES IN THE MARKET.—BREAKFASTING AT A MEDIO RESTAURANT.—EUCHRE OR YUCCA.—USES OF THE YUCCA PLANT.—GAMBLING IN YUCATAN.—LA LOTERIA; HOW IT IS PLAYED.—AMERICAN COUNTERPART OF THE YUCATEO GAME.—A POPULAR ASSEMBLAGE.
RAILWAY-STATION AT MERIDA.—PUBLIC CONVEYANCES.—THE CALESA.—A RIDE THROUGH THE STREETS.—WHEN MERIDA WAS FOUNDED.—PRACTICAL MODE OF DESIGNATING STREETS.—PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—CASA MUNICIPAL.—DRESS AND MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE.—INDIANS, SPANIARDS, AND MESTIZOS.—A CITY OF PRETTY WOMEN.—CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAYA RACE.—THE MESTIZO QUARTER.—SCENES IN THE MARKET.—BREAKFASTING AT A MEDIO RESTAURANT.—EUCHRE OR YUCCA.—USES OF THE YUCCA PLANT.—GAMBLING IN YUCATAN.—LA LOTERIA; HOW IT IS PLAYED.—AMERICAN COUNTERPART OF THE YUCATEO GAME.—A POPULAR ASSEMBLAGE.
The train rolled into Merida and halted under the walls of an old convent that has been converted into a public hospital. As the passengers emerged from the station Frank and Fred were impressed with the listlessness of the cab-drivers, who did not seem to care whether they obtained customers or not. They stood or sat idly near their vehicles, and one was sound asleep on his box, where he evidently did not wish to be disturbed for so trivial a matter as earning a living. The carriages in waiting
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POTTERY AND HAMMOCK MARKETS.—HAMMOCKS IN YUCATAN; THEIR GENERAL USE FOR SLEEPING PURPOSES.—YUCATEO SALUTATIONS.—AN AWKWARD SITUATION.—FASHIONABLE, MESTIZO, AND INDIAN BALLS.—CHARACTERISTIC INDIAN DANCES.—WORSHIP OF THE SUN AMONG THE ANCIENT YUCATEOS.—NATIVE MUSIC.—ZOPILOTE DANCE.—VISIT TO A HENEQUIN HACIENDA.—THE VOLAN COCHÉ; A VEHICLE OF THE COUNTRY.—A RACE AND HOW IT ENDED.—ARRIVAL AT THE HACIENDA.—THE SCRAPING AND BALING MACHINERY.—STARTING A PLANTATION.—PRICE OF THE FIBRE IN THE MARKET.—"NO MONEY IN THE BUSINESS."—FIBRE-FACTORIES IN YUCATAN.—HOW THE OWNERS OF ESTATES LIVE.
POTTERY AND HAMMOCK MARKETS.—HAMMOCKS IN YUCATAN; THEIR GENERAL USE FOR SLEEPING PURPOSES.—YUCATEO SALUTATIONS.—AN AWKWARD SITUATION.—FASHIONABLE, MESTIZO, AND INDIAN BALLS.—CHARACTERISTIC INDIAN DANCES.—WORSHIP OF THE SUN AMONG THE ANCIENT YUCATEOS.—NATIVE MUSIC.—ZOPILOTE DANCE.—VISIT TO A HENEQUIN HACIENDA.—THE VOLAN COCHÉ; A VEHICLE OF THE COUNTRY.—A RACE AND HOW IT ENDED.—ARRIVAL AT THE HACIENDA.—THE SCRAPING AND BALING MACHINERY.—STARTING A PLANTATION.—PRICE OF THE FIBRE IN THE MARKET.—"NO MONEY IN THE BUSINESS."—FIBRE-FACTORIES IN YUCATAN.—HOW THE OWNERS OF ESTATES LIVE.
"The market we have described," wrote Fred, "is for the sale of articles of food only. There is another market where pottery, cotton fabrics, and other miscellaneous wares are sold, and still another which is entirely given up to the makers and venders of hats and hammocks. Hammock-making is a great industry in Yucatan, and thousands of these articles are sent to New York, London, and other foreign ports. A curious circumstance about this industry is that the best hammocks are those for home con
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FIRST NIGHT IN THE HAMMOCKS.—INSPECTING A CENOTÉ.—UNDERGROUND WATERCOURSES AND LAKES.—HOW CENOTÉS ARE FORMED.—A SUBTERRANEAN BATH-HOUSE.—A NORIA.—WATER TAX ON A DIRECT SYSTEM.—NATIVE SUPERSTITIONS.—A LIZARD THAT SHAKES HIS TAIL OFF.—BITING A SHADOW, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.—JOURNEY TO THE RUINS OF UXMAL.—A HEETZMEK.—YUCATEO MODE OF CARRYING INFANTS.—BREAKFAST AT A HACIENDA.—GARDEN AT UAYALKÉ.—EATING TROPICAL LIZARDS.—FRED'S OPINION OF LIZARD STEWS.—BEES OF THE COUNTRY.—SUPERFLUOUS INDUSTRY OF YUCATEO BEES.—EVENING PRAYER AT A HACIENDA.—ARRIVAL AT UXMAL.
FIRST NIGHT IN THE HAMMOCKS.—INSPECTING A CENOTÉ.—UNDERGROUND WATERCOURSES AND LAKES.—HOW CENOTÉS ARE FORMED.—A SUBTERRANEAN BATH-HOUSE.—A NORIA.—WATER TAX ON A DIRECT SYSTEM.—NATIVE SUPERSTITIONS.—A LIZARD THAT SHAKES HIS TAIL OFF.—BITING A SHADOW, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.—JOURNEY TO THE RUINS OF UXMAL.—A HEETZMEK.—YUCATEO MODE OF CARRYING INFANTS.—BREAKFAST AT A HACIENDA.—GARDEN AT UAYALKÉ.—EATING TROPICAL LIZARDS.—FRED'S OPINION OF LIZARD STEWS.—BEES OF THE COUNTRY.—SUPERFLUOUS INDUSTRY OF YUCATEO BEES.—EVENING PRAYER AT A HACIENDA.—ARRIVAL AT UXMAL.
"Would you like to see a cenoté ?" said Mr. Honradez, just before our friends retired for the night. "Certainly," replied Doctor Bronson for himself and the youths, while the latter wondered what a cenoté was. "Well, I'll show you one in the morning," was the reply. Then there was an exchange of wishes all around for a pleasant slumber, and in a little while everybody was in bed, or rather in hammock. Our friends had brought their hammocks as part of their baggage, and when they were ready to re
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A ROMANTIC LEGEND.—HOW THE KING WAS OVERCOME BY THE WITCH.—VISITING THE DWARF'S HOUSE; ITS POSITION AND PECULIARITIES.—HOUSE OF THE NUNS; ITS EXTENT AND CONSTRUCTION.—CASA DEL GOBERNADOR.—DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES AT WORK.—AT HOME IN A ROYAL PALACE.—MAYA ARCHES.—TROPICAL TREES AND PLANTS.—DOUBLE-HEADED DOG OF UXMAL.—GARAPATAS AND THE ANNOYANCE THEY CAUSED.—INSECT PESTS OF YUCATAN.—DR. LE PLONGEON AND THE STATUE OF CHAC-MOOL.—GHOSTS AND GHOST STORIES.—BIRDS OF YUCATAN.—AN ANCIENT WATERING-PLACE.
A ROMANTIC LEGEND.—HOW THE KING WAS OVERCOME BY THE WITCH.—VISITING THE DWARF'S HOUSE; ITS POSITION AND PECULIARITIES.—HOUSE OF THE NUNS; ITS EXTENT AND CONSTRUCTION.—CASA DEL GOBERNADOR.—DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES AT WORK.—AT HOME IN A ROYAL PALACE.—MAYA ARCHES.—TROPICAL TREES AND PLANTS.—DOUBLE-HEADED DOG OF UXMAL.—GARAPATAS AND THE ANNOYANCE THEY CAUSED.—INSECT PESTS OF YUCATAN.—DR. LE PLONGEON AND THE STATUE OF CHAC-MOOL.—GHOSTS AND GHOST STORIES.—BIRDS OF YUCATAN.—AN ANCIENT WATERING-PLACE.
At nine o'clock they reached the hacienda of Uxmal, where they were invited to breakfast. The invitation was accepted, and immediately after the conclusion of the meal the party continued to the ruins, which were about a mile farther on. The mayordomo invited them to make the place their home as long as they were in the neighborhood. Mr. Burbank gave an evasive answer to the invitation, at the same time earnestly thanking their host for his courtesy. To decline absolutely might seem a rudeness,
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A CHAPTER ON ARCHÆOLOGY.—NUMBER AND EXTENT OF THE RUINED CITIES OF YUCATAN.—MAYAPAN, THE ANCIENT CAPITAL.—PYRAMID OF MAYAPAN.—AKÉ AND ITS PICOTÉ.—AN ANCIENT WHIPPING-POST.—PYRAMIDS AT AKÉ.—HISTORICAL CONUNDRUMS.—KABAH AND ITS MOUND.—SCULPTURE OF A MAN ON HORSEBACK.—CHICHEN-ITZA.—CHURCH, NUNNERY, CASTLE, AND TENNIS-COURT AT CHICHEN.—EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF THE SCULPTURES.—STORY OF THE CONQUEST OF CHICHEN.—SKILFUL RETREAT OF THE SPANISH CAPTAIN.—OTHER RUINED CITIES.—IDOLS OF COPAN.—PROBABILITIES OF CITIES YET TO BE DISCOVERED.
A CHAPTER ON ARCHÆOLOGY.—NUMBER AND EXTENT OF THE RUINED CITIES OF YUCATAN.—MAYAPAN, THE ANCIENT CAPITAL.—PYRAMID OF MAYAPAN.—AKÉ AND ITS PICOTÉ.—AN ANCIENT WHIPPING-POST.—PYRAMIDS AT AKÉ.—HISTORICAL CONUNDRUMS.—KABAH AND ITS MOUND.—SCULPTURE OF A MAN ON HORSEBACK.—CHICHEN-ITZA.—CHURCH, NUNNERY, CASTLE, AND TENNIS-COURT AT CHICHEN.—EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF THE SCULPTURES.—STORY OF THE CONQUEST OF CHICHEN.—SKILFUL RETREAT OF THE SPANISH CAPTAIN.—OTHER RUINED CITIES.—IDOLS OF COPAN.—PROBABILITIES OF CITIES YET TO BE DISCOVERED.
As before stated, the most interesting of the mined buildings of Uxmal are the Dwarf's House, the House of the Nuns, and the Governor's House, and these three we have already described. The ruins of other cities are not far away, and when they had finished with Uxmal our friends proceeded to visit those that were the most convenient. The information obtained in their personal explorations, added to what they gathered from residents of the country and the books already mentioned, was embodied in
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CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE REPUBLICS COMPOSING IT; A SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY; AREA AND POPULATION.—SNAKES, LIZARDS, AND OTHER CREEPING THINGS.—COSTA RICA AND ITS REVOLUTIONS.—A PRESIDENT WHO COULDN'T READ.—HONDURAS AND ITS RESOURCES.—VISIT TO TEGUCIGALPA.—YUSCARAN AND ITS MINERAL WEALTH.—UNFORTUNATE FINANCIERING.—INTERESTING SOCIAL CUSTOMS.—INTEROCEANIC CANALS; THEIR PRESENT STATUS.—THE NICARAGUA CANAL; SURVEYS, ESTIMATES, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE; PROBABLE ADVANTAGES TO THE WORLD'S COMMERCE; TERMS OF THE CONCESSION; ESTIMATED COST, REVENUES, AND SAVING OF DISTANCES.—FAREWELL TO MEXICO.—THE END.
CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE REPUBLICS COMPOSING IT; A SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY; AREA AND POPULATION.—SNAKES, LIZARDS, AND OTHER CREEPING THINGS.—COSTA RICA AND ITS REVOLUTIONS.—A PRESIDENT WHO COULDN'T READ.—HONDURAS AND ITS RESOURCES.—VISIT TO TEGUCIGALPA.—YUSCARAN AND ITS MINERAL WEALTH.—UNFORTUNATE FINANCIERING.—INTERESTING SOCIAL CUSTOMS.—INTEROCEANIC CANALS; THEIR PRESENT STATUS.—THE NICARAGUA CANAL; SURVEYS, ESTIMATES, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE; PROBABLE ADVANTAGES TO THE WORLD'S COMMERCE; TERMS OF THE CONCESSION; ESTIMATED COST, REVENUES, AND SAVING OF DISTANCES.—FAREWELL TO MEXICO.—THE END.
After completing their description of the ruined cities of Yucatan, Frank and Fred looked around for something new to occupy their attention. They were not long in finding it. "I wish we could extend our journey to Central America," said Fred. "So do I," answered his cousin, "but I'm afraid Doctor Bronson would not consent. His plans do not include a journey farther south than Yucatan, and besides, I don't think he would relish the idea of making a trip through a region where the comforts of tra
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THE END.
THE END.
BOUND VOLUMES OF HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE for 1887, 1888, and 1889. Handsomely Bound in Illuminated Cloth, $3.50 each. Bound Volumes for 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, and 1886 are out of stock . THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN MEXICO. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to Northern and Central Mexico, Campeachy, and Yucatan. With a Description of the Republics of Central America and of the Nicaragua Canal. By Thomas W. Knox . Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00. THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN AUSTRALASIA. Adventur
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