The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-05-11

crs and subjected to heat until the sugar grahu-
ates, when it is deposited in small molds con-
tanning an amount sufficient to compose certain
weight; it is then left to harden
The climate IS said TO be the most delightful III
the world, being extremely cquablc, and not Ia
| bic to those rapid changes that occur more or
II less in other regions. With the Pacific Ocean
on one side and the Gulf Of California on the oth-
cr, its thermal conditions arc not intensified OF
diversified By the varying forces which obtain III
most other countries. 1t is capable Of producing
in great abundance and with little labor all inc
fruits and vegetables Of thd tropics and most oi
those grown in the temperate zone. Like nearly
all sections on the Pacific coast, Mexico ana oth-
cr regions, the best and mast valuable lands are
owned by the ancient missionaries. But who has
Il better right, and who would blame them lor
this, when they were the first to venture over
these then untroddcn lands? The fertile portion
of this country is situated north Of what Is called
Pueblo dc Mulcjc and "the ancient mission OF
Magdalcna." The entire tact embraces about
one hundred square miles of level lands, well
watered, and producing abundance of hgs, olives,
oranges and other trees.
Baja California, with all its great natural wealth
and infinite resources, has been treated by the
supreme government as a sort of "pOOr rcla-
ton "a troublesome appcndage, that would be
gladly dispensed with but for the tenacity with
which the Mexicans cling to every inch of their
territory. Few and far between have been the
mcagcr crumbs that have fallen to its share from
the legislative table
- il Of aG
low an cbb as can be. Thieves and robbers roam
the country at will and unmolestcd, while taxa
ton has not only been cultivated as fine art,
but elevated to the rank of scientific perfection.
Articles of daily necessity are taxed and re'taXed,
until inc original cost becomes a thing Of no
consequence
1t is unnecessary to say that a majority OF the
leading people of the state favor the transfer OF
the territory to American rule, but would not
dare make it manifest though they would hail as
a boon such an event.
After passing Cape st. Lucas the clouds cleared
away and the rays of the tropical sun shone down
on us like 4" a thousand of brick" We had now
entered the tropics, and the southern constella-
ton was visible, to some for the first time The
southern cross was all the attraction, while the
sun and moon was almost directly over our heads.
On the 9Th day out VIC made our first port
MAzATLAS,
said to be the handsomcst city on the coast of
Mexico. 1t lies just inside the tropical line, in
Il quiet, cosy nook or gulf, with high, barren
hills on one side and low bluffs guarding it from
the sweeping winds of the Pacific. Like nearly
all cities and towns on the Pacific coast, Mazat-
Ian has no docks, along side which vessels or
steamers can load or unload, SO all merchandise
has to Ne taken of on lighters slow, tedious
method-somctimes taking days to unload that
which would require only few hours; but this
is only one of the many indications of Mexican
enterprise!
On arriving on shore We were stared and gazed
at by the hundreds of natives that throng the
shore on arrival of steamers. 1t is quite anus
ing TO notice their peculiar ways and curious ac-
tons, and the easy, slow and indolent fashion in
which they look at you.
The native Mexican is of dark copper color,
roscrhIrrs mat oil an indian, except oiO nc"ru.-,
and skin of the Mexican is finer and smoother,
with more intelligent expression to his face.
Both the men and women, especially the women,
are very handsomely built, but cannotsce where
that extreme beauty comes in Of which we hear
so much ! have yet to see among the McXcans
what an American would call bpdJM.
Arriving on shore imagine our astonshmcn,
in indipg a line Of street ears such as we are in
the habit of seeing in all el.reguacd cities in
the United States. This is the only city in Mexi
co, except Mexico City, having street railroads
owned and operated by Americans.
understand that it pays we'll for city of thi,
size, but have my doubts whether the dividend:
are large, as the Mc1icans think too much of {
u,eiio Give cents to indulge in such luxures
! There is one drawback TO a foreigner visiting
one of these Mexican ports, and that is in not be
ing able to speak their language. Not being &c
xuaintcd with the musical Spanish or ling,
Mexicana, found it hard to get along. Ian
guagc Of any kind is not an accomplishment t,
be conquered in day or month, 50 dcspai
Of ever being able to acquire either.
| The city of Mazatlan is antiquarian It's styl,
is adobe or mud house, matched or tiled roofs il
one part of the city, while in another the house
are of the poorest kind built almost exclusive
| " of cocoanut leaves and bamboo. ride through
the town was our first move. So entering I'll,
street cars We rode from one end to the other t
yet the location Of things, as it were.
The houses are adobe and all are strong, bull
to the edge Of the walk so as to have all the spar
room possible in the courts within. This is on
peculiarly with Mexican or Spanish people-n'
matter how poor or shabby their houses are out
side, they have II neat, clean and beautiful ap
pcarancc inside 1t is remarkable how cool thi
style Of house is. No matter how warm the da
may he outside, the heat is never felt much with
lin. Mexican days, from noon until about
O'Clock, arc roasting hot. People that have ncve
been here can form no conception Of how intense
Ily warm it is away from the mountains whcr
the atmosphere is raritcd it is lovely, but on tn
shore ii Is scorch!ng The nights are delightful
and anything more calmly beautiful than Mex
can summer nights can hardly be conceived. NJ
where that have ever been does the starry dom
orr,,r mara CHARMING ar ~, IN. .r.,,tl,, ypuhVr