, 1884-02-27
DOWN IN MEXICO
A'sketch Of It's Resources, It's Poo
pls. Cttes and Press.
The Remarkable and tho Wonderful
beauties OF the City Of
Mexfeo--A Bnronessr
Toast


f-J. B. p" In Chicago Tribunal
We are promised direct railroad connection
between Mexico City and Chicago next May.
Taking the usual route TO Paso del Norte, the
train will run across the American side OF the
Rio Grande and connect at FL PaSo In a
union depot with the Atchison, Topeka &c
Santa Fe road through New Mexico and
Kansas to the Missouri river at Kansas City.
Mo. Themes by the Hannibal & ST. Joseph
and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy roads for
Chicago, a metropolis all Mexicans arc i'm
patiently DESTROYS to seeL - .f.s-
Mexico has 74l 600 square mfeS,or 474,6o4,-
90 acres Of territory, and in travelling
through her states one hnds almost every
Known climate from torrid to frigid. The
perpetual blasts that rattle among the icy
peaks OF Pico dc Orizaba rarely reach the
gulf valleys, whose winds arc consequently
continually those of salubrious spring.
MEIIco's RESOURCES.
Mexico has long commanded much atten-
ton as a productive country. Her miner
illogical and metallurgical elements have af-
forded Industrial pursuits almost wholly to
her native workmen, q condition Of things,
however, which is fast becoming dissipated
by the advance Of events and tbs steady do
velopment Of her agricultural resources, and
wealth that lies In her forests Of rich
wo DIS and gurdens Of luscious fruit Her
coffee Ia amoug the most fragrant and deli
cious In the word; her tobacco is exported to
Cuba, there manufactured into Aolear
Havanas," and reshipped to American
markets as the article native 10 the Cuban
isle. Rice, sugar, and cotton are products
Of nearly one-hAlf her domain. Iron Is found
In ono stnte-Durango-in immense quaint
ties and fine qualities. Load, zinc, copper,
coal, petroleum, and other marketable articles
only await the developing energies Of capital
TO return substantial fortunes On the Sierrn
slopes grows an infinite variety and
supply of timber. Where these slopes break
occasional levels flourish the finest
fruits and flowers. On the vast plains stretch
ing from Sonora to Oaxaca Ia natures green
est nutriment, enough to feed and raise mill
ons of stock.
NATURES WEALTH.
As those irresistible ~conqueros Of ~civiliEa-
tons opponsnts-steam and electricity-ad-
vance their forces, the mule and stage-coach
relegate Themselves to phantom past and
where once the log was rough-hewn by the
~woodman's AZ tho steam saw will smoothly
and symmetricaliy shape it for the perfect
finish of the skilled workman; for the pres
tige of California Is in danger Of passing TO
tho possession Of the Mexican states of Jalisco,
OaIaea, Michoacan, Chicas, and Tobasco.
because Of their extensive growth of various
woods. The Aztscs applied the nrst syllable
Of the word Hhochitlr (meaning q
howerl to anything distinguished for fino
floral beauty, strength and quality,
and many places, such as Hochitlepcc
(nower-hilD, Hochitlcato Qaower-ste) Hochitl-
milcol tfower-garden) etc, retain these
Tho Irquixochitl, ins red glazed
Jaloxochitl, yellow spotted oceloxochitl.
small red, white and yellow, and very aro-
matte CacaloIochitl, tbe Hight blue Gem
poazochitl. and countless other floral gems
have never yet received Latin baptism.
are hidden to the admiration OF our people.
Yet these give some idea Of what Aztec nori-
culture was. and bow priced and cultivated it
is by Aztec descendants In this same lam
ily Ia a remarkable plant-the Maguey-the
fiuid extract Of which is a most powerful
opiate. The little pea Is also ground into a
four, principally used in pastry by the poems.
1t requires 30 little cultivation and Is 80 pro-
Life that one acre produces a crop sufficient
for a Life supply.
PAso L NoRTx-
Some Of these ancient towns possess an en-
during interest to the stranger. Tho nearest
OF thee to the Rio Grande hne-Paso del
Norte-is nearly 400 years old. IL has ono
lonely street exactly seven miles long. Its
principal object Of interest, however, is the
Guadalupe cathedral, now over $50 years
old. There are no pews In this church, and on
a piece OF carpet directly in front of the altar
kneel the worshipers one at a time. The pres
tine grandeur OF the sacred pile has nearly all
gone with the years, and the beauty OF the
town lost Its attractiveness until now, as the
trees, gardens. vineyards, streets, alleys,
lanes, and the Grand Plaza are being restored
to their former glory. But the church and
adobe houses, public and private, are too
dearly cherished to be displaced by modern
tastes. However, it Is a ~rnilroad town."
and will sooner or later succumb to ~civiliIa-
tios's edicts. d.
Immigration Is peculiarly induced by gem
erous aid from a liberal g-overnm--. 4
house-by no means a hovel-nules, horses,
farming implements, a fair area OF agri-
cultural land, educators for children. and
medical aid and care for sick form the FIRST
years offering. To the merchant, the manu-
facturer, or capitalist, Mexico offers superior
Inducements To the seeker after health,
pleasure, and the grandeurs OF nature, wonder
full dominions stored with everything OF inter
est. The terrible gulf coast, the fearful insur-
rections, and scourging aBlack Jack" have
Lost their terrors now that railways obviats
sea travel, civilization brushes turbulAncs and
scisnce masters the scourge
THE WONDERFUL.
To the tourist the country Is strangely
fascinating and there are towns and places
which it Is irresistible TO lsave, once in them.
Time has added weird destruction to the
superb palace Of Militia The cave Of Caca-
humilpa is still empress OF natures temples,
with Its colossal entrance, its archway seventy
hvo feet high and base $50 feet wide, and
dome sk~ylighted by a cleft that admits only
a ribbon OF sunlight Passing away from
this beacon one goes on through q chilling
corridor by rough and rocky sentineL, down
ono declivity into utter night. Suddenly the
scene changes, a quick descent il made,
q mountain top Is reached, q fount-
ain bubbling up waters impregnated
with the ingredients of health sprinkles a
green sward. And grand. indeed, Is the scene
from the loft OF the cathedral OF Mexico.
City Of Palaces lies below, fnciosed by a
sublime amphitheatre OF mountains. Her
courtyards are crowded, plaxas occupied,
gardens filled, and streets busy with life.
Here to the right lie the lakes of Texcoco
and Chalco, in front the wonderful Locale
Il world Of flowers, an enchanting bower, n
promenade. and pavilion for all TIC the
left the majestic Aleneda sweeps by. The
City of Mexico Is q museum-a world.
maseum-indescribable In interest d.
THE IONS.
There arc lo.ooo.oo o people in Mexico,