The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13
TOURING IN MEXICO.
INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS OF A
CITIZEN OF MEMPHIS.
The Scenery, the People and the Gus
toms-How Conditions Of Life Differ
from Those OF the United States
Wanderings.

LAS CANoAs, Mex, Sunday, April 10
begin by telling you we had the toughest
trip from New Orleans down TO the South
Pass have ever experienced. A severe
gale had set in from the east and made
sea In the river almost like bay. We ar
rived at the head OF the pass from New
Orleans on Sunday morning, the 25th, and
could not go to sea because the red dan
ger signal was flying at the signal station.
There we remained until Wednesday
morning, the 2Sth, when we were towed
outside and set sail for Tampico. We
sailed directly south under full canvas
with very heavy cross sea caused by the
late gale, which made several ladies Of our
party very sick, and caused the vessel TO
pitch and roll very heavily and make little
Roadway that night The maintopsail
was split TO rags. As the vessel would go
down great wave the wind fell out OF the
sails, and when she arose on the other side
II would suddenly strike the sail with great
force, causing terrible tapping Of sails
and crashing noise. On the third day we
tackled ship, headed southwest for Tampico.
our course being changed after getting sea
room 80 M 10 take the southeast trade
wind. For the first day IL was almost
calm, having little more than steerage way,
the next day the trade wind struck us and
We rushed through the sea at a great speed,
and had the finest yacht sailing / ever
had. The sea was splendid, the water
indigo blue III was over 10000 feet deep
by the United States chart). Then for the
first time the ladies' came on deck, where
they spent nearly all the time with me
and the captain watching the sea, the
handling OF the vessel, or reading. i left
of my rubber overcoat and boots, which l
had worn constantly during the preceding
days, and spent all my time enjoying the
fine run Of the vessel and the sea, which
always attracts me, and was not sick OF
course for moment, but the sun blisiered
my face and hands dreadfully until rugged
mo up muslin mask, and made mitts 10
protect my hands out OF the tops OF an old
pair OF stockings. The captain caught
shark, which was killed and thrown over,
and harpooned large porpoisc, the liver
OF which was just like sheep liver, and fur
nishcd fresh meat for breakfast. Fewer
birds than usual were seen, or fish, because
Of the late storm, but we began 10 see
plenty Of shark. The sun was intensely
hot, but the temperature in the shade was
not over SIS, and at night was ZOE. took
the temperature OF the sea on the second
day out, and found Il 70', summer heat.
After three days OF delightful and mag
niiicent sailing we were OF the Mexican
coast, seventy miles from 1ampico: and
the sun went down behind the coast range
Of mountains In plain view. Next day, the
30th OF April, we would be In Tampico. But
alas, the wind failed MS; we were out OF the
trades, and had 10 beat about for three
days with barely enough wind for stcerage
way. The night OF the 9TH we anchored off
Tampico bar, in sight OF fine iron hight
house, which flashed three times every
thirty seconds; there was little wind. but
heavy sea, and We rolled all night horri-
bly,, 40 that We not only could not sleep,
but had as much no we could do to keep
In our bcrths. Next day thetug on which
our friends came 10 meet Us towcd us up
TO minpico, though we struck the bar a
dozen times In going in, and caused the
vessel 10 leak little, That evening we
landed NJ tho custom-house wharf and
went up 10 a hotel, where We remained
that night. Our quarters on the vessel were
very good and comfortable; three state
saloon cabin, with each berth Ms wide
and largo as Pullman slccperE the
diningroom was next 10 the saloon
cabin. Our fare was plain. but
good, especially bread, tea and cof-
shipboard, and the captain did everything
no could to make ~ comfortable, and was
as kind M could be.
l. al u. III :.
ent entirely ON foreign trade. IL IL stu
atcd on an emncnce with water on three
sides; IL paved with stone; houses all
stone, no chimneys or flre-placcs; n fine
large church with six affairs, two Htceples
aud chime OF bells; aclock with local time
which strikes every quarter hour. There
are many large stores, aud large stocks Of
goods, mostly French, handsome plaza
adorned with plants, trees and flowers;
another plaza for the market; large bar
rack Of about fifty soldiers, better ordered
and uniformed than | supposed; a chain
gang. military uniformed police, lots
OF plain.looking, dark.colorod girls and
women, and many lino looking aud
picturesque men. Our trunks went
through the cusiom.housc without a thing
being charged duty. but two OF them the
officials went through" and mixed mp
considerably, though We suppose nothing
was taken.
ON the morning Of the 9Th we made an
early siait In the cars Of the Mexican
Central and Travelled all day through wild
Jungle Of trccs, plants, etc, all strange and
unknown 10 M. We crossed the "lamis.
acc," or broad branch OF the same.
| This n the fifth strcam | have found
similar 10 "lannissco"-l lennissoo In
Florida was the previous one), then the
Santa Rosa, another branch, and halted al
| ElSalto the lcapl the terminus OF theroad,
! $50 miles from Tampico. Tho road for
the iint 100 miles WIS through the Terra
Callicntc," or hot land, and II was hot,
SURE enough. Tho whole land was GOV.
cred by n dense growth, much cactus,
large numbers OF tho ebony, tree very
like the southern live oak, the wood Of
which was burned IN our engine. Thou
sands Of orchids Of various colors, many
very large, vines OF many kinds, flowers,
now aud strange, and butterflies by tho
million. Here and thcfo large opens with
cattle and horses. aud immense groves OF
magnificent palm trees, sometimes miles
In extent. Before reaching III Salto We
crossed the first range OF mountains, the
air became cooler the growth became az.
icrent, the forests Of palms moro nuncr-
Gus, and growing not only In the valley,
but up 10 the very top Of the mountain.
Sometimes the banana intormingled with
them, ~ well NJ orange and lime
trees We passed second and higher
mngc Of mountains, where the scenery
/ IL. a A