Tombstone epitaph., 1891-08-30
OLD MEXICO. Interesting Notes from Ia. palpa, JaliScO. Midst Rich Fields of Wav-
 ing Corn, Sugar Cane and Grain Ready for the
 Sickle, Ignorance, Fettered by Super stitiOn, Reigns.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
TAPALPA, JALIsco, Aug. Is, '9l.

EDITOR PROsPECTOR: On August 9th we procured horse and went to Atoyac, a city of some 5000 people. on the shores of laguna Sayula, eighteen miles distant. At the suburbs of Say ula we entered broad and shady lane, at the head of which under the shade of an immense spreading fruit tree stands a stone cross erected by the Jesuit fathers, bearing the date 1911 Following this lane three miles, which is planted to fine shade trees whose branches form circumference of 90 feet we come to the beautiful sugar plantation Amatillan, containing 4OOO acres Oi cultivated land. As the sugar business of the state of Jalisco is over- done, the proprietor of this immense tract of land contemplates turning it into coffee plantation. One hours ride at brisk pace brings us to the shores of laguna de Sayu!a, whose waters cover some 12O square miles of surface. The entire lake is surround ed by rich fields of corn and small grain and dotted here and there by little villas, each containing white church and school house.
 As we approach the lake we ride under an immense arch formed over the road of fresh banana leaves. flow ering shrubs and rushes gathered from the fen near by, and the road is strewn with many bright colored and frag- rant flowers for some distance. We were at our wits end to figure out this strange sight, but proceeding on short distance we met native who informed Us that it had not rained fur some ten days and the Indians had that morning taken the
 VIRGIN OF AMATILLoN,
 or the Ram Queen, from the hacienda and were carrying her to Los Puentas, some nine miles distant, and strewing her path with flowers, so as to make her morning journey pleasant, thereby inducing her 10 make it rain. Under d few more arches and over several stretches of flowers which looks cruel tU trample under the horses rough feet and we are up with the proces. sion, which moves along quietly with bare heads and not word Is spoken among all these at least 500 people, all the native Indian faru CTS, men, women and children. In the center of tuis mOtlty group Was the idol, in size about like ten-year-old girl, dress, d in gaudy low robe and perched upon a throne, which rested by me. ns of poles on the shoulders of | four pretty young Indian girls of fine physique and wearing crowns of bright flowers. A great umbrella was carried over the Rain Queen while the | maids of honor took the full benefit of | che sun. Bright flags and banners were conspicuous and the women and | girls carried long poles with parrots perched upon them. Ten minutes ride with the natives brought us to an immense rookery, amongst which stood an old church, into which the idol was taken, chAered by showers of floral offerings and fire rockets.
 PRAYERS WERE GIVEN
 in low mOnOtOnOus tone for some ten minutes, during which time l stood under the shade of the trees among the old ruins with the natives. hat in hand. I was told with much confidence that rain would surely fall in few days. By hook or crook it rhined that night and the natives, poor simple minded dupes, fully believe in the power of the virgin idol. When I told them that it rained abundantiy in the land of the "gringo," where such things as idols were strangers to us, they only replied that we were Gods favorite people,"
 All such demonstrations as the above have been recently prohibited by the Mexican Congress in any mu- yet on my second day, arrival in AlOyac I witnessed a simi. lar proceeding, only more so.
 The virgin Guadalupe and the image of Christ in wax and life size, with bruised and bleeding knees, a great cut showing Tn his side, from which the black blood was oozing, and face in the most painful contortions, all life like, were carried through the p'i cipal thoroughfares followed by ] the middle and lower classes, carrying lighted wax candles and murmuring ervent prayers. Streamers of bright