Tombstone epitaph., 1892-02-14
AT COLIMA.
What Our Correspondent Saw in the Vicinity of an Interesting
 City,
CoLIMA, Estado de Colima,


 ED. PRosPEcToR We arrived in Colima on the 2lst ult., and found the weather pleasant as May in the United States. All the orchards and gardens filled with ripe fruits and rich flowers. Vegetables and fruits are to be had every day ID the year.
 Colima has been having siege Of the grip, and the mortality has been immense, considering the tropical locality, as many as twelve to fifteen deaths daily for the past six weeks, principally among the poor, who are poorly quartered against the dampness which pervades the city.
 There are more poor people pro rata in Colima than have seen else where in this Republic. The streets and market places gre crowded with beggars, some from choice and more from necessity, My heart cannot help but go out to those poor unfortu- mates who lift up their appealing eyes to one. I am forced when leaving my hotel to leave my money and only take a few coppers along, for fear my pity for those poor wretches will get the better of my judgment.
 An English company is now putting street car lines through the City of Colima, all the material being on the ground and the track already laid
 The Volcano de Colima, the most conspicuous feature of the state of Colima is in eruption every few days, pouring forth smoke and lava, and has never reached a habitation yet, as . heretofore stated. A mountain called the Ice mountain, but few miles from the volcano, is now covered with snow, and has ice the year around, which is sold in the little villagesin the valleys beneath, being transported on the backs of mules.
 Colina is noted for its fine coffee aud is raised somewhat extensively. Messrs. Aruddo Vogal and Arturo Ar abel have 2OO,O0O plants bearing and showed me two golden medals from Paris and Madrid for fine coffee
 IL is authoritively affirmed that the Mexican Central has bought out the Manzanillo and Colima narrow guage and will continue the same to their other road in Guadalajara, thus cut ting off a great trade from the Pacific Islands to New York which goes to the Golden Gate.
 This road will open up trade for this state and that of Jalisco, putting in the eastern markets immense quantities of times, oranges, hard woods, pineapples snd cocoa, which at present go 10 waste for want of direct transportation.
 We understand from the Governor of Topic that as soon as the Colima and Guadalajara road commences, the Mexican Central forfeits right of way from San Bias to Guadalaiara via Topic, and the latter will be put through by another company.
 Americans coming to Colima should call upon Mir. Christian Flor, the Ger man consul, who speaks English fuently, and is gentleman of great refinement, communicative and oblig- ing.
 In the last few years European cap ital is turning its attention to Mexico where they are making large invest ments in mines, agriculture, stock, manufacturing, etc, and our great and progressive sister republic stands with her arms folded and without a word sees all those opportunities swallowed up.
 Any man with a capital of 5000 can purchase himself fine little home ir Mexico and start into some lucra- tive business.
 The author who penned the follow ing about Mexico "The fruits have no
 
 flavor and the flowers no fragrance must have done so from sense of prejudice as there is no word of truth in it. I have eaten some of the choicest fruits, such as the orange, lime, lemon, pineapple. chicos, cocoas, mangos, etc. that l have eaten any where, and for flowers, they are not'to be equsled anywhere. The fragrance of the jasmine. the rose and gardenia from the corridors and afched piazzas and the patios. of dewy night adds repose and content in spite Of an oc- casional bite frem q mosquito or a flea
 On the morrow at the break of day we will be of for the City of Mexico via Guadalajsra and the famous Baran-