The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-21

judge of the Superior Court in CalifOr-
mia, though he has now resided many
years in the Mexican capital. He also
is very courteous and much liked. Our
country is fortunate, far more fortu-
nate than some European CAPT 1als
which might be readily named, in Eav
ing such representatives as these gen
tlemen. Minister Ransom was absent
in the United States on leave during
the period of my visit, so I did not
meet him.
One of the pleasantest short excur-
sions from the city of Mexico is due
due south to Cuernavaca. The rail
road which is in process Of construc-
ton to Ocapulco, on the Pacific, is only
completed as yet to Tres. Marias, just
! below the mountain range, where the
journey to Cuernavaca is made by
stage. This might be called the
"battIefi cid route" as the railroad
passes out by Chapultepec, through
the fields of Casa Mata, Molino del Rey
Padierna, and Contreras, and within a
short distance of Cherubsco, which is
in full view. After leaving Contre
ras the track constantly climbs the
mountains, giving at every turn a
magnificent view of the valley Of Mex
lea with its seven lakes, the castle
crowned hill of Chapultepsc, the great
city itself with its steeples and domes,
and the scores of villages dotting the
plain. At La Gina we have attained
a height Of nearly ten thousand feet,
and begin to descend the Pacific slope.
At Tres Marias we leave the cars and
take a stage for Cuernavaca. A glo-
rious view it is in this cloudless cline
to see the valley spread for miles and
miles before you and thousands of feet
below, dotted with villages and hacien-
das, and the capital Of the State in the
centre foreground. We went down
with four horses, we came back drawn
by ten, and we saw ONE railway con
struction wagons which were being
drawn by eighteen horses. This will
be a great railway when it is completed
through to Acapulco. The Interoceanic,
already completed from Vera Cruz by
way of the City of Mexico to Yautepec,
is also stretching out to Acapulco, so
there will soon be two lines from the
CAPT al to that port. The Gu~adalajara
branch Of the Central is also under
process Of construction to another port
on tho DaoiRO Hy1orDouaoo 10 a Quaint |
old town as yet untouched by railroads.
1t has its grand old churches, and the
castle in which Cortez lived in the
midst of his princely land grant, and
commanding a lovely view of noun
tains and valley. He lived here when
no longer permitted to reside near the
capital. Cortez was a good business
man, as we'll as conquerer; for he not
only picked out and had the choicest
lands granted to him, but he owned
many Of the most eligible corner lots
in the capital, including that or which
the government building now stands.
But it is impossible not to recall that
his name is unhonored by any memo
rial in the country of his triumphs,
while in the Paseo the grand statue of
his victim, the last Aztec emperor,
Guatemozjn, proudly lifts his hands
and head to heaven. So true is it that
the victor has mis- day, but the vic
tim has all eternity" And if some
one shall say, What good shall it do
him9 it may be replied, Did not the
victor fight that he might be remem-
bered after death, and did he not strug.
gle for fame,
THAT fancied life in another's breath.
Which is beyond US, even in our death?"
And of Cortez, as of another and a
laughter name, it may we'll be said:
"Who would soar the polar height
To set in such a s~tarIess night?"
Here, too, are memorials of Maximil-
ian and CarIotta in the lovely garden
of La Borda, and the little blouse in
the Woods" where they attempted to
rusticate in their Little Trianon."
The Indian name of the town was
Quahnaahuac, meaning where the
eagle stops" This, the more prosaic
Spaniard has corrupted into Cuerna
vaca, which signifies Cow horn"
Having come into Mexico by the
Mexic N Central, when I got back to
the capital I left for home over the
shortest route, the Mexican National.
Albeit a narrow gauge, it makes ex-
cellent time. The scenery is grand
as we climb the mountain, leaving
CITY and villages and cleaning lakes