Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-06
CUTSHAW In MEXICO.
a CONTRAST OF THE room AND
THE RICH CLASSES.
IMPARTIAL VIEW OF A BULL-PICHT.
Much Resembles Base-BaIl--
women Are Ugly and the Costumes
F"ntastic-ciimate and Advan-
Representation of the Arts.

In these days Of rapid progress. when
electric cables girdle the earth and mes
sages are flashed from continent TO con-
tinent, in less time than It takes to write
them; when ocean filters" bring the coun-
tries OF the Old World almost to our
doors, and when mans ingenuity las
contrived air motors, flying machines,
submarine vessels. and other wonders OF
a marvellous age. all of which serve TO
bind in closer bonds the various branches
Of the family OF man. It would seem that
little remains 10 be written or said of
the picturesque and historic country
which lies at the foot Of the United
States.
Mexico, the land OF the Aztecs. which
boasts a civilization that antedates by
several hundred years the arrival of
Columbus on the shores OF the New
World" has been a fruitful theme for
the pen Of the historian and the traveller.
and even the globe trotter'' has deluged
the magazines with the narration of his
experiences and impressions gathered
within its confines.
Nh1H sum a kctH observer as OOlOQel
W. Il. Cutshaw goes abroad, however,
what he has to say on the subject IS
bound to be interesting and instructive.
80 IT was that Dispatch reporter sat
at the feet of the City Engineer a few
days since and learned many things Of
the past and present glories and reproach
of Mexico
Colonel Cutshaw returned a week ago,
AFTER spending nearly month in Mexico.
The object of his visit was. primarily
private business. but 1t was of such a
nature that rendered the close study of
the condition of the people and the pros
poets OF the country arbitrary, and as
he was piloted on his tour of inspection
by people who are closely identified with
the government, his opportunities for
close observation were exceptional. Dur
ing his perigrinations Coloney Cutshaw
lived in the best hotels. in mining camps.
and in the mud huts OF the native poems.
He closely inspected many public works.
chief OF which is the new ship canal, and
he witnessed the transcendent prowess
of the great Spanish matador, engaged
at an enormous fee t appear in
limited number Of bull fights.
ADVANTAGES OF THE COUNTRY.
The country. so says Colonel Cutshaw,
is passing picturesque, and the climate,
particularly in Mexico City, is the finest in
the world. The nights are chilly, but the
days are glorious, and as long as you
keep out Of the glare of the sun, resem-
BILE nothing so much as a bright spring
morning. There is not fireplace in all
Mexico City, and the cooking is done
over charcoal and a few sticks. For the
tourist Mexico holds out many fascina-
tons, and for the energetic man with a
small capital, it holds out much that is
more substantial.
Colonel Cutshaw is firm believer IN
the future Of Mexico. If the Diaz Admin
istration is continued, and il is probable
that it will be, he thinks that the growth
of the country in the next few years Will
be phenomenal. President Diaz is a very
wise and progressive ruler, he says. ana
has worked immense good to Mexico
One of his salutary measures has been
that when corporations or individuals ap-
ply TO the government to conduct any
special business, the concessions are
granted conditionally, the applicant being
compelled TO build school in a certain
district for the education Of the. poorer
classes. And the poor classes are very
poor. indeed. in Mexico. and INDECENT be-
yond all comparison.
A CHEAP COSTUME.
The population is 100000, and of this
number IL is estimated that between eight
and nine millions Of people belong to the
very poor people, who are called poems.
They are utterly ignorant, and without a
spark OF ambition or pride. They are born
with a native courtesy OF manner. but
suspicious Of the stranger. Their costume
consists OF a straw sombrerO, a pair or
canvas pants, and canvas shirt, with a
shawl Of many colors thrown fantasia
cally over the shoulders. A liberal esti-
matesof the value of the outfit places II
at a dollar
The women wear dresses of canvas and
the inevitable shawl which serves The
dual purpose of shawl and bonnet
The staple and almost only food OF the
poor Mexican is a cake made from crush
ed maize or Indian corn, kneaded into
dough on a stone slab with a stone roller
Occasionally a little meat is bought, but
It is rolled into the same cake. and lite
rally covered with red pepper. Fruit
forms a large part Of the diet or the
peon, but Colonel Cutshaw is OF the
opinion that an American could not exist
which serves TO sustain the Mexican.
These people, together with large |
number of adventures and ne'er-do- |
wells, who have drifted from every coun- |
try on the face of the earth, live almost |
entirely by their wits. There are num-
bers Of beggars, Of pedlers, and an inordi- !
nate number Of thieves. Vera Cruz is |
particularly noted in the last-named re- |
spect. and a friend Of the ColonePs had |
his overcoat stolen out Of the carriage as |
he drove along the street while another |
man lost his dressing case. which he held !
in front of him as he stood in the railway |
station. His legs were Vide apart. and |
the thief snatched the bag through them.
Colonel Cutshaw had large pineapple |
in his pocket. and the bulky appearance |
excited the greed of one OF the nimble-
fingered gentry, who ran his hand among /
the pricJxly leaves, and retired bafiied and |
discounted
The better class OF Mexicans dress pic
t,,resouelv. and even extravagantly. The |
r,e, wear dainty shoes (for the Mexicans'
hands and feet are small and shapeiy),
ana leather leggins, ornamented and
fastened with bright buttons. Tight-ht-
ting breeches, fine shirt, a short jacket
aIaboratelv embroidered and decorated
with a shawl OF fine texture over The
shoulders. and a black felt sombrero'
win silver or gold trimmings complete
the outfit. .,-
VERY UGLY WOMEN.
Tho women are fond of vivid colors.
Even the young women are not hand-
some and the little beauty they possess
sades early. and leaves old women who
are strikingly ugly. The natural com
,lexion of the Mexican is light yellow
but the desire OF the feminine heart ap-
,oo,. ~ he TO be as white-skinned as the
gatr American and European, who visits
,ha country. and TO this end, says Colonel
~,,,sbow the powder IS plastered on 10