The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-02
HOW TO TOUR IN MEXICO.
IFrom the Mexican HERALD

Tourists, studying Span1Sh-Amer1can
civilization as close range, are covering
the face of Mexico, taking notes, kodak
ing all things picturesque, consulting
the more or less reliable buide books,
and. giving credulous ears to the lives
and miracles of the professional tellerS
of thrilling tales. Once in awhile the
earth shudderS, angered at the yarns
that are spun, and shakes our cities as
if to be rid of local Munchausens, but,
considering that the underpinnings of
the planet are fairly sound and that
Mexico is kept quite firm by the super
incumbent weight of its mountain ram
geS, we fear no evil, and would assure
the tourist on the land that he incurs
no more risk than in the politically vol
canic United States where a free press
(when Hanna is not running presiden-
tial election) makes the public mind
uneasy all the time. Tourists should
cultivate patience; hot water does not
run through pipes here and the gentle
men chambermaidS are more than VIII
ling to procure it for a liberal tip; soap
is sacred and costly here, hence 1t is
made as hard and as enduring as the
Pyramids. The beds in the houses of
public entertainment are softer lnan
they were few years ago, and nobody
thinks any longer of Stufhng mattresses
with paving stones. Our scenery, II VIII
be observed, is undefaced with lnvlta-
lions to try patent pills and tooth
washes, and this is a mark of a super
ior civilization. And there Is a rare
hospitality to be noted here, for If your
the Tinyville bank up north, our local
beggars will lend you any reasonable
sum at 20 per cent month, taking
simple note of hand; they are the lead
ing capitalists and should be resorted
to before borrowing of people to whom
you have letters of introduction.
A few cautions may be of use; the
United States embassy was not estab-
lished as a place where guides may be
obtained gratis, but represents the Uni
ted States government in its intimate
relations with the powers that De IN
this country. 1t is perfectly safe, now
to visit the consulate which is not on a
war footing, for Mr.. Starr Hunt left the
other day, taking his machine guns
with him, and everything is on a peace
footing. 1t is just as we'll not TO puy
curiosities on the street corners as the
peripatetic vendors are supplied by Wen
known curiO factories. Go TO estap1lsh-
ed merchants who pay taxes ana are
thus under bonds for good behavior. Do
not tread on the dogs which lie stretch-
ed out in the sun; it Is a respectable
Moorish custom we have here preserved
to treat the canine species WIN resPeol'
and it contributes to the picturesque
ness of the city. Also do not keep TO
the right" As no one else does, you
may find yourself in collision with hal1
the town. The correct thing is to dance
a polka on the sidewalks and beg par
don. Most of the old residents have
corns: but they never mention the SUP
iect even in moments of deep anguish.
no NOT read the Anglo-American (pub--
lished Saturday. unless you wish to see
+be searnv side of local life relentlessly
displayed. 49,.
not pail on the mind; a mountain at the
end of every street is all well enough
in it's way, but it interrupts the amer
can plutocrat here, who sald 1haC ne
preferred a clean collar and champagne
in a COW cafe corner to climbing noun
tains in a neglige shirt. 1t is perfect
Nv safe to visit the WOman'S club, ana
will be promotive of the higher culture
after you go home. Likewise the amer
lean hospital is a well managed inst
tuition and SO long as Mr. Wepo auolIS
the accounts you can back it for all
your disposable cash: It Is untrue,
despite the Correo de Espana, tnat
Spaniards here hate all Americans with
a deep and bitter hatred on the CON
trary the Spanish shopkeepers will take
YOUR cash and say pleasant THINGS 10
you across the counter They are1nlghty
civil people. New acquaintance, VINO
want to get one to buy gold mlnes' OF
opal properties, may be all right; IN
case of doubt consult Col. Temple OF the
Mexican Central who cogitates for that
corporation and for all the rest OIL US.
when PerpleXed, Consult Temple, is
a motto found on most chamber waits
in this city. This being an INCIDENT
tow in the tropics, it pays to employ
a bright man to do ones thinking.
1t is perfectly safe to visit the su-
burbs without gun, but not without
small change. Coyoacan, where Cortes
first embarked in the real estate busi-
ness, is inhabited by our friend Mr..
HoIleman, an American dentist of fame,
and a number of assorted foreign people
of equal culture. 1t is perfectly secure
I'D till quarter past eight in the even
ing when the last train returns to the
city. The cinnamon groves of Coyoa-
can are famous and so are the Xochol1tl
birds which sing in their branches. The
Viga canal smelleth at the beginning
but grows sweeter later on. 1t is well
to take a little quinine before embark
ing in the canoas. In Tacubaya you
can gamble on the green to any extent,
and the game is fair. Some tourists
have paid their expenses by one even
ing's operations. Church members,
gambling for the first time, and losing,
receive back so per cent of their win
nings.
This is a land of open-hearted hospi-
tally, open all the time, day and even
ing. and the police will remove you
from scenes of peril if you whistle loud
enough to arouse them. No healthy
minded tourist misses the bullhght; 1t
produces agreeable cerebral agitation.
Remember that politeness is current
coin in this country and go where you
please. If you feel that your education
in urbanity has been neglected, call on
Peter Gay for an aperitivo and a lesson
or two.
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