The Boy Travellers in Mexico / Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to Northern and Central Mexico, Campeachey, and Yucatan, With a Description of the Republics of Central America and of the Nicaragua Canal
AUTHOR OF
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE FAR EAST IN SOUTH AMERICA IN RUSSIA
ON THE CONGO AND IN AUSTRALASIA THE YOUNG NIMRODS
THE VOYAGE OF THE 'VIVIAN' ETC.
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE FAR EAST. Five Volumes. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00 each. The volumes sold separately. Each volume complete in itself.
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN SOUTH AMERICA. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentine Republic, and Chili; with Descriptions of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, and Voyages upon the Amazon and La Plata Rivers. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey in European and Asiatic Russia, with Accounts of a Tour across Siberia, Voyages on the Amoor, Volga, and other Rivers, a Visit to Central Asia, Travels among the Exiles, and a Historical Sketch of the Empire from its Foundation to the Present Time. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
THE BOY TRAVELLERS ON THE CONGO. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey with Henry M. Stanley Through the Dark Continent. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN AUSTRALASIA. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to the Sandwich, Marquesas, Society, Samoan, and Feejee Islands, and through the Colonies of New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN MEXICO. Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to Northern and Central Mexico, Campeachey, and Yucatan, with a Description of the Republics of Central America, and of the Nicaragua Canal. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
Thomas Wallace Knox
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THOMAS W. KNOX
PREFACE.
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE.—PLANS FOR THE JOURNEY.—TO MEXICO BY RAIL.—BAGGAGE, AND BOOKS ON THE COUNTRY.—BRUSHING UP THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF SPANISH.—WESTWARD FROM NEW YORK.—A HALT AT ST. LOUIS.—SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.—VISIT TO THE ALAMO.—REMINISCENCES OF THE FALL OF THE ALAMO.—BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO AND INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS.—NOTES ON THE RAILWAYS OF NORTHERN MEXICO.—OLD TEXAS AND MODERN CHANGES.—"G. T. T."—PRESENT WEALTH OF THE STATE.—ARRIVAL ON THE FRONTIER OF MEXICO.
THE AMERICAN INVASION OF TO-DAY.—MONTEREY AS A HEALTH RESORT; ITS SITE AND SURROUNDINGS.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—CAPTURE OF MONTEREY BY GENERAL TAYLOR.—SHORT HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.—FROM CORPUS CHRISTI TO MONTEREY.—THE ATTACK ON THE CITY.—CAPTURE OF THE FORTS AND THE BISHOP'S PALACE.—FRANK RECITES A POEM.—LIEUT. U. S. GRANT AND WHAT HE DID AT MONTEREY.—A STORY ABOUT JEFFERSON DAVIS.—HOW JOHN PHENIX ESCAPED CASHIERING—SIGHTS OF THE CITY.—THE MARKET-PLACE AND WHAT WAS SEEN THERE.—FRUITS, BIRDS, POTTERY, ETC.—IN A MONTEREY HOUSE.—A PALATIAL RESIDENCE.
SOUTHWARD TO SALTILLO.—SANTA CATERINA.—REMARKABLE CAVES.—SCENERY OF THE SIERRA MADRE.—WAY-SIDE ATTRACTIONS.—THE CACTUS; ITS FLOWERS AND MANY VARIETIES.—SALTILLO.—THE ALAMEDA.—MEXICAN CURRENCY.—THE BATTLE-FIELD OF BUENA VISTA.—BY CARRIAGE AND SADDLE.—A NIGHT AT A HACIENDA.—MEXICAN COOKERY.—TORTILLAS, PUCHERO, FRIJOLES, TAMALES, AND OTHER EDIBLES.—HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR FROM MONTEREY TO BUENA VISTA.—5,000 AMERICANS DEFEAT 20,000 MEXICANS.—DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD.—COTTON FACTORY AT SALTILLO.—COTTON MANUFACTURES IN MEXICO.
NAME, POPULATION, AND PECULIARITIES OF ZACATECAS.—THE PILGRIMAGE CHAPEL.—A WEALTHY CATHEDRAL.—STREET SCENES.—MINES OF ZACATECAS.—A DANGEROUS DESCENT.—THE PATIO PROCESS OF REDUCING ORES.—TREADING ORE WITH MULES AND HORSES.—A SORRY SIGHT.—THE MINERS; HOW THEY LIVE AND WORK.—STATISTICS OF SILVER-MINING IN MEXICO.—ASTOUNDING CALCULATIONS.—FROM ZACATECAS TO AGUAS CALIENTES.—FARM SCENES.—FARMING IN MEXICO.—CONDITION OF LABORERS.—MEN AS BEASTS OF BURDEN.—AGUAS CALIENTES.—A BEAUTIFUL CITY.—A PICTURESQUE POPULATION.—WOMEN OF MEXICO.
SOUTHWARD AGAIN.—CROSSING A BARRANCA.—BARRANCAS IN MEXICO.—LAGOS AND ITS PECULIARITIES.—LEON, THE MANUFACTURING CITY OF MEXICO.—SILAO.—ARRIVAL AT GUANAJUATO.—A SILVER CITY.—THE VALENCIANO MINE.—AN UNHEALTHY PLACE.—BAD DRAINAGE.—A SYSTEM OF RESERVOIRS.—THE CASTILLO DEL GRENADITAS.—AN INDIAN'S ARMOR.—EXPERT THIEVES.—STEALING A GRINDSTONE.—MARKET SCENES.—HEADS OF SHEEP AND GOATS.—SCHOOLS AT GUANAJUATO.—EDUCATION IN MEXICO.—DOWN IN THE RAYAS MINE.—SIGHTS UNDERGROUND.—AN INDIAN WATER-CARRIER.—HOW A SKIN IS TAKEN WHOLE FROM A PIG.—THE REDUCTION HACIENDA.—MR. PARKMAN'S MACHINE.—QUERETARO.—THE HERCULES AND OTHER COTTON-MILLS.
AQUEDUCT AT QUERETARO.—THE RESULT OF A BANTER.—THE HILL OF THE BELLS.—PLACE WHERE MAXIMILIAN WAS SHOT.—REVOLUTIONS IN MEXICO.—FOREIGN INTERVENTION.—MAXIMILIAN BECOMES EMPEROR.—THE "BLACK DECREE."—WITHDRAWAL OF FRENCH TROOPS FROM MEXICO.—MAXIMILIAN'S DEFEAT, CAPTURE, AND DEATH.—HOW A FRENCH NEWSPAPER CIRCUMVENTED THE LAWS.—PRONUNCIAMENTOS.—JUAREZ AS PRESIDENT.—THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF MEXICO.—A WONDERFUL PROPHECY.—PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF JUAREZ.—RELIGION IN MEXICO.—FORMER POWER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.—THE LAWS OF THE REFORM.—PROTESTANT CHURCHES AND PROTESTANT WORK.—MISSIONARY MARTYRS.—MURDER OF REV. J. L. STEPHENS.—RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS AT PRESENT.
THE CATHEDRAL OF MEXICO.—SITE OF THE AZTEC TEOCALLI.—HUMAN SACRIFICES.—PANORAMA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.—EXTENT AND COST OF THE CATHEDRAL; CHAPELS AND ALTARS.—TOMB OF ITURBIDE.—THE CAREER AND TRAGIC END OF ITURBIDE.—THE RICHEST ALTAR IN THE WORLD.—GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS A MAN COULD NOT LIFT.—THE AZTEC CALENDAR-STONE; ITS INTERESTING FEATURES; INSCRIPTION ON THE STONE.—BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE AZTECS.—THE TRIBE CALLED MEXICANS.—AZTEC LAWS AND CUSTOMS.—PREVALENCE OF THE DEATH PENALTY.—AZTEC POSTING SYSTEM.—PICTURE-WRITING.—FLOWER-SHOW IN THE ZOCALO.—A FASHIONABLE ASSEMBLAGE.—WONDERFUL WORK IN FEATHERS.
LOST ARTS IN MEXICO.—GOLDSMITHS' WORK IN THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—SILVER FILIGREE.—MODELLING IN WAX AND CLAY.—NATIVE TASTE FOR MUSIC.—NATIONAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.—MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES.—THE SACRIFICIAL STONE.—SACRIFICES AMONG THE ANCIENT MEXICANS.—GLADIATORIAL STONE.—A BRAVE SOLDIER.—OBSIDIAN KNIVES AND RAZORS.—AZTEC METALLURGY.—STATUE OF THE GOD OF WAR.—SHIELD AND CLOAK OF MONTEZUMA.—AZTEC WARFARE AND DOMESTIC LIFE.—RELICS OF HIDALGO AND MAXIMILIAN.—MAX'S STATE COACH.—NATIONAL PALACE.—HALL OF THE AMBASSADORS.—MEXICAN PAINTINGS.—THE MONTE DE PIEDAD.—AN EXTENSIVE PAWN-SHOP.—LOCKING UP MEN AS SECURITY.—FORMALITIES OF THE SALESROOM.
COURTSHIP IN MEXICO.—"PLAYING THE BEAR."—LOVERS' TROUBLES.—A SHORT ROAD TO MATRIMONY.—PRESENTS TO THE EXPECTANT BRIDE.—THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.—TEDIOUS PRELIMINARIES.—CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS MARRIAGES.—DIFFERENCES OF MARRIAGE AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE UPPER CLASSES.—A HAND-BOOK FOR LOVERS.—FUNERALS; HOW THEY ARE MANAGED.—CARDS OF CONDOLENCE.—CEMETERIES.—MONUMENT TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS.—ANNUAL DEATH-RATE IN MEXICO CITY.—PREVALENT DISEASES.—DOMESTIC SERVANTS; THEIR NUMBER, WAGES, AND MODE OF LIFE.—A PECULIAR LAUNDRY SYSTEM.
THE PASEO DE LA REFORMA.—BRIGANDAGE NEAR THE CITY.—STATUE OF CHARLES IV. OF SPAIN.—STATUE OF COLUMBUS.—A RELIC OF MAXIMILIAN.—AQUEDUCTS FROM CHAPULTEPEC.—MONTEZUMA'S TREE.—CHAPULTEPEC; ITS HEIGHT AND EXTENT.—MONTEZUMA'S BATH.—THE PALACE.—"THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR."—NATIONAL MILITARY COLLEGE.—MOLINO DEL REY.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ADVANCE UPON MEXICO.—CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ.—BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO.—ENTERING THE VALLEY.—CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO.—FALL OF CHAPULTEPEC.—GENERAL SCOTT'S ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY.—TREATY OF PEACE.—GENERAL GRANT ON THE MEXICAN WAR.
ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL.—"THE WHITE WOMAN."—GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE VOLCANO.—FIRST ASCENT BY WHITE MEN.—AMECAMECA.—HIRING HORSES AND BUYING PROVISIONS.—EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXCURSION.—DANGER OF ROBBERS.—PEONS AND VOLCANEROS.—FIELDS OF BARLEY AND FORESTS OF PINE.—AN INDIAN TRADITION.—FATE OF THE GIANT AND GIANTESS.—ICE FROM POPOCATEPETL FOR THE CITY OF MEXICO.—SULPHUR FROM THE CRATER.—SLEEPING AT TLAMACAS.—ARRIVAL AT LA CRUZ.—THE ASCENT ON FOOT.—DIFFICULTIES OF CLIMBING IN THE RAREFIED AIR.—THE PICO DEL FRAILE.—CAUGHT IN A CLOUD.
THE ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL CONTINUED.—LAST STEPS OF THE UPWARD JOURNEY.—LOSS OF LIFE ON THE MOUNTAIN.—HOW THREE INDIANS PERISHED.—THE CRATER OF THE VOLCANO.—HOW THE SULPHUR-MINERS EXIST.—DANGERS OF THE CRATER.—THE SOLFATARAS.—CAUGHT IN A STORM.—VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT.—SCENES IN THE CRATER.—A RAPID DESCENT.—TOBOGGANING ON A GRAND SCALE.—HOW THE SULPHUR-MINE ORIGINATED.—NO ERUPTION IN SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS.—RETURN TO AMECAMECA.—EXPLORATION OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY.—TOMBS AND THEIR CONTENTS.—CURIOUS INSTANCE OF PRESERVATION.—MONTE SACRO.—"MODERN ANTIQUITIES."—INDIANS WORSHIPPING THE VOLCANO.—EXPERIENCE WITH A RATERO.
RAPACIOUS CARGADORES.—OLD BOOK-STORES IN THE PORTALES.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE MEXICAN CAPITAL; THE PUPILS IN ATTENDANCE.—THEATRES AND HOSPITALS.—A THEATRE SUPPORTING A HOSPITAL.—THE BROTHERS OF CHARITY.—INSIDE THE THEATRES.—A PERFORMANCE OF OPERA.—A MINOR THEATRE.—LISTENING TO A MEXICAN PERFORMANCE.—BULL-FIGHTING IN MEXICO.—A DISGRACEFUL SPORT.—ORIGIN OF THE BULL-FIGHT.—MARIONETTE THEATRES.—THE PROCESSIONS.—MEXICAN LOVE FOR COCK-FIGHTING.—COMMINGLING OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIALS AND AMUSEMENTS.—THE POSADA AND THE PASTORELA; THEIR PECULIARITIES.—KILLING JUDAS.
EXCURSION TO TULA.—AN ANCIENT CITY OF THE TOLTECS.—CHURCH OF THE TIME OF CORTEZ.—MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE TOLTECS.—TOLTEC KINGS, COURTS, AND KNIGHTHOOD.—RUINS OF THE TEMPLE AND PALACE.—JOURNEY TO MORELOS.—INTEROCEANIC RAILWAY.—MORELOS AND HIS SERVICES TO MEXICO.—CUAUTLA AND ITS ATTRACTIONS.—TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—DOWN THE SOUTHERN SLOPE.—IN TIERRA CALIENTE.—VISITING A SUGAR ESTATE.—TO YAUTEPEC AND CUERNAVACA.—RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.—SITUATION OF CUERNAVACA.—OLD CHURCH AND PALACE OF CORTEZ.—A FORTUNATE FRENCHMAN.—ROMANTIC INCIDENT IN THE CAPTURE OF CUERNAVACA.
OVERLAND TO ACAPULCO.—SCENES OF LONG AGO.—PRESENT MODE OF TRAVEL.—TEN DAYS ON HORSEBACK.—WAY-SIDE ACCOMMODATIONS.—ACAPULCO'S HARBOR.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.—EXCURSION TO GUADALAJARA.—DOCTOR BRONSON LEFT BEHIND.—OLD BRIDGES AND THEIR HISTORY.—BATTLE BETWEEN HIDALGO AND THE SPANIARDS.—STORIES ABOUT BRIGANDS.—SLAUGHTER BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.—HOW SEÑOR PEREZ SECURED PEACE.—ATTRACTIONS OF GUADALAJARA.—THE CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CHURCHES.—THE GREAT HOSPICIO.—WHAT THE EARTHQUAKE DID.—PUBLIC SCHOOLS.—A DAY ON A CATTLE HACIENDA.—A RODEO.—RETURN TO THE CAPITAL.
FURTHER SIGHTS IN PUEBLA.—ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS.—SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, ASYLUMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.—CHOLULA AND ITS GREAT PYRAMID.—FIRST SIGHT OF THE PYRAMID; ITS CHARACTER, SIZE, AND PECULIARITIES.—ANCIENT CHOLULA.—MASSACRE OF INHABITANTS BY CORTEZ.—RUMORS OF BURIED TREASURES.—HOW A CRAFTY PRIEST WAS FOILED.—VISIT TO TLASCALA.—THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN SESSION.—BANNER CARRIED BY CORTEZ.—FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.—ANCIENT PULPIT AND BAPTISMAL FONT.—A REVERED SHRINE.—FROM TLASCALA TO APIZACO AND ONWARD TOWARDS THE GULF.
THE COATZACOALCOS RIVER.—ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC.—TEHUANTEPEC RAILWAY AND SHIP-CANAL.—THE EADS SHIP-RAILWAY.—AN IDEA OF CORTEZ.—PLANS OF CAPTAIN EADS.—A RAILWAY-CARRIAGE WITH 1200 WHEELS.—SHIPS CARRIED IN TANKS.—ENGINEERING AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE SHIP-RAILWAY.—MAHOGANY TRADE.—FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THREE LOGS.—FRONTERA AND TABASCO.—RUINS OF PALENQUE.—LORILLARD CITY.—EXPLORATIONS BY STEPHENS AND CHARNAY.—PALACE OF PALENQUE.—TEMPLE OF THE CROSS.—TEMPLE OF LORILLARD.—REMARKABLE IDOL.—A REGION ABOUNDING IN RUINS.—REMAINS OF MITLA.—PILLAR OF DEATH.
CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE REPUBLICS COMPOSING IT; A SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY; AREA AND POPULATION.—SNAKES, LIZARDS, AND OTHER CREEPING THINGS.—COSTA RICA AND ITS REVOLUTIONS.—A PRESIDENT WHO COULDN'T READ.—HONDURAS AND ITS RESOURCES.—VISIT TO TEGUCIGALPA.—YUSCARAN AND ITS MINERAL WEALTH.—UNFORTUNATE FINANCIERING.—INTERESTING SOCIAL CUSTOMS.—INTEROCEANIC CANALS; THEIR PRESENT STATUS.—THE NICARAGUA CANAL; SURVEYS, ESTIMATES, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE; PROBABLE ADVANTAGES TO THE WORLD'S COMMERCE; TERMS OF THE CONCESSION; ESTIMATED COST, REVENUES, AND SAVING OF DISTANCES.—FAREWELL TO MEXICO.—THE END.
THE END.
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