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| BIBLIOGRAPHY | [xxi] |
| INTRODUCTION BY MARTIN HUME | [xxv] |
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| CHAPTER I |
| A FIRST RECONNAISSANCE | [1] |
| | Romance of history—Two entrance ways—Vera Cruz—Orizaba—The GreatPlateau—Fortress of Ulua—Sierra Madre—Topographical structure—TheGulf coast—Tropical region—Birds, animals, and vegetation of coastzone—Tierra caliente—Malaria—Foothills—Romantic scenery—Generalconfiguration of Mexico—Climatic zones—Temperate zone—Cold zone—TheCordillera—Snow-capped peaks—Romance of mining—Devout miners—Subterraneanshrines—The great deserts—Sunset on the Great Plateau—Coyotesand zopilotes—Irrigated plantations—Railways—Plateau ofAnahuac—The cities of the mesa central—Spanish-Americancivilisation—Romance of Mexican life—Mexican girls, music, andmoonlight—The peones and civilisation—American comparisons—Pleasingtraits of the Mexicans—The foreigner in Mexico—Picturesquemining-towns—Wealth of silver—Conditions of travel—Railways—Invasions—Lerdo'saxiom—Roads and horsemen—Strong religioussentiment—Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl—Sun-god of Teotihuacan—Cityof Mexico—Valley of Mexico—The Sierra Madre—Divortia aquarum ofthe continent—Volcano of Colima—Forests and ravines—Cuernavaca—Thetrail of Cortes—Acapulco—Romantic old haciendas—Tropicsunset—Unexplored Guerrero—Perils and pleasures of the trail—Sunset in thePacific Ocean. | |
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| CHAPTER II |
| THE DAWN OF MEXICO: TOLTECS AND AZTECS | [20] |
| | Lake Texcoco—Valley of Anahuac—Seat of the Azteccivilisation—Snow-capped peaks—Pyramids of Teotihuacan—Toltecs—The firstAztecs—The eagle, cactus, and serpent—Aztec oracle andwanderings—Tenochtitlan—Prehistoric American civilisations—Maya, Incas—Quitoand Peru—The dawn of history—The Toltec empire—Rise, régime,fall—Quetzalcoatl—Otomies—Chichemecas—Nezahualcoyotl—Astlan—Theseven tribes and their wanderings—Mexican war-god—TheTeocallis—Human sacrifices—Prehistoric City of Mexico—The Causeways—Aztecarts, kings, and civilisation—Montezuma—Guatemoc—Impressions of theSpaniards—The golden age of Texcoco—Vandalism of Spanisharchbishop—The poet-king and his religion—Temple to the UnknownGod—Aztecs and Incas compared—The Tlascalans—TheOtomies—Cholula—Mexican tribes—Aztec buildings—Prehistoric art—Origin of Americanprehistoric civilisation—Biblical analogies—Supposed Asiatic andEgyptian origins—Aboriginal theory. | |
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| CHAPTER III |
| THE STRANGE CITIES OF EARLY MEXICO | [37] |
| | Principal prehistoric monuments—Aztec capital ofTenochtitlan—Pyramids of Teotihuacan—Toltec sun-god—Pyramid of Cholula—Pyramidsof Monte Alban—Ruins of Mitla—Remarkable monoliths andsculpture—Beautiful prehistoric stone-masonry—Ruins of Palenque—Temple of theSun, and others—Stone vault construction—Tropical vegetation—Ruinsof Yucatan—Maya temples—Architectural skill—Temples ofChichen-Ytza—Barbaric sculpture—Effect of geology on building—TheAztec civilisation—Land and social laws—Slavery—Taxes, products,roads, couriers—Analogy with Peru—Aztec homes and industries—War,human sacrifice, cannibalism—History, hieroglyphics,picture-writing—Irrigation, agriculture, products—Mining, sculpture, pottery—Currencyand commerce—Social system—Advent of the white man. | |
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| CHAPTER IV |
| CORTES AND THE CONQUEST | [56] |
| | Landing of Cortes—Orizaba peak—The dawn of conquest—Discovery ofYucatan—Velasquez and Grijalva—Life and character of Cortes—Cortesselected to head the expedition—Departure from Cuba—Arrival atYucatan—The coast of Vera Cruz—Marina—Vera Cruz established—Aztecsurprise at guns and horses—Montezuma—Dazzling Aztec gifts—Messagesto Montezuma—Hostility of the Aztecs—Key to the situation—TheCempoallas—Father Olmedo—Religion and hypocrisy of theChristians—March to Cempoalla—Montezuma's tax-collectors—Duplicity ofCortes—Vacillation of Montezuma—Destruction of Totonac idols—Cortesdespatches presents to the King of Spain—Cortes destroys hisships—March towards the Aztec capital—Scenery upon line of march—Thefortress of Tlascala—Brusque variations of climate—TheTlascalans—Severe fighting—Capitulation of Tlascala—Faithful allies—Messengersfrom Montezuma—March to Cholula—Massacre of Cholula—The snow-cappedvolcanoes—First sight of Tenochtitlan. | |
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| CHAPTER V |
| THE FALL OF THE LAKE CITY | [76] |
| | The Valley of Mexico—The City and the Causeways—The Conquistadoresenter Mexico City—Meeting of Cortes and Montezuma—Greeting of theAztec emperor to the Spaniards—Tradition of Quetzalcoatl—Splendidreception—The Teocalli—Spanish duplicity—Capture ofMontezuma—Spanish gambling—News from Vera Cruz—Forced march to thecoast—Cortes defeats Narvaez—Bad news from Mexico—Back to thecapital—Alvarado's folly—Barbarous acts of the Spaniards—The fight on thepyramid—Destruction of Aztec idols—Death of Montezuma—Spaniards fleefrom the city—Frightful struggle on the Causeway—Alvarado's leap—TheNoche Triste—Battle of Otumba—Marvellous victory—Spanishrecuperation—Cuitlahuac and Guatemoc—Fresh operations against thecapital—Building of the brigantines—Aztec tenacity—Expedition toCuernavaca—Xochimilco—Attack upon the city—Struggles andreverses—Sacrifice of Spaniards—Desertion of the Allies—Return of theAllies—Renewed attacks—Fortitude of the Aztecs—The famouscatapult—Sufferings of the Aztecs—Final attack—Appalling slaughter—FerociousTlascalans—Fall of Mexico. | |
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| CHAPTER VI |
| MEXICO AND THE VICEROYS | [98] |
| | General considerations—Character of Viceroy rule—Spanishcivilisation—Administration of Cortes—Torture of Guatemoc—Conquestsof Guatemala and Honduras—Murder of Guatemoc—Fall of Cortes—Firstviceroy Mendoza—His good administration—Misrule of theAudiencias—Slavery and abuse of the Indians—The Philippine islands—Progressunder the Viceroys—Plans for draining the Valley of Mexico—Britishbuccaneers—Priestly excesses—Raid of Agramonte—Exploration ofCalifornia—Spain and England at war—Improvements and progress in theeighteenth century—Waning of Spanish power—Decrepitude ofSpain—Summary of Spanish rule—Spanish gifts to Mexico—The rising ofHidalgo—Spanish oppression of the colonists—Oppression by thecolonists of the Indians—Republicanism and liberty—Operations anddeath of Hidalgo—The revolution of Morelos—Mier—The dawn ofIndependence—The birth of Spanish-American nations. | |
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| CHAPTER VII |
| THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN MEXICO | [113] |
| | Monarchical régime of Iturbide—Great area of Mexican Empire—SantaAnna—The Holy Alliance—Execution of Iturbide—The MonroeDoctrine—British friendship—The United States—Masonic institutions—Politicalparties—Expulsion of Spaniards—Revolution and crime—Clericalantagonism—Foreign complications—The "pie-war"—The Texan war—Theslavery question—Mexican valour—American invasion of Mexico—Fall ofMexico—Treaty of Guadalupe—Cession of California—Gold inCalifornia—Benito Juarez appears—Conservatives and Liberals—Massacreof Tacubaya—The Reform laws—Disestablishment of the Church—DishonestMexican finance—Advent of Maximilian—The English, Spanish, and Frenchexpedition—Perfidy of the French—Capture of Mexico City by theFrench—Crowning of Maximilian—Porfirio Diaz—Rule of Maximilian—Fallof his empire—Death of Maximilian—The tragedy of Querétaro—Diaztakes Mexico City—Presidency of Juarez—Lerdo—Career and character ofDiaz—First railways built—Successful administration ofDiaz—Political stability—Forward policy. | |
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| CHAPTER VIII |
| PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: MOUNTAINS, TABLELANDS, AND FLORA AND FAUNA | [134] |
| | Geographical conditions—Tehuantepec—Yucatan—Boundaries andarea—Population—Vera Cruz—Elevations above sea-level—Latitude—Generaltopography—The Great Plateau—The Sierra Madres—The MexicanAndes—General structure—The coasts—Highest peaks—Snow-cap andvolcanoes—Geological formation—Geological scenery—Hydrographicsystems—Rivers—Navigation—Water-power—Lakes—Climate and temperatures—Thethree climatic zones—Rainfall—Snowfall—Flora andfauna—Soil—Singular cactus forms—The desert flora—The tropical flora—Forestregions—Wild animals—Serpents, monkeys, and felidæ—Sportingconditions—Birds. | |
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| CHAPTER IX |
| THE MEXICAN PEOPLE | [154] |
| | Ethnic conditions—Spanish, Mestizos, Indians—Colour-line—Foreignelement—The peones—Land tenure—The Spanish people—The nativetribes—The Apaches—The Mexican constitution—Classdistinctions—Mexican upper class—Courtesy and hospitality—Quixotism of theMexicans—Idealism and eloquence—General characteristics—Ideas ofprogress—American anomalies—Haciendas—Sport—Militarydistinctions—Comparison with Anglo-Saxons—Republicanism—Language—Lifein the cities—Warlike instincts—The women of Mexico—Mexicanyouths—Religious observance—Romantic Mexican damsels—Thebull-fights. | |
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| CHAPTER X |
| THE CITIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF MEXICO | [178] |
| | Character of Mexican cities—Value of Mexican civilisation—Types ofMexican architecture—Mexican homes and buildings—The Plaza—Socialrelations of classes—The City of Mexico—Valley of Mexico—Latitude,elevation, and temperature—Buildings—Bird's-eye view—Thelakes—Drainage works—Viga canal and floating gardens—Generaldescription—The cathedral—Art treasures—Religious orders—Chapultepec—Pasco dela Reforma—The President—Description of a bull-fight—Country homesand suburbs—Colleges, clubs, literary institutions—Churches andpublic buildings—Army and Navy—Cost of living—Police—Lighting andtramways—Canadian enterprise—British commercial relations—TheAmerican—United States influence—A general impression of Mexico. | |
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| CHAPTER XI |
| MEXICAN LIFE AND TRAVEL | [207] |
| | Travel and description—Mexican cities—Guadalajara—LakeChapala—Falls of Juanacatlan—The Pacific slope—Colima—Puebla—Cities of theGreat Plateau—Guanajuato—Chihuahua—The Apaches—Thepeones—Comparison with Americans—Peon labour system—Mode of living—Housesof the peon class—Diet—Tortillas andfrijoles—Chilli—Pulque—Habits of the peon class—Their religion—The waysidecrosses and their tragedies—Ruthless political executions—The fallencross—Similarity to Bible scenes—Peon superstitions—The ignisfatuus, or relacion—Caves and buried treasure—Prehistoric Mexicanreligion—The Teocallis—Comparison with modern religioussystems—Philosophical considerations. | |
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| CHAPTER XII |
| MEXICAN LIFE AND TRAVEL (continued) | [230] |
| | Anthropogeographical conditions—The Great Plateau—The tropicalbelt—Primitive villages—Incidents of travel on the plateau—Lack ofwater—Hydrographic conditions—Venomous vermin—Travel by roads anddiligencias—A journey with a priest—Courtesy of the peonclass—The curse of alcohol—The dress of the working classes—The women ofthe peon class—Dexterity of the natives—The bull-fights—A narrowescape—Mexican horse equipment—The vaquero and the lasso—Nativesports—A challenge to a duel—Foreigners in Mexico—UnexploredGuerrero—Sporting conditions—Camp life—A day's hunting. | |
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| CHAPTER XIII |
| MINERAL WEALTH. ROMANCE AND ACTUALITY | [255] |
| | Forced labour in the mines—Silver and bloodshed—History ofdiscovery—Guanajuato—the veta Madre—Spanishmethods—Durango—Zacatecas—Pachuca—The patio process—Quicksilver from Peru—Cornishminers' graves—Aztec mining—Spanish advent—Old miningmethods—Romance of mining—The Cerro de Mercado—Guanajuato and Hidalgo—Realdel Monte—Religion and mining—Silver and churches—Subterraneanaltars—Mining and the nobility—Spanish mining school—Modernconditions—The mineral-bearing zone—Distribution of mineralsgeographically—Silver—The patio process—Gold-mining andproduction—El Oro and other districts—Copper—Other minerals—Generalmineral production—Mining claims and laws. | |
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| CHAPTER XIV |
| NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, GENERAL CONDITIONS | [282] |
| | Principal cultivated products—Timber—The three climaticzones—General agricultural conditions—Waste of forests—Irrigation—Regionof the river Nazas—Canal-making—Cotton and sugar-cane—Profitableagriculture—Mexican country-houses—Fruit gardens—Food products,cereals, and fibrous plants—Pulque production—India-rubber andguayule—List of agricultural products and values—Fruit culture andvalues—Forestry and land—Colonisation—Americanland-sharks—Conditions of labour—Asiatics—Geographical distribution ofproducts—The States of the Pacific slope—Sonora—LowerCalifornia—Sinaloa—Tepic—Jalisco—Colima—Michoacan—Guerrero—Oaxaca—Chiapas. | |
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| CHAPTER XV |
| NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, GENERAL CONDITIONS (continued) | [308] |
| | Central and Atlantic States—Chihuahua and the Rio Grande—Mining,forests, railways—Coahuila and its resources—Nuevo Leon and itsconditions—Iron, coal, railways, textile industries—Durango and itsgreat plains and mountain peaks—Aguascalientes—Zacatecas and itsmineral wealth—San Luis Potosi and its industries—Guanajuato,Querétaro and Hidalgo, and their diversified resources—Mexico and itsmountains and plains—Tlaxcala—Morelos and its sugar-caneindustry—The rich State of Puebla—Tamaulipas, a littoral state—The historicState of Vera Cruz, its resources, towns, and harbour—Campeche and thepeninsula of Yucatan. | |
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| CHAPTER XVI |
| MEXICAN FINANCE, INDUSTRIES, AND RAILWAYS | [328] |
| | Financial rise of Mexico—Tendencies toward restriction againstforeigners—National control of railways—Successful financialadministration—Favourable budgets—Good trade conditions—Foreignliabilities—Character of exports and imports—Commerce with foreignnations—Banks and currency—Principal industries—Manufacturingconditions—Labour, water-power, and electric installations—Textileindustry, tobacco, iron and steel, paper, breweries, etc.—Railways—TheMexican Railway—The Mexican Central Railway—The NationalRailroad—The Interoceanic—Governmental consolidation—The TehuantepecRailway—Port of Salina Cruz—Other railway systems. | |
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| CHAPTER XVII |
| GENERAL CONCLUSIONS | [350] |
| | Mexico's unique conditions—Her future—Asiatic immigrants—Fosteringof the native race—Encouraging of immigration—The white man in theAmerican tropics—Future of Mexican manufactures—The Pan-AmericanCongress—Pan-American railway—Mexico and Spain—The MonroeDoctrine—Mexico, Europe, and the United States—Promising future of Mexico. | |
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| INDEX | [357] |