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74 The churches throughout the country are full of pictures, most of which are the work of Spanish artists, such as Murillo, Velasquez, Zurbaran, and Ribera. There are paintings by the former in the cathedrals of Mexico and Puebla, and in the church of La Compañía at the latter city.

The picturesque landscapes and street scenes of Mexico afford good material for artists, and we would recommend the country to them as a new field of labor.

Mexican Government has recently adopted a comprehensive plan for the encouragement of immigration. Agents are employed to bring settlers into the country. There is a bonus of from forty to fifty dollars a head for each immigrant, and the Government gives each helpless one an allowance of twenty-five cents a day till he can sup- port himself. Many Italians have come into Mexico. Some have been brought from New York, and others directly from the ports of Northern Italy. This scheme, however, is not productive of beneficial results. Each immigrant is maintained at the public expense for an indefinite period, and there is little incentive to work. Furthermore, a number of these Italian settlers belong to the criminal classes. A Mexican official of high rank has lately informed the author that this plan is about to be discontinued.

The Mexican Transatlantic Steamship Company will receive thirty dollars a head for each immigrant.

As the Federal Government owns but little land, of which sections may be given to settlers, arrangements have been made with the railroads to carry immigrants to the