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were formerly fourteen mints in the country, the oldest of which is that of the City of Mexico. Visitors are admitted to these institutions from 8 to 12, and from 1 to 4 It is better to go in the morning, as the workmen are more commonly employed during this time. English machinery is generally used at the mints.

The following table, taken from Señor Busto's great work, gives the coinage of the mints for the fiscal year of 1878 to 1879:

Before the Conquest letters were carried throughout the realm by swift-footed couriers. The distance from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, about 300 miles, was traversed in twenty-four hours.