Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/574

568 know and understand each other better; for men, left to themselves, with all their diplomacy, lack the finer tact and instinct of women in uniting and binding together widely separated elements.

Those who intend to become residents will read with interest the late laws relating to foreigners.

There is a law of naturalization lately published that is important to Americans. Subjoined is a copy of the official notice:

Still another law requires that all foreigners should be matriculated at the Department for Foreign Affairs, that their nationality may be declared and recognized. Foreigners who wish to have a hearing before the courts of the country should not fail to comply with this law, as business interests are not secure without it.

The climate is all that is claimed for it—even more: and it is recommended as a safe retreat for those afflicted with pulmonary or throat troubles. But, even here, a disadvantage arises. If they improve and all goes well, it is not safe to return to their homes and this is the thing above all others they most wish to do. If they remain, the lungs will harden and heal over, causing little or no pain or inconvenience, and life be prolonged to a good old age. But the artificial or real strength imparted by the delightful climate lures them into a feeling of security. But a return home makes the decline more rapid than the improvement has been. However, if in the earlier stages of the disease, they will make up their minds to live in Mexico, taking all things as they find them, I believe many permanent cures will be