Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/484

454 those advantages, which might be derived from the diversity of the climate, and the variety of the productions, on the Eastern slope of the Cordillera.

Under any circumstances this must have been the work of time, for the maritime districts are not only thinly inhabited, but are remarkable for the listless and indolent character of the population, which seems to increase in proportion to the bounty of nature, and the consequent facility of obtaining a supply of the necessaries of life.

Thus Veracruz, which, (after leaving the sea-coast,) in variety of productions, and fertility of soil, can be surpassed by no district of equal extent in the world, has a population not exceeding 250,000 individuals of every description, of whom it is supposed that not more than two-fifths are employed in the cultivation of a space of 4,141 square leagues: the remainder are inhabitants of the towns, either engaged in trade, or living in idleness. Nearly the same results would be given by an enquiry into the amount and distribution of the population upon the Western Coast; and the difficulty of rousing to exertion a society thus constituted, undoubtedly presents a very serious obstacle to any rapid improvement.

But still improvements have been found practicable wherever proper inducements have been held out for any length of time. The sugar, which formed so important an item in the Exports of Mexico before the Revolution, and amounted, in the years