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viii the information given, he alone is accountable; no contemporary statements having been referred to: except those relating to statistics, which are compiled from the best and most recent authorities, and are added to make the work more complete.

In order to form an idea of the whole country, the Author visited wild and remote districts, as well as populous cities, for the purpose of observing life of many shades and colours; and the following pages embrace scenes in the capital and in obscure hamlets, in prairies and mountains, and in habitations—not only of the wealthy and prosperous—but also in Indian huts: in short, to picture life and character among priests and léperos, hunters and miners, farmers and Indians, carriers and city authorities, has been the aim of the Author.

Should these pages have the good fortune to amuse the English reader by exhibiting life and manners so different from those of his own country, and to awaken some interest in the condition of Mexico—and thus tend towards its amelioration—the object of the Author will have been fully gained.

Albert Villa, Harrow, December 1, 1851.