Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/277

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 Striking; features of the country.—Motives for exposition of facts.—Physical weakness of the people.—Want of mental energy.—Isolation and prohibitory duties.—House and land rents.—Financial difficulties.—Various classes.—State of the fine arts.—The army, trade, law, and medicine.—Social qualities.—Literature, language, and education.—Political future.

intelligent reader will most likely conclude on perusal of this work that the principal features of the country of Mexico—whether it be the wild beauty and variety of its natural scenery, the indolence and abject poverty of its chief population, or the splendour and influence of its church establishment—are all marked by redundancy and excess. This is the fact; and it may not be amiss to give, in the form of a summary, what appear to be the causes of the present state of the republic, together with the existing grounds for hope and promise in the future. The Author would wish to observe that he