Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/280

256 physical debility is owing much of the backward and unprosperous state of commerce and agriculture.

I have before alluded to the unfortunate geographical isolation of the country; not content with being divided from the rest of the world by seas, mountains, and deserts, however, the Mexicans have further increased these barriers, by continually adopting an oppressive and injuriously restrictive commercial policy. The prohibitory tariff preceding this chapter, will shew how miserably confined are the notions of successive Mexican legislatures, on this subject. If foreign goods are landed at all on the shores of the republic, it is under every possible discouragement and disadvantage; and thus less capital is circulated throughout the nation, fewer profitable investments are presented to the wealthy, and the prices paid by the poor population for necessary articles are ruinous and exorbitant.

In addition to the want of capital and labour, rents of houses and land in the cities of Mexico are enormously high; insomuch that none but the very wealthy can reside in good houses and decent neighbourhoods. This tends still further to increase the separation of