Factors Of Mexican Progress

In the progresa and prosperity of any country tliere are several important factors. Chief amongst these may be mentioned natural resources, population, eucation, and means of transport. With the iirst of these Mexico is richly endowed. It is doubtful if any equal area on the face of the globe possesses larger deposits of the precious nietals, or lias already produced more of thern. Her coast lands for the most part are exceedingly fertile, producing in abundance the best growths of the tropics, but they have an imhealthy climate, and can never be developed by the labor of white men. The interior niay be described as a vast table-land, elevated f rom 5000 to 9000 f eet above the sea, and possessing a climate favorable, wherever water is found, to all the crops of the températe zone. Much of it, however, is arid and sandy, and in the north particularly water is scarce. Between these two great natural divisions lie what the Spaniards called the températe lands, where frost and excessive heat are unknown, and where everything that is grown froni New York to Florida, will thrive and yield abundantly. These températe lands, consisting of terraces or benches separated by steep slopes and deep valleys, and situated as they are for the most part ia a comparatively narrow belt, are alike a bar to the existence of navigable streams and the easy construction of good roada eönnecting the interior with the coast. Partly from this cause, and partij from the unprogressive character of the populatiou or the disturbed state of the country, the pack-saddle and the primitivo wagon have hitherto been the only means of transportation. This vast territory of 760,000 square miles, with a population estimated at ten millions, equals in extent our States east of the Mississippi and south of Michigan, while its population hardly exeeeds that of New York and Pennsylvania. Twothirds of this population are of pure Indias blood, thejremainiug third being either of Spanish descent ör of mixed races. New it is evident that any rapid progress in Mexico must come through colonization by somt; higher and more progressive race, or by tlie introduction of capital in large amounts to develop her natural resources by tlie aid of the native races, who are génerally peaceable and industrious. Yet, in a land with the climates of Mexico, where the wants and desires of the natives ure so limited, it would be contrary to all experience elsewhere if they should become a hard-working people from the mere desire of accumulation. Under no circumstances could much improvement be looked for without improved means of transportation, of which tke government was well aware, as is shown by the many liberal subsides it ïas granted to varióos railroad enterwises. - F. E. Prendergaat , in Harper's Magazine f ar July. "Would you rnind standing heretill I go in and get a cigar?" "Of course lot," she replied; but don't you think, Elenry, that smoking is offensive, and that it willbe easier to practuce economy after mairiage if practiced during courtship 't" "By gum, you'ro right," hesaid;"I shan't smoke any more, sweetie,"' and she looked unutterable ove at him as they resumed their walk. Just th en they carne to an ice-cream saloon, and he said: "There now, 1 neant to treat you tojice-cream, but as you say, it is best to practice econoniy during courtship. Ten cents for a cigar, thirty cents for two ice-creams - 'orty cents saved in a single night! L.et's go over to the fountain and take i drink of water." They went, but she was mad enough to bite her own head off. ■ ■ ' - - The mean depth of the sea is from 'our to five miles.