Mexico, its ancient and modern civilisation, history and political conditions, topography and natural resources, industries and general development; . nditions of the country callfor. In those places where the peones are distrustful ofthe white foreigners it is generally due to the influence ofthese, who have ingrained their own bad habits and vicesupon them. A gentleman, if he holds the demeanourcovered by the designation, ever carries respect in of life and travel in remote regions, amongthe petty authorities and the hacendados, rancheros, andlandowners generally, are full o
Mexico, its ancient and modern civilisation, history and political conditions, topography and natural resources, industries and general development; . nditions of the country callfor. In those places where the peones are distrustful ofthe white foreigners it is generally due to the influence ofthese, who have ingrained their own bad habits and vicesupon them. A gentleman, if he holds the demeanourcovered by the designation, ever carries respect in of life and travel in remote regions, amongthe petty authorities and the hacendados, rancheros, andlandowners generally, are full of colour and interest forthe traveller. Our belongings are securely packed upon acouple of well-appointed mules ; we are astride passableMexican horses, seated on comfortable saddles, with ourservant and the arriero in attendance, and we have left thelast of the city streets ; with our face to the open countrythe true charm of travel comes upon us—the touch ofNature, solitude, and the far horizon which nothing elsecan ever supply. Thus accoutred we shall hold realconverse with Nature, and with the typical people of theland over which we MEXICAN LIFE AND TRAVEL 213 Let us therefore turn our attention to the picturesqueworld of the great bulk of the Mexican population, theclass which earns its daily bread by the sweat of its are the peones, and to their work is due the culti-vation of the ground, the working of the mines, and allthe manual labour without which the industries of thecountry would be non-existent. The peon is not neces-sarily a forced labourer. Nevertheless, the conditions ofhis life are such that he is not a free agent as the workingmen of other countries are. His payment is largelyreceived in goods which he is obliged to purchase in thegeneral store of the hacienda, belonging to the proprietor,or by some one licensed thereby. This is a species oftruck system. High prices and short weight—inaccordance with the business principles underlying su
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