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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
From A Traveler's
Note Book.
Across the Rio Grande—Some of the Cities
in flexico—The Price of Soap—Snow
Everywhere in the South—Points
of Interest to the Traveler.
Trade Relations with our
Sister Republic.
Dashes Here and There.
CITY OF MEXICO, Feb. 18, '95.
HERE is one fact painfully ap.
parent to the traveler in the
Mexican Republic, and that
is the lack of comfortable hotel
accommodations. The other
night in Monterey, I was
shown to my room by a youth in
whose veins were evidently blended the
blood of the Castilian with that of the
ancient Aztec. I noticed the lack of
many incidentals, particularly that of soap.
I had previously formed an opinion that
soap was little used down here. This inci-
dent confirmed my preconceived notions. I
made him acquainted with the fact that I
observed the lack of this saponacious com-
pound, and as the dust of the desert through
which I had passed had pretty nearly coated
the exposed portions, I was anxious to re-
move at least a bit of the soil before repair-
ing to the table. The boy grinned; he
looked at me and grinned.
I grinned obligingly in return because I
did not know of anything better to do.
He out-grinned me, and finally said:
"You got money; silver?"
"Yes, but these people down here are
making away with it devilish fast."
"No silver, no soap, Senor."
'' What, pay for soap ?''
"Ya, Senor."
"Well, bring it up."
After about half an hour's absence, the
boy returned, bringing in two cakes of soap,
and made me understand I had the privi-
lege of a choice at 10 and 25 cents per cake.
I chose the 2 5-cent piece. There was not
so very much of it, but it looked better.
Since then I have become accustomed to the
regular soap bill, and pay it cheerfully, yes,
willingly.
I simply interject this so that the boys
Of Course...
will understand that the "soap" bill in
Mexico may be elongated to an alarming
degree.
Jacksonville, Mobile and New Orleans
were fairly snowed under when I was there,
and the man who wrote of the sunny South-
land could have in no way anticipated the
frigid appearance of that section this year.
What was more alarming still, was the fact
that at Galveston we again encountered 18
inches more of the "beautiful;" this was on
the level. At Houston it began to clear up
a little, and when I reached San Antonio
the fall had decreased perceptibly. The
Rio Grande divided the snow belt, and
down here I have sighed for lighter jloth-
ing. About the time we entered the zona
torrida, which hill is marked by a big
monument, a little of the cooling effects of
that overplus which we left at New Orleans
would not have been objectionable.
Monterey gives one a good idea of a
Mexican city, although it is perhaps the
most American city in this Republic. The
picturesque costumes of the citizens, the
charming sights in and about town, en-
livened by music on the plaza, made a tarry
there quite enjoyable.
San Luis Potosi is an important city also.
It is surrounded by gardens and farms.
The streets here are clean and well paved.
They are regular, and are intersected by
numerous plazas and parks, which are filled
with tropical plants and trees. San Miguel
is another quite attractive place. At Catorce
is the largest silver mine in the Republic.
It is away up on the mountains, and all the
conveyancing is done on mule back; no
vehicle of any kind has been known to have
made the ascent of the mountains. I
think, perhaps, the first bit of scenery on
the entire route is the Toluca Valley. An
ancient city is here; it is said it was built
without a nail being driven.
From there it is only a short journey to
the volcano Nevada de Toluca. From the
crater of this volcano may be obtained a
view unsurpassed in the world. The waters
of the Mexican Gulf and the Pacific Ocean
may be plainly seen. My guide informed
me that they made excellent beer, also
pulque at Toluca. I sampled both, with a
leaning toward pulque, which, by the way,
is the national drink of Mexico. It is
drawn from the maguey plant each day, and
drank in itsunfermented state it has rather
a pleasant flavor, but they tell me, when
fermented, that it is quite different in its
after effects.
It then becomes what is
known as musealc; it doesn't pay to dally
with that.
A high-grade piano costs more
than an instrument which is in
The City of Mexico is surroimded by a
that class known as "medium,"
but what a satisfaction to sell a cluster of mountain ranges which form for
high-grade piano, and how pleasant the city a seemingly impregnable position.
to meet the customer and friends _ af-
ter the sale is made, particularly if it is a Our road lay up a mountain ten thousand
and some hundred feet before we com-
menced the descent to the plains, where is
located the Capital City. Mexico is a city
of over 3,000 inhabitants. I have not as yet
had an opportunity of exploring it to any
satisfactory degree. It is rich in historical
Just make a minute right here to write spots, from Chapultepec to the Alameda. I
to 215 Tremont Street, Boston, and find
intend to wind down to Vera Cruz, Acam-
out about it.
BOURNE
9
mecca, climb the volcano of Popocatepetl,
visit the Pyramids of the Sun, and then,
after witnessing a bull fight, I shall be will-
ing to right about face for the Rio Grande.
My admiration for the achievements of
Gen. Scott has increased in proportion to
my approach to this city. After marching
his troops 1,500 kilometres over cactus-cov-
ered plains, through a hostile country, he
showed indomitable will-power to swing his
artillery over the almost unsurmountable
amphitheatre of hills which surround this
city, to then descend and plant his victorious
banners on the halls of the Montezumas.
This entitles him to a prominent niche in
the Pantheon of fame.
The music trade of Mexico I shall deal
with in a later paper. I have been fortu-
nate enough to meet some distinguished
men in' the military and civil affairs of
Mexico, and through them I shall have no
trouble in ascertaining any information
that I may seek upon matters which con-
cern trade relations with the United States.
I expect to have an interview with Presi-
dent Diaz upon this subject. One thing
that is bound to impress the traveler here,
is the absorption of the industrial affairs of
Mexico by the Americans. They have be-
come large manufacturers, mine owners,
builders of railroads, in fact, the ever-ex-
panding power of the Anglo-Saxon is
plainty evident in old, sleepy Mexico. The'
march is steadily going on. It has made
rapid strides during the presidency of Gen-
eral Diaz, who seems particularly well dis-
posed toward his neighbors on the north in
the matter of valuable franchises.
He
evidently still cherishes the memory of the
kindly assistance given to him prior to the
execution of Maximilian.
T H E LAWRENCE ORGAN MANUFACTURING
Co., Easton, Pa., wall erect new organ works
on site about 200 feet square. The new
building will be a three-story brick struc-
ture, sufficient to increase the capacity of
the plant three or four fold. The erection
of the building will be commenced as soon
as the weather will permit.
Same Story
Everywhere we go—the
dealers who kandle the
Henry F. Miller
Are enthusiastic over
its merits. The}^ find
them bread win-
ners, money
makers.
You can, too.
Try them...
The Home
Address is
118 BOYLSTON ST.
BOSTON