NOTES ON HISTORY AND CLIMATE OF NEW MEXICO. 331 



fever and plague, are enervated and debased apparently beyond redemp- 

 tion. 



" The history of the nations on the Mediterranean, on the plains of the 

 Euphrates and the Tigris, the deltas of the Indus and Ganges, and the 

 rivers of China, exhibit this great fact: The gradual descent of races 

 fioai the highlands, their establishment on the coasts in cities sustained 

 and refreshed for a season by immigration from tlie interior, their degra- 

 dation in successive generations under the influence of the unhealthy 

 earth, and their final ruin, efl'acement, or subjugation by new races of 

 conquerors. The causes that destroy individual men lay cities waste, 

 which, in their nature, are immortal, and silently undermine eternal 

 empires. 



" On the highlands men feel the loftiest emotions. Every tradition 

 places their origin there. The first nations worshipped there. High on 

 the Indian Caucasus, on Olympus, and on other lofty mountains the 

 Indians and the Greeks imagined the abodes of their highest gods, while 

 they i)eopled the low underground regions, the grave-land of mortality, 

 with infernal deities. Their myths have a deep signification. Man feels 

 his immortality in the hills." (Page xciv, Report of William Farr, 

 esq., to the Registrar-General of England. London, 1852. 



The climate of Kansas, so far as my experience of it may warrant an 

 opinion — and I have served there in 1849, 1857, 1858, 1873, 1874, 1875 — 

 is not favorable to pulmonary invalids. They should go out on the plains 

 and gradually work theirway to themountains. Neither can Irecommend 

 Texas, unless it may be the region near San Antonio, which is said to be 

 favorable. San Antonio is, however, liable to choleraic visitations, and, 

 being a limestone region, the fatality is extreme. I have seen pulmonary 

 invalids visit New Orleans and very rapidly decline, I suppose on account 

 of the excessive humidity. 



Of Colorado I have no experience. It resembles the climate of New 

 Mexico, but is to the north of it, and may be inclement. 



Of New Mexico there are certain features worthy of consideration by 

 invalids and their advisers. 



I. The dryness of the atmosphere associated with elevation above sea- 

 level to be found at any elevation desired, in localities ranging from 

 3,600 to 8,000 feet. 



The dryness of all mountain regions is acknowledged. The range 

 of mountains in Colorado has this excellence in common with those of 

 New Mexico. 



By reference to the report of the Chief Signal-Officer of the Army for 

 January, 1875, it will be perceived that the percentages of relative hu- 

 midity for the different districts average as follctws : New England, 73 

 per cent. ; Middle Atlantic States, 74 ; South Atlantic States, 79 ; Gulf 

 States, 82^ Lower Lake region, 79; Upper Lake region, 70; Ohio Val- 

 ley, Tennessee, and the Northwest, 73. As usual, the mean relative 

 humidity has been lowest at the Rocky Mountain stations, amounting 



