A TRIP TO MEXICO/ 



It was 1113- mischance to reach Yera Cruz during one of the 

 "northers," which are the great storm winds of the western 

 coast of the Gulf of Mexico. They are the north-east trade 

 winds, deflected into north winds, and increased in their vio- 

 lence by the lofty chain of the Cordilleras, which rises but a 

 short distance inland, and presents an effectual barrier to the 

 further western course of air-currents seeking the equator from 

 the north-east. The northers are prevalent only during the 

 winter half of the year; but while they are blowing there is no 

 communication with any of the ports on this side of Mexico; 

 for there are no harbors nor any artificial protections against 

 their violence. 



Our steamer came to anchor under the lee of the island and 

 fortress of San Juan d'Uloa ; and there we lay, within full view 

 of all that was passing on the shore, and of the breakers dashing 

 over the piers, for twenty-four hours, before the small boats 

 could venture to come out to take us to land. This gave us 

 ample time and occasion to meditate on the inefficiency of this 

 people who could submit to such a great drawback and danger 

 to an important commerce during four hundred years. When 

 we did eventually land the next day, there were few who did not 

 get a good wetting in the breakers as their welcome to the land 

 of the tropics. 



As there is but little of interest in Vera Cruz, the most of our 

 passengers took the cars late the same night for the City of 

 Mexico, 250 miles back in the interior. For a few miles the 



* Written in 1876, and read before several Literary Societies. 



