ABJECT CONDITION OF MEXICAliS. 226 



whether sleeping or waking, — and afford them, perhaps, in greater nnmbet 

 and variety of species than any other known people.) 



But, before the picture is complete, we must be indulged in a brief sketch 

 of their kitchen economy. 



Knives, forks, spoons, and plates, seldom grace the board of a Mexican 

 in common circumstances. A single pot of earth, a knife, two or three 

 trenchers, and as many water-gourds, constitute almost the entire kitchen 

 furniture of the lower classes ; — a kind of gruel {tolle) made by stirring a 

 few handfuls of flour into boiling water or milk, is their principal subsis- 

 tence. 



Meat finds no place upon their larder,— it being an article too costly for 

 ordinary food, as the sheep and cattle of the country are owned by the 

 wealthy, and by their exorbitant demands placed beyond the means of the 

 commoner. Wood too, bemg two rials (25 cents) per mule-load, is seldom 

 used in the large towns for other than culinary- purposes. 



During the winter months, these filthy wretches are seen, day after day, 

 basking at the sunny side of their huts, and bestowing upon each other 

 certain friendly offices connected with the head, wherein the swarming 

 populace of the pericranium are liad in alternate requisition. 



The entire business of the country is in the iiands of the rich, upon 

 whom the laboring classes are mainly dependant for support ; and, as a natu- 

 ral consequence, the ricii know no end to their treasures, nor the poor to 

 their poverty. 



The common laborer obtains only from four to six dollars per month, out 

 of which he must feed and clothe liimself. In case he runs in debt beyond 

 his means, he is necessitated by law to serve for the required amount, at 

 two dollars per month ; — thus, once in debt, it is almost impossible ever to 

 extricate himself. 



But a thing adding still furtiier to his load of misfortunes is the hign 



{nice set upon the necessaries and comforts of life. This ranges as fol- 

 ows : coffee, from 37^ to 50 cts. per lb. ; sugar, from 18 to 25 cts. per 

 do.; calico, from 25 cts. to $1 per yd.; domestic, 25 to 50 cts, ; broadcloths, 

 irom $10 to $20, and every thing else in proportion. 



Under such circumstances, it is scarcely marvellous that we find the 

 Mexican in his present low state of degradation. 



Having faintly depicted the real condition of a large majority of the de- 

 generate inhabitants of New Mexico, it will be expected of me to say some- 

 thing of their intelligence and morality ; and here a still more revolting 

 task awaits my effort. 



. Intelligence is confined almost exclusively to the higher classes, and the 

 poor " palavro^" comes in for a very diminutive share. 



Education is entirely controlled by the priests, wno make use of their 

 utmost endeavors to entangle the minds of their pupils in the meshes of 

 superstition and bigotry. The result of this may be plainly stated in a few 

 words : 



Superstition and bigotry are universal,— all, both old and young, being 

 tied down to the disgusting formalities of a religion that manifests itself in 

 little else than senseless parade and- unmeaning ceremony, — while a large 

 majority can neither read nor write. 



