FIRST IMPRESSIONS 



thought the Mexican went too far, as we 

 circumvented native interiors, and held our 

 breath and hurried, in spots along his streets. 

 Unfortunately, the white settler is apt to fall 

 into the slovenly ways of his coloured fellow- 

 citizen, and filthy backyards and contami- 

 nated water bring results which, in their 

 turn, cause grief and woe and the uplifting 

 of hands and eyes : ' Why do we have fevers 

 in this climate ?' More than this, alkali 

 water at its best, out on a scrupulously 

 swept and garnished ranch, is far from being 

 a delectable drink, though time and custom 

 reconcile the system to its use. In summer 

 many of the white inhabitants of the valley 

 spend Sundays, or even a week or more, at 

 a mountain camp part way up the Organs, 

 where pure water, magnificent views, and 

 cool air are provided. For my part, the air 

 of the valley is invigorating enough too 

 invigorating, indeed, sometimes. 



As for the Mexican hat, as we stood on 

 one of those first days upon the mesa, we 

 could see it bobbing at intervals between the 

 rows of trees along the level valley ; for it 

 must be remembered that in Old and New 



