GEOGRAPHIC LITERATURE 



Geographical and Statistical Notes on Mexico. By Matias Romero. Pp. 

 xiv 4- 286. New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons. 



The modest title conveys an inadequate idea of the scope of this hook, 

 which is a compendium of useful and interesting data as to the resources 

 and commercial progress of our sister Republic. The high official position 

 of Senor Romero has procured for him data inaccessible to most writers, 

 while his long diplomatic service in the United States has enabled him 

 to select wisely the statistical matter herein presented. He treats clearly, 

 from original sources, mining, railways, revenues and expenditures, for- 

 eign trade in general, and especially the commercial relations between 

 Mexico and the United States, the data in many cases extending to 1897. 

 The volume closes with an interesting article on "The Drainage of the 

 Valley of Mexico," a problem that for 500 years baffled the local engi- 

 neers, but which, now finally resolved, will be practically completed in 

 June, 1898. 



The subject of railways occupies the most space, as is proper, they con- 

 stituting the most potent factor in the late astonishing development of 

 Mexico. Senor Romero's account of the mining industries will command 

 attention, not only from the interesting manner in which it is presented, 

 but also from the pr dominating part played by silver in late years. Mex- 

 ico has coined silver to the value of $3,530,000,000, and has used one-fourth 

 as much more in the arts, etc. 



The coinage during the colonial period (1537-1821) averaged annually 

 $7,500,000, during the independence (1822-'73) $15,600,000, and under 

 the republic $24,700,000. It is estimated that the annual output of silver 

 in Mexico will ultimately reach $100,000,000. 



The commercial relations between Mexico and the United States are 

 treated fully, and the statistical tables illustrate forcibly the steadily in- 

 creasing trend of Mexican trade toward this country. In 1872-73, the 

 first regular report of the Mexican statistical bureau, the imports from the 

 United States were valued at $6,430,000, in 1896-'97 they amounted to 

 $23,535,000, consisting principally of manufactures of metal, wood, and 

 cotton, and raw cotton, although corn figured largely, owing to the failure 

 of the crop in Mexico. In the same years Mexico exported to the United 

 States $1(5,430,000 (1872-73), and $30,714,000 (1 896-' 97). The increase in 

 exports is almost entirely in merchandise, the principal articles being 

 copper, coffee, and fibers. 



The excellencies of Mexican climates scarcely appear in the meager 

 meteorological data presented, and the value of the table on page 89 is 

 impaired by the misprint of 1869 for the correct year, 1896. It is much 

 to be regretted that "so valuable a publication has no general map. 



A. W. G. 



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