198 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



the taste of mankind, by diffusing a know- 

 ledge of the arts. But Mexico, owing to 

 Spanish policy, is three hundred years behind 

 Europe in every species of refinement; yet, in 

 spite of her disadvantages, she must infallibly 

 shortly break her chains, and assume her 

 proper station among the nations of Europe 

 and America. As soon as it is known that 

 the traveller may feel himself in security in 

 New Spain, many intelligent and respectable 

 men will be induced to visit it for scientific 

 purposes, and will diffuse that spirit of know- 

 ledge and inquiry which is hitherto unknown, 

 but which will convince the Mexicans of 

 their inferiority to us, as well in intellectual 

 acquirements as in a knowledge of the arts. 



