296 



MEXICO. 



ous effect on the saturated soil, and raises an at- 

 mosphere of malaria, such as the most seasoned 

 native cannot breathe with impunity. 



This being invariably the state of the climate, 

 nearly all the inhabitants abandon the town as 

 soon as the rainy season approaches. As we had 

 often heard this migration described, we waited, 

 with some curiosity, for the arrival of the ap- 

 pointed time : and, accordingly, towards the end 

 of May, had the satisfaction of seeing the great 

 flight commence. I shall never forget the singu- 

 lar nature of the scene which was presented to us. 

 All the world began to move nearly at the same 

 time ; the rich and the poor streamed off indis- 

 criminately together. The high road to Tepic 

 was covered with horses, loaded mules, and foot 

 passengers, winding along the plain on their way 

 to the interior. On passing through the streets, 

 we saw people everywhere fastening up their win- 

 dows, locking their doors, and marching off with 

 the keys ; leaving the greater part of their pro- 

 perty behind them, unguarded by anything but 

 the pestilence of the climate. The better classes 

 rode away on horseback, leaving their baggage to 

 follow on mules : but the finances of the greater 



