320 DOTTING,S ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. XIX.-B. P. 
In no part of the world, however, are more earnest 
men or more sincere patriots to he found than in some 
of these Spanish American Kepublics; hut it seems 
impossible for them to save their country from the 
slough of despond into which it is fast sinking. 
As an instance of what a steady government will 
do for those countries, it is only necessary to point to 
the Brazils, the population and wealth of which has 
steadily increased, as will he seen by reference to the 
preceding table. 
But to return to Mosquito, it also has had troubles 
like its neighbours, and for that matter a great deal 
more than its fair share, owing to the transit facilities 
afforded by its geographical position; indeed, the su¬ 
perexcellence of Mosquito for such a purpose early 
attracted attention, and brought a host of politicians 
and speculators into the field, who have made it their 
battle-ground, but only succeeded in trampling under 
their feet every sentiment of truth and justice without 
mercy, as I shall endeavour to show in a subsequent 
chapter. 
