436 NEIGHBOURHOOD OF SAN ANTONIO. Book III. 
threatening, beating, very rarely occur in the United 
States, and in the few cases I have noticed the row in- 
variably proceeded from Irish, French, or Germans. 
The next day I spoke with the Mexican/ who, although 
one of our most useful and trusty servants, was in con- 
sequence of this conduct dismissed. He dissected the 
whole affair very quietly to me, and I perceived that 
his three months' residence in Texas had given the 
fellow notions of equal rights and dignity, although the 
native element of Mexican submission still remained in 
his character. " I had a knife in my belt," said he, 
"and could have killed the waggon-master, but I would 
not do so, as he was my superior." Such an idea never 
enters the head of a North- American, excepting, of course, 
in the army and navy. 
The country around San Antonio is not remarkable 
for any beautiful or grand scenery, but it is of an agree- 
able character, and has many charms which contribute 
greatly to the pleasantness of a residence here. Where 
it is not cultivated there is a variety of prairie, trees, 
and bushes, boasting a peculiar and gorgeous flora. The 
Sophora speciosa and Unguadia speciosa are here among 
the commonest shrubs. You are continually reminded 
of the scenery on the higher terrace, at whose southern 
foot this town lies, by the numerous mezquite bushes, 
single barren strips of prairie, and other characteristic 
marks of the vegetation of the more elevated regions. 
The climate of this spot is celebrated for its beauty 
and healthiness, the epidemics of the coast not extending 
so far. Travellers, it is true, have often brought the fever 
with them, but it has never been known to spread. This 
healthy character of the interior of Western Texas begins 
much further down the country : in fact, in a climatical 
