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Excerpt from Mexico: Landscapes and Popular Sketches
In the following pages, the indulgent reader must expect neither a book of travels, conscientiously detailing every event from day to day, with the customary adjunct of the bill of fare, nor geographical-ethnological-statistical treatises, nor even a systematical enumeration of the natural history of Mexico: but views of the country, sometimes a mere outline taken at a distance, sometimes a more complete picture, drawn in the immediate vicinity, adorned with foliage and creeping lianas sketches taken from the life, in the palace or in the cottage on the far-extending savannah, or in the mine. During a long series of years I resided in a magnificent country, amidst the people and with them. As a member of the family, I beheld their do mestic life, and may, without appearing indiscreet, call attention to many features, which necessarily must escape the scientific traveller, and the professional tourist.
Whoever is desirous of becoming thoroughly acquainted with Mexico, should study Humboldt's classical work: A political Essay on New Spain. Despite the changes which fifty years have called forth, both in a political and social view, the basis of Humboldt's work is essentially the same, and Germany may be proud of possessing so scientific an architect. His work must always serve as a point d'appm.' for all that future travellers may indite respecting Mexico, whilst their productions can merely complete and extend what he has already done. These pages, therefore, may perhaps be regarded as the ornamental carving and uting of the great master's strictly correct edifice.
My descriptions of the country and the social condition of the inhabitants are not carefully circled off, but are merely placed in groups or families. I am not skilled in systematising, and have therefore noted down only whatever struck me, and have given this or that in detail, leaving it to the intelligent reader to mark its connection with the whole. My object is to offer a succession of sketches; and there is no dearth of material.
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