A Banchwoman in New Mexico. By Edith M. Nicholl. (Mac-
millnu and Co. 6s.)—This is a very vigorously drawn picture of life in New Mexico. The conditions of climate, &c., are of a mixed kind. There is abundance of sunshine, and a very small rainfall, the amount for the years 1892-96 averaging about eight inches. Of course, this does not interfere with comfort or suc- cessful ranching as long as the means of irrigation are abundant. The heat is considerable, but it is not oppressive, sunstroke and heat- apoplexy being unknown. So much for Nature ; man is scarcely "vile," but not satisfactory. The Mexican does not excel either in industry or in honesty, and the American population is not exactly the pick of the continent. The two chapters which deal with what may be called public life in the South-West are not pleasant reading, and the story with which the volume concludes gives as dark a picture of lawlessness as could be wet with in modern times.
Previous page
