of Aguilar and Stephens, the heroism of Aguas, the vigor of the present workers, shall not be in vain. To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Another topic, touched upon in the beginning, deserves notice at the end. I had the privilege of going out in the same steamer with railroad managers, abode in the same hotel with them, and rode with them over the same paths. Success has attended efforts in that direction. Mr. Plumb, former secretary of legation, and a son, I believe, of a missionary, has succeeded in getting an agreement signed by the Government which insures a railroad to Leon and to Texas. He was not the representative of the party I was most conversant with; but it is with railroads as with Christian churches: it is not of so much importance who build them as that they be established. His bland manners, admirable tact, elegant bijou of a house, fine command of the language, and knowledge of men, with a constant perseverance that was not to be put by, secured him the precedence. Undoubtedly, the parties behind both leaders will be united in the prosecution of the gigantic enterprise. Railroads and religion have an affinity. They come from the same land, and for the elevation of the people. Together they will develop and regenerate the nation.
A correction may find place here. Reading, since these pages were written, the interesting work of Judge Wilson, I find a suggestion there, which I am inclined to adopt. It is that the Pyramid of Cholula is natural, and not artificial. He explains the adobe stratifications that were noted, as buttresses to preserve the road. There is some plausibility in this; but only a thorough research can verify it. Nor does this prove the other pyramids near the city to be natural. His views as to Cortez and his conquest I do not support. It is, therefore, with pleasure that I admit this suggestion.
I have carefully abstained from giving any information that I had to learn from books. All such information is better found in its own place. I have not told you the number of the states, their names, their boundaries, their populations, their trade, or any thing belonging to that valuable department of Mexican knowledge. I
