in demand wherever patriotic and intelligent work is required.
Since the downfall and dismemberment of the State of Central America in 1841, Yucatan has been incorporated with the Mexican Republic, but the comparatively The
Yucatecs. enlightened administration enjoyed by the Mexican people has by no means passed to the wholly alien races which have come under their rule. This was due not so much to the maladministration of the Central Government as to the absolutely feudal nature of the local régime of Yucatan, a policy which has arisen out of the physical peculiarities of the country and climate.
The general conditions of life in Yucatan are extremely healthy, although the atmosphere is somewhat humid in consequence of the rains which are prevalent nearly nine months in the year, but neither heat nor rain renders the climate at all sickly. The peninsula of Yucatan—which juts out in much the same manner as the “heel” of Italy runs out from the mainland—is a vast plain, the soil of which is extremely dry owing to the absence of rivers. From Cape Catoche to Campeachy there is not a single stream of fresh water, and the interior is equally destitute of rivers, all of which lie far to the South. To ensure a sufficient supply of water, artificial means have to be resorted to, and vast irrigation works are a conspicuous feature of every hacienda and plantation. To store as much water as possible during the rainy season is one of the great problems of life to the owners of haciendas in Yucatan; and for this purpose each of these establishments possesses enormous tanks and reservoirs constructed and maintained at great expense, to supply water for six months to all who are engaged in labour on the estate. As may well be imagined, such a condition of affairs gives the owners of these haciendas a substantial hold upon the services of the Indians. A native of Yucatan is usually of a thriftless and improvident disposition, and were it not for the foresight of his employer would assuredly perish for
