THIS BOOK does not propose to be a history of Mexico or a
sociological or economic study of that country. There is a con-
siderable library of scholarly books in English. But in a coun-
try as vigorous and lively as Mexico statistics go out of date
faster than books can be published. In these rapid changes,
filled with ferment, confusion, and hope, lies Mexico's present
fascination. The country has lost none of its former beauties.
Its mountains and coasts are as magnificent as ever; its archæ-
ological fields grow in wonder and significance as new finds are
made and as better communications make them more accessi-
ble. Improved communications, tending to destroy the pic-
turesque, are also opening up new areas and hitherto unknown
tribes. Primitive life and quaint customs may still be found on
every hand, but the most interesting Mexicans are those who
are going ahead. Fast as they change, they must inevitably de-
velop along lines laid down by their own character and experi-
ence. They change most rapidly in Mexico City, which in a
way sums up the country, and which I have therefore left
for last in this book.

This book, then, tries to present fairly some actual Mexicans
with enough sidelights and backward glances to explain why
they live and think and act as they do. Two years' travel
among them suggests that their over-all characteristic is a tough
invincibility. People with such a gift for life and laughter, not
to mention intelligence and ambition, will inevitably carry
their country on to a unique and important place in the modern
world.