To the invalid or the tourist, who needs change as a medicine
for mind or body, or both, this resort is now open. I would ad-
vise that the visit be made not earlier than the latter part of
May or early in June. I would advise, also, that the first visit
be made soon, while the great change which this letter has dis-
cussed is going on. The weariness of this world is the uniformity
to which it is being reduced. While there is something left a&
God made it, let us for a time enjoy it. It is here now ; it will
be gone to-morrow.
FROM LAS VEGAS TO SANTA Ffi.
Las Vegas is two towns. The Mexicans, pushing slowly to
the northward, started a town in 1835, and with the railroad
came the Americans and started another, and the two lie in long
lines, parallel with each other, with a row of houses and a street-
car line connecting them like the membrane which harnessed the
Siamese twins. The American town has the railroad buildings
for its nucleus, and is all American. The Mexican town is not
entirely Mexican, and the plaza is a compromise. Iron-front
brick buildings, such as small towns have in Kansas, surround
it; but many of the names on the signs are Mexican. The most
frequent name is Romero. I think Romero must be Mexican for
Smith.
New Las Vegas has its daily newspaper, the OptiCy and the
other Las Vegas the Oazette, but neither is published on what
may be called Mexican territory. Old Las Vegas has the Jesuits'
College and the great Catholic church, and the largest hotel,
'^The Plaza.'' The post o£Bce is as near as possible made conve-
nient to both towns.
