Having failed in my visit to Governor Canton, I took a street-car to Itzimna to see the bishop, to ask him for a letter to his clergy.  The well-known Bishop Ancona had lately died, and the new incumbent was a young man from the interior of Mexico, who had been here but a few months.  He had been ill through the whole period of his residence, and seemed frail and weak.  He received me in the kindest way, and after reading the letters I presented, asked whether I had not been in Puebla at a certain time two years before; on my replying in the affirmative, he remarked that he had met me at the palace of the bishop of Puebla and had then learned of my work and studies.  He gave me an excellent letter to his clergy, and as I left, with much feeling, he urged me to be careful of my health and that of my companions while we were in the country.  When he came from Puebla, only a few months before, he brought three companions with him, all of whom had died of yellow fever.  He told me that, though this was not the season for that dread disease, cases of it had already broken out in the city; at the same time he stated that more than eight hundred cases of small-pox were reported in Merida, and that many of them were of the most virulent.  Sunday we had walked through dust ankle-deep upon the roads; Tuesday and Wednesday it was with difficulty that we could cross the streets, which were filled with mud, and, part of the time, with muddy water a foot and more in depth.  This is a frequent occurrence, and foot-passengers who desire to cross the street are often forced to hire a coach for that purpose.  As one walks the street, he runs constant risk of being splashed with mud and water from passing vehicles and street-cars.  During the four days we spent in Merida we met several persons interested in literary lines, and visited a number of institutions, among which the most interesting was the Museo Yucateco, of which Senor Gamboa Guzman is in charge.  It is by no means what it should be, or what, with but small outlay, it might be.  But it contains interesting things in archaeology, in local history, and in zoology.  It is of special interest to Americans because Le Plongeon was interested in its foundation and early development.

An old gentleman, clerk in the diocesan offices, advised us to visit Tekax and Peto for our study.  The governor had set the hour of two for our reception.  Merely to see when he would come, we seated ourselves in the garden of the plaza, so that we could watch the entrance to the palace.  Two came, but no governor.  At 2:30 several gentlemen were waiting near the office door.  At three no governor had arrived.  At five minutes past three, we noticed that hum of excitement and expectation which usually heralds some great event, and looking down the street, saw the governor pompously approaching.  As he passed, hats were removed and profound salutations given.  Waiting until he had entered the office, we walked up to the reception room, where we found