It has not been easy to devise a definite plan of arrangement for my selections, but the matter is roughly grouped in the following order--Geography, History, Biography, Public Questions, Literature, Drama, Narrative, Fiction. One demand, made of all the material, is that it shall show Mexico, Mexican life, Mexican thought. Every selection is Mexican in topic and in color; together the selections form a series of Mexican pictures painted by Mexican hands. I hesitate at my final remark, because it will sound like a lame excuse for failure. It is not such. In these translations I have not aimed at a finished English form. I have, intentionally, made them extremely literal; I have sometimes selected an uncouth English word if it exactly translates the author, have frequently followed the Mexican form and order of words, and have even allowed my punctuation to be affected by the original. To the English critic the result will be unpleasing, but to those who wish to know Mexico and Mexican thought, it will be a gain. And it is for these that my little book is written. * * * * * The sections dealing with Icazbalceta, López-Portillo, Altamirano, Agüeros, Roa Bárcena, Obregón and Chavero, were originally published in _Unity_. Part of the matter relative to Guerrero, has been printed in the _American Journal of Sociology_. READINGS FROM MODERN MEXICAN AUTHORS. EDUARDO NORIEGA. [Illustration] Eduardo Noriega was born in the city of Mexico on October 4, 1853. He came of a notable family of Liberals, his father being General Domingo Noriega, and his brother Carlos, being, at the time of his death, adjutant-colonel to President Juarez. Eduardo was educated in the _Escuela Nacional Preparatoria_ (National Preparatory School), where he spent five years and received his bachelor’s degree. Since that time he has dedicated himself to literary work and to teaching. He has written both prose and poetry. Besides two volumes of verse, he has printed a number of monologues--among them _Primeros nubes_ (First clouds), _El mejor Diamante_ (The better diamond) and _La hija de la caridad_ (The daughter of charity). He has translated dramatic writings and has himself written two plays. From the age of forty years he has confined his teaching and writing to scientific subjects. He holds the chair of History and Geography in the _Escuela de Comercio y Administracion_ (School of Commerce and Administration). He is author of a _Geografía general_ (General geography), which has gone through two editions, of a capital _Geografía de Mexico_, and of a handy _Atlas de Mexico miniatura_ (Miniature atlas of Mexico) which is in its third edition. Eduardo Noriega is a directing member of the _Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadistica_ (Mexican Society of Geography and Statistics) and many valuable papers read by him before that body are printed in its Bulletin.