_C_ like _k_ (but, before _e_ and _i_, like [A]_th_ in "thin"); _ch_ as in "child"; _g_ as in "go" (but, before _e_ and _i_, like a harsh _h_); _h_ silent; _j_ like a harsh _h_; _ll_ like [B]_lli_ in "million"; _ñ_ like _ni_ in "onion"; _qu_ like _k_; _r_ is sounded with a vibration (trill) of the tip of the tongue (_rr_ a longer and more forcible sound of the same kind); _s_ as in "sun"; _x_ like _x_ in "box" (but, in "México" and a few other names, like Spanish _j_); _z_ like [A]_th_ in "thin." Words bearing no mark of accentuation are stressed on the last syllable if they end in any consonant except _n_ or _s_, but on the syllable next to the last if they end in _n_, _s_ or a vowel. [A] In Mexico, however, usually like _s_ in "sun." [B] In Mexico usually like _y_. [Illustration: MEXICO IN 1919] THE WAR WITH MEXICO XXI BEHIND THE SCENES AT MEXICO September, 1846-March, 1847 The revolution of August 4, as already has been suggested, was a complex and inconsistent affair, combining most heterogeneous elements: the popular institutions of 1824 and the autocratic power of the soldier upheld with bayonets; the army and the people, whose relations had always been, and in Mexico always had to be, those of wolf and lamb; the regular troops and the National Guards, who loved each other as fire loves water; General Salas reluctantly taking orders from Citizen Farías, and both of them doing obeisance to Liberator Santa Anna, whom both distrusted; and all coöperating to revive a federal constitution, which had been found in practice unworkable, and needed, in the opinion of everybody, to be redrawn.[21.3] Such a state of things argued insincerity; and in fact many had taken up the cry of Federalism at this time simply because the failure of reactionary designs had made the word a popular appeal, and because--nearly all the former leaders of that school having been crushed by the Centralists--there seemed to be room for new aspirants; while the state of things indicated also that more troubles were soon to arrive, since evidently no final solution of the political problem had been achieved, and such a welter of principles, traditions and methods was a loud invitation to the demagogue and the schemer. _Don Simplicio_ predicted that new stars were to flash out soon in the political heavens, and then disappear before the astronomers would have time to name them; and it added significantly, "The comets will be found to be all tails."[21.3]