HISTORY AM) ADMINISTRATION L51 



The bishopric of Porto Rico was founded in 1504 under 

 Pope Julian II, and was the first to be established in the 

 New World. The diocese of the island is divided into 

 many vicarages, with a multitude of curates. There is 

 one bishop, attached to the archbishopric of Cuba; the 

 patronage of the diocese is conferred by the governor- 

 general. 



According to the Spanish standard, the condition of 

 public instruction in the island is flourishing. From an 

 American standpoint, judging from the illiteracy of the 

 inhabitants, it is poor. The instruction is divided into 

 primary, secondary, and superior. There are eight of the 

 superior schools for boys, four for girls, and many of the 

 elementary classes throughout the cities and rural districts ; 

 there are also many private schools and seminaries, while 

 in San Juan there is a college where courses are given in 

 medicine and law, and a normal school for both sexes. Of 

 the people, three hundred thousand can neither read nor 

 write ; illiteracy is greatest among the women. A native 

 writer says that "Porto Rico has literarians, but no lit- 

 erature." 



In 1894 there were thirty-five newspapers and periodicals 

 on the island, seventeen of which were in San Juan, seven 

 in Ponce, and eight in Mayaguez. 



