2l8 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 102 



genial character have endeared him to the city, so that his convent 

 has prospered and is prospering. 



614. The Mercedarian convent is the oldest in this city and one 

 of the most distinguished. It has an excellent church and sacristy 

 with rich and expensive ornaments and good dormitories and cloisters, 

 and they were building others when I was in the city in 1620 and 

 1 62 1. They celebrate divine service with great particularity and 

 simplicity, and for that reason it has a large attendance from all 

 over the city. They have very learned and brilliant ecclesiastics, both 

 as preachers and teachers ; they give courses in Arts, Theology, and 

 Holy Scripture. It is mother convent for a province reaching into 

 the Dioceses of Nicaragua and Comayagua in Honduras, where they 

 have convents, and the Dioceses of Mexico City and of Puebla and 

 others in New Spain were subject to it, until, in the year 1621 they 

 separated the Province of Mexico from this one, on account of the 

 distance involved. 



615. The Company of Jesus is a modern foundation in this city. 

 They have chosen a fine large site near the plaza, and with their usual 

 foresighted procedure are building a splendid church and dormitories 

 there. They maintain courses in Latin and Arts, like the others, and 

 for their support have excellent revenues, indigo laboratories, and 

 sugar mills, like the rest of the convents except the Franciscans, 

 who live a more abundant life than any of the others without owning 

 any property. 



616. The nunnery of La Concepcion in this city is very fine, 

 extensive, and well appointed ; it occupies a large site and has an 

 excellent church and home with over 100 nuns, not counting the 

 servants. It is highly religious and is much attended by the residents 

 of the city, who entrust to it their daughters and female relatives 

 who are consecrated to God. The nunnery of Santa Catalina Martir 

 is a more modern foundation ; it occupies a wonderful site on one 

 of the busiest and most important streets, between the main square 

 and the Mercedarian convent. It counts over 50 nuns, who, like the 

 others, are under the rule. 



617. The chief hospital of this city, where they care for the indigent 

 sick, has His Majesty as its patron. It is on the main street, which 

 runs from the Plaza Mayor to the nunnery of La Concepcion, and 

 possesses revenues sufficient for the generous care of the poor invalids. 

 Nearby in the direction of the Cathedral is a college or seminary of 

 resident students with purple sashes and dark gray gowns ; here 

 they are taught Latin, Arts, Theology, and singing, and take part 

 in the Cathedral services and choir. 



