436 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. I02 



architecture and combinations, wood carving and sculpture at all the 

 altars and in all the chapels, 17 in number, with the most sacred chapel 

 of the image of the Holy Crucifix of Burgos. They are finishing 

 the construction of their establishment ; it has remarkable cloisters, 

 of rich architecture. There are more than 150 resident friars here, 

 distinguished professors and preachers among them ; they seem in 

 these later times to embody the tradition of that famous preacher 

 Fray Pedro Ramirez Andaluz, who lived here ; he seems to have 

 inspired his brethren with the spirit and remarkable manner of his 

 preaching and his literary talent, and it is no wonder, since they 

 have such a training school in the college of San Ildefonso, in which, 

 besides the regular courses, they have unique practice in literary 

 composition, being relieved of their choir duties, which in the large 

 convent are very exacting. They have another and recent establish- 

 ment, of Recollects, out in the farthest wards of Triana, quite neces- 

 sary at that point for the good of the poor and the slaves belonging 

 to the neighboring farms and estates, and for the workers who go 

 out into the country in that direction on the Malambo road. 



1251. The Royal Mercedarian Order is finishing its sumptuous 

 church ; its main chapel is the best of all the convents, and its first 

 cloister is excellent. They devote great care to education and have 

 distinguished teachers and preachers, and their popularity is such 

 that they carry the city along with them ; in fact, the sacristy receipts 

 are over 20,000 pesos annually. This convent and all the others in 

 the city have large incomes, to which the religious instruction dis- 

 tricts (dotrinas) contribute a great deal; the church authorities 

 assign many friars to them. They celebrate their festivals with great 

 devotion, particularly that of the Nativity of Our Lady. This, be 

 it said without giving offense, may vie with any religious celebration 

 anywhere ; after seeing it, one has no desire to witness the greatest 

 festivals in Rome or Toledo or Seville, for the magnificence of its 

 display is such that no exaggeration can do it justice. 



This sainted Order has another convent, of Recollect Friars of 

 Our Lady of Bethlehem, who enjoy a high reputation in the city for 

 their virtue, good example, and deep piety. 



1252. The Order of the Company of Jesus maintains the college 

 of San Pablo, the house for novitiates and approbation candidates, 

 the residence in the Indian village of Santiago del Cercado, and the 

 college of San Martin. In all they have more than 200 brethren, and 

 although the good example set by this sainted Order is resplendent 

 in all the provinces of Christendom, it shines with special brilliance 

 in this city, preserving the original illumination of its first founders, 



