264 SOUTH AMERICA— THE ANDES EEGIONS. 



nearly monopolise public instruction. Thus the Christian Brothers have charge 

 of the primary schools, and all the " young ladies' academies " are directed by 

 nuns, while the Jesuits administer the four high schools of Quito, Guayaquil, 

 Riobamba and Cuenca. 



The Indians of the eastern province have been placed under the care of the 

 Jesuits, Franciscans and Friars of the Good Shepherd, each order having its own 

 district, within which its jurisdiction remains undisputed. Nearly all the traders 

 have been expelled from this territory, the missionaries undertaking all the 

 barter traffic with the natives. Even many travellers are politely *' boycotted," 

 the Indians in obedience to orders declining to have any dealings with them. 

 When strangers are admitted, the priest or magistrate appoints a certain number 

 of Indians to carry their baggage, the stages being always arranged beforehand. 

 Relays or porters are arranged for this service between the cold and hot zones. 



About three-fourths of the revenue is raised from customs, the rest beinff 

 derived from a tax of a thousandth on the sale of real estate and the transfer of 

 capital, from the po^t office, sale of stamps, the brandy and salt monopolies, and 

 the income of the national domain. A special tax has now replaced the tithes, 

 which were formerly paid directly to the clergy. 



The Government mints no money, silver specie and bullion being all imported 

 from abroad. The municipal rates, averaging about £40,000, constitute a special 

 budget in the several towns, and the chief expenditure, as in most other countries, 

 is applied to the maintenance of the land and sea forces. The former comprise an 

 effective of 3,000 infantry, cavalry and artillery ; the latter includes five steam- 

 ships of various sizes, a transport, a gunboat and a cruiser. 



The administrative divisions, with their approximate areas and populations, 

 are tabulated in the Appendix. 



