116 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



opinion of my own upon this matter, but I may re- 

 mark that with the people of the country it is no im- 

 peachment of a padre's character, and does not im- 

 pair his usefulness. Some look upon this arrange- 

 ment as a little irregular, but in general it is regard- 

 ed only as an amiable weakness, and I am safe in 

 saying that it is considered a recommendation to 

 a village padre, as it is supposed to give him set- 

 tled habits, as marriage does with laymen, and, to 

 give my own honest opinion, which I did not 

 intend to do, it is less injurious to good morals 

 than the by no means uncommon consequences 

 of celibacy which are found in some other Catho 

 lie countries. The padre in Yucatan stands in the 

 position of a married man, and performs all the du- 

 ties pertaining to the head of a family. Persons of 

 what is considered respectable standing in a village 

 do not shun left-hand marriage with a padre. Still 

 it was to us always a matter of regret to meet with 

 individuals of worth, and whom we could not help 

 esteeming, standing in what could not but be con- 

 sidered a false position. To return to the case with 

 which I set out : the padre in question was univer- 

 sally spoken of as a man of good conduct, a sort of 

 pattern padre for correct, steady habits ; sedate, grave, 

 and middle-aged, and apparently the last man to 

 have had an eye for such a pretty compagnera. 

 The only comment I ever heard made was upon his 

 good fortune, and on that point he knows my opinion. 

 The next day Mr. Catherwood and Doctor Ca- 



