NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS. 287 



ed for public examination twelve youths, 

 who acquitted themselves excessively well 

 in replying to questions in the Old and 

 New Testament, the Spanish grammar, and 

 arithmetic. Under the old Spanish Go- 

 vernment all attempts to instruct the rising 

 generation of the lower class, and to diffuse 

 knowledge in general, were checked and 

 crushed ; but the first care of the republic of 

 Colombia has been to form schools, where 

 information and learning may be attained 

 by all, and the humblest individual in the 

 whole community may enjoy the advantages 

 of education. 



In the course of the day several bulls 

 were let loose for the amusement of the po- 

 pulace, who tormented them until evening. 

 The old Spanish custom of bull-fighting has 

 entirely fallen into disuse since the Spa- 

 niards have been expelled from the country ; 

 and even the present sport seems to be dis- 



