I 



246 THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



of natural history aided by an artist or painter, and a professor 

 of mathematics and chemistry. 



The students generally reside within the walls of the insti- 

 tution. To become a student, the candidate must have attained 

 fourteen years of age, and pass an examination in Spanish and 

 Latin grammar, reading, writing, and the elements of mathe- 

 matics. Out-students pay a fee of five dollars monthly, or sixty 

 dollars a year. The whole course occupies four years. In 

 1833, it contained thirty-four students. 



The house of representatives occupies an apartment in the 

 university. It is oblong, and lighted from a dome above. 

 Commodious galleries surround three sides of the hall, for the 

 accommodation of spectators ; but no one is permitted to enter 

 armed with a sword, or even a cane. A sentinel at the door 

 prevents any one from entering who refuses to deposite his 

 weapons with him. The speaker's chair is at one end, beneath 

 a dosel or canopy, and in the centre stands a table with a cru- 

 cifix upon it. The members occupy fixed chairs, arranged in 

 two rows along each wall, and are not afforded the means of 

 writing at their seats. They sometimes rise and speak from 

 their places, but when about arguing a question at length, as- 

 cend one of the tribunes, premising, ^* Senores, pido la pala- 

 bra" — <^ Gentlemen, I ask leave of speech." The best orators 

 are amongst the clergy — one named Vigil, whom I heard speak 

 against Gamarra the president, was eloquent and bold. It is 

 said, that he has drawn tears from the whole house. 



Around an inner patio, which is surrounded by a corridor, 

 and into which several committee rooms open, are painted on 

 the wall, symbolic representations of the several arts and sci- 

 ences, each with an appropriate motto from the Latin poets. 



