SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES. 303 
charge, and are furnished with the requisite stationery and books. There 
is a Night School for adults, very fully attended by citizens, whose oc- 
cupation prevents them from devoting themselves to study during the day. 
In the women's and men's Prisons, and in the House of Correction for juve- 
nile delinquents, I also learn that schools have been formed ; and it is by 
no means a cheerless feature in this picture of dawning improvement, 
that the ladies of Mexico, most distinguished by talent, wealth, and culti- 
vation, have gladly availed themselves of the opportunity to devote a 
portion of their time for the purpose of instructing their unfortunate sisters 
in the prisons. 
Besides these establishments, (which you will observe, are all of a free 
and public character,) it is difficult to give any idea of the number of pri- 
vate schools for both sexes in the Capital and Departments. Many of them 
are conducted by foreigners as well as Mexicans, and although they gen- 
erally instruct in French, English, grammar, reading, writing, arithmetic, 
geography, the rudiments of history, book-keeping, drawing, and music, I 
have reason to believe that none of them are remarkable for the regu- 
larity or perfection of their system. 
In the city of Mexico, there are the collegiate establishments of El 
Seminario Conciliar, San Ildefonso, San Gregorioy and San Juan Lateran. 
The fu'st of these is under the immediate supervision of the Archbishop, 
and supported by a portion of the ecclesiastical revenues. The other 
three are under the care of the Government. In almost all the Depart- 
ments of the Republic, there are collegiate Institutes, and in some, even 
two or three. 
The course of instruction in these establishments is alleged to be thor- 
ough and modern. The students who live within the walls, are expected 
to contribute for their education, while others, who only attend the lec- 
tures of the Professors, are exempt from all costs and charges, so that 
about two-thirds of the pupils of every College receive their literary edu- 
cation gratuitously. 
If peace be now permitted to reestablish her beneficial sway over the 
country, and men's minds are allowed, in the general calm, to direct 
themselves to their own and their children's culture, these institutions 
cannot fail to afford the most rational hope to the well-wisher of Mex- 
ican prosperity and happiness. The regeneration of Mexico lies in her 
schools. Without their success she must not expect to drive Jiperos 
from the streets, or usurping Dictators from the Palace of her ancient 
Kings. 
As an interesting Table connected with the diffusion of information, I 
insert, in conclusion, the following statement of the number of newspa- 
pars and periodicals published in the Republic : 
