which proved how fully its importance was felt. The works of Luther were not more rigorously proscribed, than modern histories, or political writings; and, even as late as 1811, by a strange anomaly, the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people was denounced as a damnable heresy in Mexico, at the very time that, it was solemnly sanctioned by the Cortes in Spain. Some particular studies, however, were encouraged amidst this general tendency to stifle inquiry; especially scholastic divinity, which was considered a very harmless amusement, and the mathematics. Some attention too was paid to the arts of drawing and sculpture, and, in the mining districts to mineralogy, which, in Mexico particularly, was patronised with kingly munificence: but there can be no doubt that this was done, principally with a view to divert the attention of the Creoles from more dangerous pursuits: the spirit of the system was to exclude information, and to check the progress of the human mind.
Nothing can illustrate this more strongly, than a Royal decree, of 1785, addressed to the Viceroy of Peru, by the enlightened Galvez, (as Humboldt deservedly calls him, on account of the many practical reforms which he introduced into the administration of the Colonies,) who was, at that time. President of the Council of the Indies. This decree states, that in consequence of the many representations made to the King, respecting the bad effects produced by the college for the education of noble
