ciencias y artes, founded by a state law of 1826. From that time it may be said that he began to pave the way to eminence as a jurist and statesman of the most advanced ideas.[1] Before his admission to the bar, he took an active part in the warm political campaign of 1828, affiliated, as a matter of course, with the yorkinos. Juarez never profited pecuniarily by the legal profession, his mind being too much engrossed with politics.[2] In 1846 he began to figure in the national councils, as a deputy in the federal
- ↑ The creation of the instituto was looked upon by the clergy as a threat against their order from the liberal party; and though the college was in charge of an enlightened, liberal-minded Dominican priest, war was declared against it. Hence a deadly hatred ensued between the seminario, which represented the old system and continued giving the education of the colonial period, and the instituto, which sympathized with progress and was to impart modern scientific instruction. Juarez experienced the moral pressure of his protector and of the ideas he had been thus far educated in, both requiring that he should stay in the seminario, while his instincts, deep thought, as well as his intimate friends, called him away to the instituto. Miguel Mendez, a pure Indian of bright intellect, who died young, was one of the friends who prompted him to resist his protector's influence. Zerecero, Mem., 536. In 1829 he was appointed to the chair of experimental physics. In 1832 he was made a bachelor of laws, and on the 13th of Jan., 1834, admitted to the bar with the privilege of practice in all the courts of the republic. Baz, Vida de Juarez, 30-1; Juarez, Vida del Ciud., 12.
Juarez' personal appearance was as follows: of less than medium height; dark copper color; his features were those of a pure Indian, with black piercing eyes and a frank countenance. He had a large scar across his face, which, however, did not disfigure it; hands and feet quite small. Open and communicative in matters not demanding reserve, he was extremely reticent in state affairs; a man who reflected and deliberated long before acting. It was his wont to deeply study the letter and spirit of the law, and after forming his opinion on the right interpretation, nothing could swerve him. His temperament was lymphatic bilious, with all the energy and force of the bilious, and all the calm and coolness of his race, even amid the greatest danger. His health was usually good; indeed, only once in his long political career was he confined to his bed till his last illness. He slept but little, and was an early riser. On the 1st of August, 1843, he married Margarita Maza, by whom he had twelve children, most of them girls. His home was remarkable for domestic peace, his wife being a model woman. His private like his public life was pure; never was he accused of corrupt practices. His leisure moments were devoted to study, specially of history; and though well informed on general subjects, his natural modesty precluded all display of his attainments. Juarez, Biog. del Ciud., 40; Salm-Salm's Diary, ii. 30-1. Portraits of Juarez may be seen in Zerecero, Mem., 529; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, v. 398; Id., Gob. de Méx., ii. 344; Payno, Cuentas, Gastos, etc., 601. See also my Life of Porfirio Diaz, chap. vi.
- ↑ His first public office was that of alderman of Oajaca in 1831; next he was elected to the state legislature, and held the deputyship two years, when, being accused of complicity in an attempted revolution in 1836, he was confined in prison several months. In 1842-5 he was juez civil y de hacienda; and then made secretary of the state government; a few months later, attorney-general.
