merely in reading, writing, and religious exercises; and a little later it was taken possession of wholly by the white race, with a higher grade of study. This course was adopted throughout the country. The Indian nobles were allowed to acquire a smattering of Spanish, which sufficed to raise them to the rank of ladinos. The mass of their race stood deprived of all instruction; consequently the term gente de razon, or rational people, applied to whites and mestizos. Very few of the aborigines attained to a high level of culture. At a later period, however, a concession was made, in yielding such a college as San Gregorio at Mexico to them exclusively. Finally came a feeble effort to erect primary schools in some of the larger Indian villages.[1] For mestizos, the facilities were not much greater. The government, indeed, showed a lamentable neglect in promoting elementary education among the whites and mixed classes, and left the people to provide for themselves. Some free schools were opened by philanthropists, and private academies by secular teachers, wherever encouragement was given. Many of the latter added Latin, algebra, and geography. At one time quite a large number of these establishments were in operation. Many of the wealthy and intelligent preferred, however, to send their children to Spain to be educated, so as to bind them to the mother country.
Later, a general revival induced the crown to recommend the establishment of primary schools.[2] The results, however, were as unsatisfactory as the efforts were spasmodic. No mingling of the sexes was allowed in the public schools, and girls received
- ↑ Azanza was still struggling in 1800 with projects for schools. Spanish writers try to make us believe that their govt always endeavored to elucate the Indians; according to official statistics, the one Indian college at Mexico had in 1790 only 38 students and one solitary teacher, while seven colleges for other castes had two to four times the number of masters. Gaceta, Mex., v. 8.
- ↑ Parents were urged the need of sending their children to them, but no energetic impulse followed the decree. Zamora, Bil. Legis. Ult., iii. 174-5, wherein are given laws for 1782 and subsequent dates.
