lajara has suffered reverses, but it may be said to still live in one of the two seminarios controlled by the clergy of this diocese, and so with that of Chiapas.[1] With the advance of education, however, we may safely predict the speedy reopening of one or more of these institutions, and on a basis, it may be hoped, that will serve to stimulate the growing love for education throughout its branches, and serve to retain at home the many young men who now been it necessary to seek European schools.[2] Mexicans are undoubtedly promising pupils, the mestizo being remarkably quick to apprehend, and the Indian holding out bright promises of adding to the list of men like Juarez and Altamirano, the latter one of the foremost scholars in the country. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that as the youth grow up docility yields to indolence at the time when the reflective powers could be best trained. Hence self-culture is not widely developed, and where it is followed we find the national lack of thoroughness interposes serious obstacles to the regeneration of a loose and shallow mind.[3]
- ↑ The córtes of Spain were in 1820 discussing the expediency of establishing more universities in America, Córtes, Diario, Oct. 20, 1920, ix. 9-10, and the Mexican congress proposed one for Oajaca in 1822. Abispa Chil., 303-8. In 1813 the ministerial report alludes to the university staff of the capital as a mere text-book board, and gives the universities of Chiapas and Guadalajara 114 and 143 students respectively. Mex., Mem. Sec. Just., doc. 720. For decrees of suppression and revival in 1833 and 1834, see Arrillaya, Recop., 1933, 90; Pap. Var., lxxiii. pt 8. Elaborate regulations were issued in 1855 for curriculum degrees. Mex., Col. Ley., 1835, viii. 14-17, 30-3. Then came the law of suppression in September 1857, Dublan y Lozano, Leg. Mex., viii. 625, and the repeals in 1858 and 1861, and the final closing. II., ix. 17-18; Diario Avis., March 12, April 12, 15, 29, 1858; La Cruz, vii. 287, 440-8; Arch. Mex., Col. Ley., v. 120-1; Arrangoiz, Mej., iv. 47-8. In April 1881 a bull was introduced in congress for creating a new national university. Diario Deb., Cong. 10, ii. 289-91.
- ↑ A law of 1850 required various colleges to send to European colleges, and there maintain for three years a certain number of their students. Mex., Col. Ley., 1830, 214–16. The ministerial report of 1835 points out lack of Higher education, and explains the reasons for such a decree. In pursuance of this the educational law of 1943 extended the range of studies for law, particularly in the humanities. Richthofen observes that this was needless, since the new studies were utterly superficial and fragmentary. Rep. Mex., 225. It was also very easy to shorten both studies and term. The above writer gives an interesting account of the cost and ceremonies attending matriculation, to which Wappäu, Geog., 119, adds several points.
- ↑ For a special account of education in the different states, I refer to José Diaz Covarrubias, Instruccion Pública en México, Mex., 1875, sm. 4to, ccli. and 218 pp., with chart, the most complete of the subject so far published. He
