one for men, the other for women[1]. That of Santa Maria De La Caridad, for Spanish women, and those who approach the nearest to that class. El Espiritu Santo, for seafaring persons of every description. San Bartholeme, with two distinct buildings, for men and women of the negro cast, and their immediate races. San Juan De Dios, for Spaniards. The Bethlemites, for Indian men within the cloisters of the convent, and, in front of the church, for women of that nation. The Refuge, for incurables, within the convent for men, and, in its vicinity, for women. St. Lazarus, for lepers of both sexes, in separate infirmaries. And, lastly, las Camilas, for women labouring under any infirmity, and of every condition.
To these great establishments may be added four colleges for public instruction, three of them for the higher faculties of the arts, civil and canonical laws, and theology; and the other for Latinity and polite literature. And, finally, many public schools for reading and writing, the masters belonging to which are, as well as the pens, ink, and paper, at the charge of the community. An incredible number of large funds have been collected, to portion off, annually, young girls of virtuous and sober manners, either for the cloisters, or for a wedded state. The benefices and anniversaries, or yearly obits, are as numerous as the endowments designed to celebrate, with the utmost pomp and magnificence, the sacred festivals of Jesus Christ and the Saints. With the exception of the cathedral church; of the chapel of the palace; and of the
- ↑ Wherever there is an establishment for each of the sexes, two distinct hospitals are reckoned.
