The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-27
No. Ii.
CIUDAD REAL, FEB.

CIUDAD REAL, FEB. 5, 1916.
The Population of Chiapas-Languages-7h L.
candoaes-Their Mode Of Life-Backlcard State
of Literature and Arts-Colsgs of Ciudad Real
Church and Convent of San Angmstin-E ra-
minatiom Of Student in Phiosophy Schools
Music Ihsatricas - Dancimg-Bua Fights
Fiestor de Rsfugio, &C., &c.
Several villages of Chiapas have disappeared
since l6ll, and are known only as haciendas.-
Whether the Indians of the present day are the
descendants of those who once inhabited the now
ruined cities of Palenque and Occciugo, is a
question of fruitful speculation. The number of
the white population in the entire department.
does not exceed 10000. The remaining 1876, 900
are Indians, with very small sprinkling of ne
groes. Among the Indians there are eleven diff
tsrcnt Languages spoken, namely, the Mature, the
Chiche, the Chol, the Mayo, the Zeudal, the Tot
iii, the Chispaneca, the Trokek, the Casdal, the
Zoque, and the Mexicana. The Spanish lam
guage is very little understood among them
This is a great obstacle in the way of civiliza-
ton. There is no tradition to tell us which Of
the above eleven languages was spoken formerly
at Paenque and Ocociugo. Indeed, doubt very
much whether the original language at all exists
at this day.
To the east of Palenque, on the right bank of
the river Usnmacinto, is tribe called Lacando-
mes, who are still uncivilized They speak the
Maya language, and are engaged in the cultivation
OF tobacco, maze, &c. They live in their Milpas
Hunting and fishing are their Iavorite occupations,
and the men are never without their bow and
sheaf Of arrows 1t is said that they eschew all
kinds of ardent spirits, but very fond of tobac-
CO. They are subject to no government, bat pay
obedience to the largest and strongest man of the
tribe. They worship the sun and moon.
Literature and science are In a very backward
state IN Chiapas. There is no newspaper or peri
only college is at Cudad Real. This college be-
longs to the old convent of Jesuits of San Angus
TIN. The house is a large square two story build
ing, with dry ruined fountain in the court
yard), standing TO the north otthe church. /, has
eight Catedratcos or professors, and one hundred
and forty students.
received some time since, an invitation to be
present ut an examination of student in phIloso-
phy, which was TO take place in the church above
named. The affair was to come off at o'clock in
the afternoon. The day was Sunday, but in con-
sequence OF heavy rain which fell during the
day, there were very few persons present II was
the nrst ume mad visited the institution, and as
arrived some time before the hour appointed.
had leisure TO stroll through the convent | found
many Of tho cells in ruins On the first and
second story low corridor runs round the
convent passed to the sacristy of the church.
There was large crucifxon on the left as en-
tered On the right were several locked closets.
beneath one of which was heap OF skulls and
bones Meantime, before / had finished nv ex-
animation of the place, the bell rang to give no.
tice of the commencement OF the ceremony |
came TO witness, and at once proceeded to the
church. This found to be a large building, with
seven noble affairs, bearing unrnisakeable evi-
dences of the impress of The hand OF time. The
building must have been formerly very magni-
tcent one. AT the end stands the hugh altar.
The west end below the choir, was occupied,
when ! entered, 10y the board of examiners. Be.
fore them stood a small table upon, which were
two books and crucifx. The rector Doctor
Zuniga, dominican monk, occupied an arm
char, behind the table. On his lett were three
other priests, and standing about four PAGES from
him on the right, was the candidate for cxamina-
ton. At sign from the rector the student COM
menced speech in a low voice and with good
deal OF embarrassment. THIS over, at another