The Republican journal., 1892-03-17
The railways are comprehended

EUROPE 1ue railways dIe cOmpfenenueO
in three main systems, central. eastern
and western. There are few public high
ways. but one can drive almost anywhere
over the level, grassy plains.
OF late years the Uruguayan govern
ment has paid unusual attention to the
education of the masses. 1t required a
hard struggle to separate the schools from
denominational control but the late Presi-
dent Santos accomplished it, by measures
that at the time seemed brutal, but are
now generally acknowledged to have been
for the public good. Rudimental educa-
ton is gratuitous and compulsory upon
children between the ages of six and
fourteen. Though the total population of
the Republic is barely 700, 900, there are
no less than $50 public schools, with an
average daily attendance of $500 and a
staff of go teachers two thirds of whom
are women. Sixty-two of these schools
supported by the State are in the Depart
ment of Montevideo. Besides these the
little republic has about five hundred pri-
vate schools, with $50 teachers and pll-
pills officially estimated at 22 412 In
Montevideo there is a military college.
supported by the government. with about
one hundred cadets who are graduated
with the grade of lieutenant The Uni
versity OF Uruguay averages 800 students
and has a distinguished corps of profess
Sors, There are also two English acade-
mics in Montevideo. But the special
pride OF the country and hobby of the
los Us the new school of arts and trades
is called in local parlance. 1t occupies a
fine new building near the Plaza Ramirez.
is supported by the State, and has about
300 pupils, forty professors and score of
experts.
Its aim is to afford poor boys an oppor-
tunity to learn good trades OF professions
and thus become useful citizens, and it
has some noteworthy features which |
have not observed in any similar institu-
ton. For example: an applicant for adj
AiiA'''NAA
an birth and an orphan, OF with one SUI
viving parent in INDECENT circumstances
He must be not more than fourteen years
old at the time of entering; have been
previously vaccinated; his guardian OF
sponsor must contract for him in writing
that he shall remain six years, under the
absolute control of the principal of the
school, with no interference from home
or elsewhere. If taken sick he must be
cared for at the Charity Hospital, and re-
turn to the school as soon as he is able.
plan, and discipline of the strictest sort
is observed. Its expenses are borne bv
the department. Of War and Marine eked
out by the products Of student labor.
Sales OF the work accomplished take
place at regular intervals in a room de
voted to the purpose, where articles are
placed on exhibition for a certain number
of days. each marked in plain figures with
"A fixed price from which no abatement is
permitted. The most powerful gun boat
i'll | ruguaN navy was entirely construct
ed by these young workmen. and launch
ed by them on the bay. To the great de
light of the institution and it's promoters
lv called up"n for war, and did excellent
service in putting down the last revoh1-
ton. Speaking of the navy, ii consists of
only three gun-hoats and seven small
steamers. manned by about two hundred
mariners. 80 engineers and a dozen otfic-
el'> with ten .iefes OF chiefs. The stand
ing army is composed Of four baftalions
of infantry, four regiments of cavalry
and one of artillery. and has an astonish-
ing number of superior officers. 1t is the
fashion for aristocratic young gentlemen
to go into the army but by no means
to carry a musket. The rank and file are
a wild, brutal looking lot, largely negroes
and Indians. They are not formidable in
appearance. but ought to fight well if
there is anything in heredity having de
scended from fighting fathers and grand
fathers, away back one hundred and fifty
years. Their uniform consists of white
canvas trousers of immense proportions
fastened around the ankle. more a la
feminine ''Bloomer'' than French zouave:
white canvas CATERS, red forage cap and
blue flannel ulster reaching nearly to the
ground, ornamented with innunerable
brass buttons. They carry rifles with
sword bayonets, knapsacks, blankets and
tin plates. The officers are very hand
somely costumed in dark broadcloth. the
mounted officers having beautiful horses,
gorgeous saddles and silver-plated spurs
and stirrups.
One reason why the common soldiers
are such ill-looking fellows, is because
they really are the otf-scourings of the
country, being mainly recruited from the
penitentiary. The law provides that after
criminal has passed a specified time in
Jail, under certain conditions, he may
serve the remainder of his term in the
army. 1t is said that the discipline of the
army is even more severe than that of the