The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-07-17
AN OLD SCHOOL. FOR GIRLS.
In the City Of Mexaco Stands a Beau tiful Bnalding which Was Opened In 1z6y.
(New York snn.l


 One of the oldest educational fnsti- tutions for girls on the continent is in the City of Mexico. It is the Co1egio de Ia Paz. or as it is more commonly called, CsoIIegfo de las vfscalnas
 The Institution was opened in 1767 and has survived many changes of government It was founded by three wealthy Spaniards who saw the need for educating the children of the poor CT classes. They began work upon the building in 32, and through their decision that the college should not be under control fo the church they en- countered great opposition. They re- sisted the church authority for S4 years. and finally decided to burn the building rather than place the imsti- tuition within the power of the church. It had stood idle and empty for 16 years.
 when they were about to carry out their threat in 1766 they were noti- fled by Pope CIemen XIII and Charles III of Spain that charters had been granted by which the Independent Character of the institution was rec ognized. On September g, 1767. the college was opened by the viceroy of Mexico and other men of rank, Not withstan ding their fight for independ- olics. and they named the school the Co1legio de San Ignacio de Loyoia- This name is still to be seen on a plate at the main entrance, but it was changed to Colegfo de Ia, Paz when Comonfort was president of Mexico in honor of his daughter
 Modelled after the royal palace of Madrid. the building occupies almost five acres and cost S1.0O0, 900. All of the outer wall is of the beautiful te- zont1e, a stone dark red in color with brownstone trimmings. Many of the walls are yard or more in thickness and the cement is harder than the rock used.
 There are seven patios, or court yards immense central court being surrounded by so large arches The wide corridor, both upstairs and down. is a pleasant place for study and rec reation Over the stairway rises a Noorish dome, lighted by quaint, oval windows. On the wall above the first landing is painted in scarlet letters this declaration of independence:
 with the object of affirming the perpetual position and ownership of the college, the capital with which it is maintained was collected exclusive Iy among the Spanish Biscayans, with out any offering from their European or American compatrfots; and the op- ening of the college was delayed for 6 years until its total independence from civil and ecclesiastical jurisdic- ton was obtained.
 Above the opposite side of the building rises framework to which are fastened mellow sounding bells. Beyond Is the dome of the chapel A door opens from the corridor of the second story into a gallery. which ex- tends out into the chapel and is en- tirely enclosed by screen of carved wood, no one below being able to see who IS within the gallery. A smaller sim 3s attended every night by all the grown persons of the institution.
 Strangely modern seem the type writers in one of the classroorns. The rl1usic-room is beautifully decorated with fret work of Tyres, mandolins, banjos. vioIins and horns. Its large windows look out upon a garden, where. even in January, callas, pop pies, daisies, geraniums, nasturtfurns and other flowers are blooming.
 Formerly the children were divided into families, a matron having charge of or 10, with a menage of her own, independent of thesrest of the college. She had kitchen, parlor, small office and bed room. and did the marketing herself, receiving the money from the "Fectora" and giving in an exact ac- count at the end of each week She and her children were expected to at tend to all their household duties.
 There were from 40 to 50 such fam flies in the school, each with it's re- sponsiFble mother, usually a Biscayan widow. Tn the old days only reading, writing and arithmetic were taught in the school course. The girls were in structed in needlework, ranging from plain sewing up to the most elaborate enbrpidery.
 All this is now changed The pupils form one large family. They do their