education and the arts
any one who is acquainted with the conditions existing in spain or any part of spanish america would naturally surmise that education in new spain is at a low ebb. what education does exist is confined to a few. when you know that districts can be found in spain to-day where scarcely ten per cent. of the inhabitants have mastered the art of reading or writing, it is not surprising to learn that after three centuries of the rule of spanish governors and viceroys, ninety-five per cent. of the population of mexico still remained in profound ignorance. learning for the masses was regarded as prejudicial by those representatives and misrepresentatives of the home government. one viceroy voiced this sentiment by saying that only the catechism should be taught in america. students are not likely to go beyond the learning of their teachers, and these were obliged to pass examination in only the most elementary[258] branches. as a natural result, instruction soon fell into the hands of the incompetent. teaching did not attract the bright minds. those who cared for scholastic attainments prepared for the church or law. others became soldiers or adventurers.
the first viceroy, mendoza, was a broad-minded man and interested in his new empire. at his death he left a sum of money with which to establish a university to be open to all classes. this institution was actually established as early as 1551.
very few of the aborigines attained much culture, although a few of the aztec nobles were notable exceptions. education was in general left to the church but was neglected by that institution. the jesuits, whatever their faults may have been, were interested in education, and at the time of their expulsion in 1767 conducted a large number of colleges and seminaries.
in the seventeenth century the city of mexico was looked upon as a great seat of learning and a literary centre. even before the shakesperian era of english writers, literature had its beginnings in that city. bishop zumarraga, the first “bishop of the great city of tenuchtitlan,” encouraged writers as well as miraculous visitations such as the virgin of guadalupe.[259] through his efforts, the first printing press of the new world had been set up in this seat of ancient aztec civilization, in 1535, about a hundred years before one was in use in the british colonies. a dozen books had been printed in the city of mexico before 1550, and almost a hundred before the close of the sixteenth century. some of these were printed in the indian languages including the mixtec, zapotec, nahuatl, huaxtec, tarascan and others.
the very first book printed on this first press bore the following impressive and “elevating” title: escala espiritual para llegar al cielo, traducido del latin en castellano por el venerable padre fr ivan de la madalena, religioso dominico, 1536. translated into english it means the spiritual ladder for reaching heaven, translated from latin into spanish by father ivan, dominican. this book was written especially for students preparing for the priesthood, and no copies of it are in existence so far as is known. the second book was a christian doctrine, printed in 1539 “to the honour and glory of our lord jesus christ and of the most sacred virgin, his mother.” it was published in the native language also “for the benefit of the native indians and the salvation of their souls.” a few of the books departed[260] from a strictly religious character, but all of them drew deep religious truths from every event. one of the early books was an account of a great earthquake in the city of guatemala which, as the title page suggests, should be an example that “we amend our sins and be prepared whenever god shall be pleased to call us.” nearly all of these early books were written by spanish priests and members of the religious orders. the first music of the new world was printed here also in the old illuminated style, as well as the first wood-engraving.
the first newspaper in mexico was the mercurio volante, or the flying mercury, established in 1693. from that time until the present day, newspapers have existed, but they were so hampered and restricted in their utterances that their influence and circulation was small until long after independence had been proclaimed. now there are a great many newspapers and periodicals of all kinds and descriptions published in the capital. however, no american would class them with our own newspapers, for the reason that they do not seem to have the “nose for news” of the american journalist. a mexican reporter would not think of invading the sanctity of the home even for a “scoop” over his competitors. likewise the family[261] skeleton is generally safe, which is certainly a commendable feature. not one of the many newspapers published could be classed as sensational or of the “yellow” stripe. mexico’s reading public is comparatively small even to this day because of the still large illiterate class. el imparcial, the leading daily and official organ of the government, does not have a circulation exceeding seventy-five thousand, scattered all over the republic. its editor is an influential member of congress. it publishes an afternoon edition called el mundo (the world). the popular is second in circulation. tiempo (times) is the leading catholic daily. other papers are pais (country), patria and sucesos (events). there are two english newspapers published in the capital of which the mexican herald is the leading one and is the best newspaper in the country. it is widely read by both foreigners and official and influential mexicans. there is an illustrated weekly, el mundo illustrado, an agricultural paper, the heraldo agricola and many other periodicals of various kinds. modern mexico is an excellent illustrated monthly magazine edited in the city of mexico and published in new york. it is printed in both spanish and english and is devoted to mexican interests in general. many[262] of the cities have daily newspapers, but they are generally inferior and uninfluential publications. the best paper published in vera cruz could not compare with an american newspaper published in a little hamlet.
mexico has produced many writers and some of them have been very prolific in their productions. it can not be said that there was much originality to the early writers when they departed from historical lines, but there is a sprightliness and rhythm in their epics that holds the attention of the reader. the bright spots in the history of literature for the first generation after the conquest are made by a group of indian writers, bearing the unpronounceable names of ixtlilxochitli, tezozomoc and nitzahualcoyotl. these men recorded the glory of their ancestors in prose and poetry. although their spanish is faulty, their genius is clear. bernal diaz, the early companion of cortez and afterwards governor of guatemala, wrote from the latter place his “true history of the events of the conquest of new spain.” it is a very readable work and a fascinating account of an interesting country and a primitive race. the writings of las casas have been much criticised but they deserve mention. other[263] chroniclers are bustamente, alvarez and iglesias.
poetry has always had a leading place in the literature of mexico for the spanish language is well suited to verse and their love poems have the highest rank. some of the modern writers are better known in europe than on this continent. the two leading poets are juan de dios pesa, called the mexican longfellow, and josé peon y contreras. the latter is foremost in the ranks of living poets.
literary talent is much encouraged by the government and any one showing marked literary ability is almost sure to be offered some government position. an instance of this is seen in the career of vicente riva palacio, a well known novelist and dramatist who has been governor, cabinet member and justice of the supreme court. another example was the poet prieto who served in the cabinet of several presidents and died a few years ago. the minister of fomento (encouragement) can issue deserving books from the government press, if he so desires, and a number of works, especially historical treatises, have been issued in this way. the reason is, i suppose, because the reading public is not yet very large and a meritorious book would possibly have only a limited sale.[264] these conditions are fast passing away. the drama and the tragic have ever filled a large place in the life of the mexican people. a number of their dramatic books have become well known in spanish-speaking countries but have not been translated into english.
after the struggle for independence, nothing was done in the way of education until almost the middle of the last century. the colleges and schools already established had begun to languish. even after that date little was done, because the church was so occupied in retaining its own foothold, and each successive government inherited only a burden of debt from its predecessors. juarez had the desire to establish schools but not the means. maximilian would no doubt have promoted education but his throne was never secure.
the development of the school system is so recent that it may safely be said to date from the first inauguration of president diaz in 1876. listen to what this so-called republican despot says upon this subject, which expresses the attitude of the present government: “education is our foremost interest. we regard it as the foundation of our prosperity and the basis of our very existence. for this reason we are doing all that we can do to strengthen its activity[265] and increase its power. i have created a public school for boys and another for girls in every community in the republic. education is such a national interest that we have established a ministry of public instruction to watch over it. we have learned from japan, what we indeed knew before, but did not realize quite clearly, that education is the one thing needful to a people; if they but possess it, all other distinctions are added unto them.”
the educational system has been revolutionized, it might be said created, within a little more than a quarter of a century under the guidance of one man except for a period of four years. the schools are non-sectarian and the teaching of religion is absolutely prohibited. “that” says diaz, “is for the family to do, for the state should teach only scholarship, industry and patriotism.” the schools in the federal district, which includes the city of mexico and suburbs, and the territories of tepic and lower california, are under the direct control of the executive. the federal district alone has nearly four hundred schools, and a number of fine new school buildings have been erected in the past four years after american models. the idea of a school building without a play ground is strange to an american, yet in mexico none,[266] except the new ones, have any recreation ground whatever, and they are housed mostly in the old church properties that reverted to the government after the disestablishment. another strange idea to the american mind is the separation of the sexes which is almost universal. the girls’ schools contain fewer pupils, for the parents, if possible, send them to private institutions or employ private teachers. within the past year several million dollars was appropriated by congress for the erection and equipment of new buildings in the federal district. commissioners have been sent to the united states to study school systems, and we find their schools divided very much as our own.
an aztec schoolgirl
the schools in the various states are under their own control, and the number and condition varies accordingly.[3] in most of them primary[267] instruction is compulsory. there are not many hamlets except in remote mountain regions where primary schools have not been established, although in many places greatly inadequate, if all those of school age should attend. in the cities, schools for the higher education corresponding to our own high schools are maintained at public expense. the english language is a compulsory study in certain grades, and one can almost see the time in the future when there will be two idioms in mexico. free night schools are maintained in some places for the benefit of those who can not attend during the day. the duties of citizenship are particularly impressed upon boys, and some feminine work is taught to the girls even in the primary schools. in addition to the government schools, the churches and private associations support many schools for pupils of all ages.
perhaps nowhere are the results of the campaign for education seen to better advantage than in the soldiers’ barracks and penal institutions. the soldiers are mostly recruited from the indians and are without education. the same is true of those who fill up the jails and penitentiaries. however much they may deserve their punishment, humane methods prevail. attendance upon classes is compulsory[268] upon both soldiers and convicts, and instruction is given in practical morals, civil government, arithmetic, natural science, history of mexico, geometry, drawing and singing. if the prisoner is studious and obeys the rules of the institution, he is graduated and given his freedom. this little insight into a better life has made a good citizen out of many a former convict, and a better one out of a soldier who has completed the term of his enlistment. the native mexicans are bright and intelligent, but self-culture is not common because of natural indolence. the indians, and especially the mestizos, are promising and quick to learn. although there are no accurate statistics, it is estimated that nearly one-half of the adult population can at least read and most of that number can also write.
the first college established in north america was founded in mexico in 1540 and is now located at morelia. the federal government supports normal schools for the preparation of teachers, and schools of music, agriculture, dentistry, medicine, law, mining, fine arts and trades for both sexes. there are also schools for the blind and mutes, and reform schools for incorrigibles. the medical college has had a greater reputation than any of the other institutions of higher learning. this college now[269] occupies the old home of the inquisition. the staffs of these schools are generally finely educated men, and will compare favourably with the staffs of similar institutions in other countries.
the biblioteca nacional, or national library, occupies a magnificent building that was formerly a noted monastery. it contains several hundred thousand volumes, and is a storehouse of ancient documents and volumes of the colonial periods. when the monastic orders were suppressed, more than one hundred thousand volumes were added to the national library from these institutions. although most of their books and pamphlets were religious works, yet many of them are extremely valuable and almost priceless. there are a few books here that date back before the discovery of america by columbus, and many rare old documents on vellum and parchment. a few of the picture writings of the aztecs are also preserved in this interesting library. the national museum is a vast storehouse of the antiquities of the country. one can wander around through the rooms and corridors for hours and days and continually find some new object of interest in the vast collection of relics of the prehistorical races.
like all catholic countries mexico has the[270] traditional reverence for religious art. this love has caused a careful preservation of all the paintings that have been brought to the country, and the names of the donors as well. nearly every church is adorned with some cherished painting, most of which are copies of works by the noted masters held in the great collections of europe. however, here and there will be found a michael angelo, a velasquez, a guido, a murillo or a rubens. perhaps the most cherished canvas in the entire country is a titian at the village of tzintzuntzan on the shores of lake patzcuaro. it is a large canvas on the walls of a little dilapidated church and represents the entombing of christ. the room that contains it has but one outside opening and that an unglazed window.
mexico herself has developed some expert copyists but few talented artists. one of the most noted was cabrera, a zapotec indian, who has been called the rafael of mexico. he was architect, sculptor and painter, and has done some fine work in each line. politics has in times past absorbed too much of the time of the young men of mexico so that the arts have been neglected.
the escuela national de bellas artes, or national school of fine arts, in the city of[271] mexico is an excellent institution and is liberally supported by the government.
charles dudley warner says: “it was a marvellous time of original and beautiful work that covered mexico with churches, and set up in all the remote and almost inaccessible villages towers and domes that match the best work of italy and recall the triumphs of moorish art.”
no one with even the slightest love of architecture can help but be impressed with the great variety of design and grandeur of construction of the churches of mexico. though designed by spanish architects and retaining the moorish characteristics of that period, they are the work of native workmen and have received some aztec touches. on the fa?ades, towers and portals are designs and figures made by these workmen which are doubtless indian legends or traditions of a prehistoric age. they resemble strongly those strange symbols of the ancient egyptians and persians. some of the churches which the traveller encounters in villages consisting of low adobe huts fairly overwhelm one with their splendour. in places a great church will loom up in the horizon with scarcely a sign of human habitation near it. only in the tropics are these great houses of worship wanting. the danger[272] of earthquakes precluded the building of lofty structures there, and the priests of the conquering age, which was the great era of construction, rather avoided the hot lands for the cooler plateaus.
the beauty and originality in the churches is principally in the exterior. this is the reverse of the architecture in the homes, for there the outside walls are plain, and skill and ornamentation are devoted to the decoration of the patio. the interior is generally quite commonplace, and a church in one city is very much like a church in another. the ornamentation of the exterior is very elaborate and of the rococo or, as some would call it, the over-done style. however when looking upon the extreme richness of detail, one can see and appreciate the beauty and merits of the style, even if there is a certain floridness and flamboyancy present. the towers resemble the towers which are a part of the mosques in moslem countries from which the call to prayers is made by the priests. as mr. warner says: “there is a touch of decay nearly everywhere, a crumbling and defacement of colours, which add somewhat of pathos to the old structures; but in nearly every one there is some unexpected fancy—a belfry oddly placed, a figure that surprises with its quaintness[273] of its position, or a rich bit of deep stone carving; and in the humblest and plainest fa?ade, there is a note of individual yielding to a whim of expression that is very fascinating. the architects escaped from the commonplace and the conventional; they understood proportion without regularity, and the result is not, perhaps, explainable to those who are only accustomed to our church architecture.”
