CHAPTER XIV

.—The Priesthood in Nicaragua—Decline in the Influence of

the Church—-Banishment of the Archbishop—Suppression of the Convents—Prohibition of Papal Bulls—Legitimization of the Children of Priests—The Three Abandoned Convents of Leon—Padre Cartine, the last of the Franciscans—Reception, or Clock-room—The Padre’s Pets; His Oratory; Private Apartments; Workshop—A Skull and its History—The Eglesia del Recoleccion—The Padre as a Landlord; As a Painter; As an Uncle; And as Negociator in Marriage—An Auspicious Omen—Death of the Vicar of the Diocess of Nicaragua—His Obsequies—A Funeral Oration—Priestly Eloquence—An Epitaph—General Funeral Ceremonies—Death as an Angel of Mercy—Burial Practices—Capellanias; Their Effects, and the Policy of the Government in Respect to them—Popular Bigotry and Superstition—An Ancient Indulgence—The Potency of an Ejaculation—Remission of Sins—Penetencias—Rationale of the Practice—Novel Penances—Turning Sins to Good Account—Good from Evil—System of the Padre Cartine—The Diocess of Nicaragua, and its Bishop—General Education—Public Schools—The Universities of Leon and Granada—A Sad Picture, 355

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