CHAPTER IX

.—The City of Leon—Originally built on the Shores of the

Lake Managua—Cause of its Removal—Its present Site—Dwellings of its Inhabitants—Style of Building—Devastation of the Civil Wars—Public Buildings—The Great Cathedral—Its Style of Architecture; Interior; Magnificent View from the Roof—The “Cuarto de los Obispos,” or Gallery of the Bishops—The University—The Bishop’s Palace—“Casa del Gobierno”—“Cuartel General”—The Churches of La Merced; Calvario; Recoleccion—Hospital of San Juan de Dios—Stone Bridge—Indian Municipality of Subtiaba—Population of Leon—Predominance of Indian Population—Destruction of Stocks—Mixed Races—Society of Leon—The Females; their Dress—Social Gatherings: the “Tertulia”—How to “break the Ice” and open a Ball—Native Dances—Personal cleanliness of the People—General Temperance—“Aguardiente” and “Italia”—Food—The Tortilla—Frijoles—Plantains—The Markets—Primitive Currency—Meals—Coffee, Chocolate, and “Tiste”—Dulces—Trade of Leon, 237

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