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