heir
arrival they are usually sent to a priest in the province, so that
they may study the native language. Then they first receive a small
and later a profitable curacy, in which they generally remain for the
rest of their life. Most of these men spring from the lowest rank
of the people. Numerous existing pious foundations in Spain make
it possible for the poor man, who cannot pay for schooling for his
son, to send him to the seminary, where he learns nothing outside
of the special service for which he is trained. Were the friars of a
finer culture, as are a part of the English missionaries, they would,
for that reason, have but little inclination to mix with the people,
and consequently would not obtain over them the influence that they
generally have. The early habits of life of the Spanish friars, and
their narrow horizon, quite peculiarly fit them to live among the
natives. It is exactly for the above reason that they have so well
established their power over those people.

When the above-mentioned young men come quite fresh from their
seminaries, they are incredibly narrow, ignorant, and at times
ill-mannered, full of conceit, hatred for heretics, and desire
to proselyte. Gradually this rough exterior wears away; and their
estimable position, and the abundant emoluments which they enjoy,
make them kindly disposed. The sound insight into human nature and
the self-reliance which are peculiar to the lower classes of the
Spanish people, and which are so amusingly revealed by Sancho Panza as
governor, have full opportunity to assert themselves in the influential
and responsible post which the cura occupies. Very frequently the
cura is the only white man in the place, and no other European lives
for miles around. Therefore, not only is he the curator of souls,
but also the representative of the government. He is the oracle of the
Indians, and his special decision in anything that concerns Europe and
civilization is without appeal. His advice is asked in all important
affairs, and he has no one from whom he himself can seek advice. Under
such circumstances all their intellectual abilities come into full
play. The same man, who would have followed the plow in Spain, here
[_i.e._, in the Philippines] carries out great undertakings. Without
technical instruction and without scientific help, he constructs
churches, roads, and bridges. However, although these circumstances
are so favorable for the development of the ability