Moreover, the Dominicans inhabit two brave Cloysters; the chiefest Dedicated to St. Dominic, is eight square; to which is adjoyning a pretty large Church, with a Steeple: The second, which stands on one side of St. Jago, and consists of three several Structures, is call’d Collegio de Porta Cœli. Opposite to St. Jago, near the great Market the Jesuits have a stately Colledge, or High-School, where many are brought up in the Latin and Greek Tongues, whence it is call’d, Casa Professa Les Estudios.
There is also another Habitation of Religious Men, call’d Illefonse Sanna Noviciad, which for State, may vie with any Royal Palace.
Cloysters belonging to the Monks of La Merced.
The Monks of La Merced dwell in two Cloysters, both Consecrated to the Virgin Mary, yet Sirnam’d Montseratte, and Carmel: The first lying not far from the River, is a mean Structure, in comparison to the last; the uppermost Tower of whose Temple appears above all other Buildings, in the upper part of Mexico near the Cloyster of St. Francis.
Womens Cloysters.
The Women have also fourteen Cloysters here, the chiefest whereof is Dedicated to Catharine of Siena; but much more splendid is that of Santa Teresa, built like an Imperial Palace; famous for its stately Gardens, and round Fountain, which continually spouts Water. The rest, which we shall onely name, are La Encarnacio, Santa Ines, Jesus-Maria, Laurenso, Las Des-calcas, Santa Clara, Juan de la Penitentia, Regina Cœli, Santa Monica, las Rocogidas, Jeronymo, and Conceptione; besides the Almshouses, Real de los Indios, and Nostra Senora del Amor: There are likewise eight Hospitals, viz. de Dios, del Spiritu Santo, Juan de Doys, de la Misericordia, de san Hippolito, and de san Lazaro. The three chief Churches bear the Name of Catharine, Martin, and Vera Cruz; and the Clergy-men thereto belonging, enjoy many stately Palaces, amongst which are Juan de Lateran, de Christo, and las Nivas.
The Vice-Roy’s Palace and Arch-bishop’s Seat.
The Residence of the Vice-Roy which lies near the Dominican Cloyster, Porto Cœli, is so sumptuous a Structure, that it may stand in competition with any of those Edifices which were so much cry’d up by the Ancients; nevertheless, it is not to be compar’d to the Arch-bishop’s Seat, built round like a Theatre, whose Luster expresses the Quality of him that inhabits the same, he being Governor of the Bishopricks of Fascala, Guaxaca, Mechaocan, New Galicia, Chiapa, Yucatan, Guatimala, Verapaz, and the Philippinas. This marvellous Structure was begun by Ferdinand Cortesius, but was finish’d by Sebastian Ramires de Fuenleal; and not much inferior thereunto is the Casa de Cabildo Alameda.
The gallantry of Mexico at this day.
At present, Mexico is thought to be one of the richest Cities of the World, abounding (if reports be true) in all kind of voluptuous gallantry and bravery, even to excess: It is suppos’d to contain about six or seven Miles in compass, and to consist of above an hundred thousand Houses or Families, whereof not the tenth part Spaniards, but those that are, all Gentlemen, at least as to their garb and manner of living; for they live most splendidly in all respects, both for Diet and Apparel.