the wants of the government during the present year, notwithstanding the reductions in the army, will amount to not less than $20,000,000. The following table exhibits the average expenses of the several States, according to their own estimates:

The statement of the Minister of "Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs," presented in 1852, gives the following figures relative to the clergy of the Republic:

3,232 secular ecclesiastics.

83 secular ecclesiastics distributed in eight oratories of San Felipe de Neri, the convent of San Camilo, and the House of the "Company of Jesus."

1,043 regular ecclesiastics, distributed in 144 convents, 32 curacies, and 40 missions.

252 regular ecclesiastics, distributed in 6 colleges "propagating the faith."

4,610 individuals.

The number of nunneries is 58, of which 48 are subject to the ordinary ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and 10 to the "regulares," containing a total of 1,484 nuns, 533 girls, and 1,266 maid-servants, besides which, there are five establishments belonging to the Sisters of Charity, with 37 matrons and 41 novices. The government of the clergy is divided into one archbishopric, that of Mexico, and thirteen bishoprics, which are those of Puebla, Michoacan, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, Oajaca, Durango, Yucatan, Chiapas, Sonora, Lower California, and “Our Lady of Guadalupe," which last bears the title of "Abad." In nine of the cathedrals belonging to the above mitres, there are 183 prebendaries, and these dioceses are divided into 1,222 parishes.

Revenue of the Clergy.

The general revenue destined for the support of the clergy in the Republic, may be divided into four great classes, viz.: Ist. Those corresponding to bishops and canons, who form the bodies belonging to their respective cathedrals. 2d. Those belonging to private ecclesiastics and chaplains, 3d. Those belonging to curates and vicars; and, 4th, those appertaining to various religious communities of both sexes. The first are principally composed of taxes known as tithes, or diezmos y prinicias, the product of which was formerly very great, consisting of one-tenth of all produce gathered in the Republic, and on the first breedings of cattle. Latterly, however, this revenue has much decreased; as, by a law passed on the 27th October, 1833, all farmers and labor

ors were released from obligation to pay it. Notwithstanding the law, there are many persons who, from conscientious motives, still continue to pay tithes. So many, indeed, are there who do so, that the income to the clergy from it is very considerable. This body also receives the interest of large bequests left by devoted persons for annual performances, called "anniversaries," out of which the expenses are defrayed. The bishoprics of Sonora, Lower California, New Leon, Chiapas and Yucatan, enjoy government pensions, amounting together to the sum of $32,200. The College of Our Lady of Guadalupe," has besides twenty-five lotteries, which are drawn annually, with a fund of $13,000 each, some estates, and a capital of $621,000 recognized by the Government.

The private ecclesiastics support themselves by revenues derived from chaplaincies, which are sums subscribed by religious persons for that purpose, amounting generally to about $3,000, lent out at interest. This, with the various sums received in charity and for saying masses, forms their means of subsistence.

The revenue of curates is derived from parochial dues for births, marriages, deaths, etc.; from masses performed in the churches by the desire of devout persons, and lastly from the profits arising out of the sale of rosarios, medals, wax, etc., to the same class.

The revenue of convents is obtained by charity, masses, and burials in their own churches, besides the income from their valuable estates. The nunnerics are also supported by the produce of their extensive estates, with the exception of one or two, which do not possess

any property, and are entirely supported by charity. Besides these revenucs spoken of, there are several cathedrals and parishes deriving revenue from estates and investments, which is appropriated to the wants and service of the clergy in general.

Owing to the want of publicity in the management of the affairs of the clergy, it is difficult to arrive at the exact value and revenue of their property; still, an ap proximate estimate may be made, by taking as a basis the data within reach-such as the annual value of agricultural produce, the number of births, marriages and deaths, and the number of devout rites and fêtes which are still habitual and common with most of the inhabitants. According to these tables, it can be safely computed that the total amount collected at this date by the clergy of Mexico, under the head of tithes, parochial dues, charities, ecclesiastical fêtes, and sale of devotional articles, is not less than from six to eight million dollars annually. So far as regards the property of the clergy, some writers have estimated it as one-half of the whole real estate in the country; others at one-third. Setting these statements aside, the total value of their property-including sums subscribed for chaplaincies and gifts, estates, houses, churches, and other resourcesto-day, may be computed at two hundred and fifty to three hundred million dollars, notwithstanding the great losses which they are said to have suffered for some years past. In the city of Mexico alone, which contains five thousand houses, valued at eighty million dollars, the clergy own at least one half. The income of the above, added to the tithes and parochial dues, etc., etc.,

warrant me in stating that the Mexican clergy collect throughout the Republic annually, a sum of twenty millions of dollars."

GENERAL REMARKS RELATIVE TO THE RESPECTIVE STATES.

AGUASCALIENTES.

This State, situated in the centre of the Republic, is bounded north by Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi, east by San Luis Potosi, south by San Luis Potosi and Jalisco, and west by Zacatecas. The climate is temperate and healthy; the eastern section of the State is for the most part level, and contains beautiful plains, while the western division is mountainous. Corn, wheat, fruit and vegetables are produced in great abundance. The State contains mines of silver and other metals, but they are neither rich or abundant.

There are numbered in this State, one city, ono villa, three pueblas, three minerales or mining districts, 37 haciendas and 288 ranches. The capital of the State is Aguascalientes, a city of 39,699 inhabitants.

CHIHUAHUA.

Chihuahua is bounded north by United States, east by United States and Coahuila, south by Durango, west by Sinaloa and Sonora. The State is 430 miles long from north to south, and 337 miles wide. The configuration of the State is very unequal, the greater portion being more or less cut up by mountains. The great Sierra Madre runs entirely through the western section, and is known by the name of Tarahumava. In