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

CHAPTER X.—The Vicinity of Leon—The Bishop’s Baths—Fuenta de
Axusco—“Cerro de Los Americanos”—A Military Ball and Civic
Dinner—General Guerrero—Official Visit from the Indian
Municipality of Subtiaba—Simon Roque—A Secret—Address and
Reply—Visit Returned—The Cabildo—An Empty Treasury—“Subtiaba, Leal
y Fiel”—Royal Cedulas—Forming a Vocabulary—“Una Decima”—The
Indians of Nicaragua; Stature; Complexion; Disposition; Bravery;
Industry; Skill in the Arts—Manufacture of Cotton—Primitive Mode
of Spinning—Tyrian Purple—Petates and
Hammocks—Pottery—“Aguacales,” and
“Jicoras”—Costume—Ornaments—Aboriginal Institutions—The Conquest
of Nicaragua—Enormities practised toward the Indians—Present
Condition of the Indians—The Sequel of Somoza’s
Insurrection—Battles of the Obraje and San Jorge—Capture and
Execution of Somoza—Moderate Policy of the Government—Return of
General Muñoz—Medals—Festival of Peace—Novel Procession—A Black
Saint, 261