No. 393.
Mr. Middle to Mr. Fish.
San Salvador, January 8, 1872. (Received February 16.)
Sir: Referring to article 125 of the constitution of Salvador, transmitted in my No. 13, relating to education, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a memorial of the secretary of the university of the state. Doctor Don Carlos Bonilla, read by him at the commencement, on the 12th of December last, and published in the Official Gazette of the 23d of that month. It discloses the efforts made for the diffusion of learning, and their success considering the retrogression resulting from the late revolution.
The trustees and faculty are selected from among the most eminent and learned citizens.
There are four faculties, viz: of letters and sciences) of law; of medicine; and of theology.
The students, at present numbering two hundred and sixty-four, are subjected to rigid examinations. From the 1st of December, 1870, to the 14th of November, 1871, the university has licensed by diploma one doctor of letters and sciences, one of engineering, seven of law, and eight of medicine, in all seventeen licentiates. In the same period it has verified twenty-seven baccalaureates in letters and sciences, six in law, four in medicine, three in pharmacy, and two in theology; in all, forty-two of lower grades.
There are five colleges and lyceums corresponding with the university, viz, the “Collegio Nacional,” the “Tridentino,” and “el Licio” of “San Thomas,” of the capital$ that of “San Luis,” in New San Salvador, and that of “Santo Domingo,” in San Miguel. With the exception of “El Tridentino,” and of “Santo Domingo,” which have special privileges, the alumni of the others are all qualified at the central institution.
Primary instruction is expanding yearly in its numbers and area, yet much in this respect remains to be accomplished, and the surplus public [Page 512] revenues can be best applied to the dissemination of elementary education.
I have, &c.,