[65] "The general revenue destined for the maintenance of the clergy and of religious services in the republic may be divided into four classes: first, that which appertains to the bishops and to the canons, who form the chapter of the Cathedral; second, those revenues which appertain to particular ecclesiastics and chaplaincies; third, those of curates and vicars; fourth, those of divers communities of _religios_, of both sexes. "The first class is principally of tithes and first-fruits, the product of which was very considerable in times past, when they included a tenth part of all the first fruits which grew upon the soil of the republic, and the firstlings of the cattle. But lately this revenue has much fallen off, since by the law of the 17th of October, 1833, it is no longer obligatory upon the cultivators to pay this contribution. Nevertheless, there still are many persons who, for conscientious reasons, or for other cause, continue to pay this tax, so that it produces a very considerable sum. This part of the clergy also receive considerable sums which have been left by devout persons for the performance of certain annual ceremonies called _anniversaries_. "The collegiate church of our Lady of Guadalupe has, in addition to a monthly lottery, which operates upon a capital of $13,000, certain properties and other capitals of which the government takes no account. "Particular ecclesiastics and chaplains are supported on a capital generally of $3000, established by certain pious persons for that object, besides the alms of the faithful, which are given for a certain number of masses to be applied to objects of their devotion. "The support of curates consists of parochial rights, viz., fees for baptisms, marriages, funerals, responses, and religious celebrations (_funcions_) which, in their respective churches, they command the faithful to make; and, finally, by the profits which they derive from the sale of _novenas_, medals, scapularies, ribbons (_madedas_), wax, and other objects which the parishioners employ. "The income of convents of monks, besides the alms which they receive for masses, _funcions_, and funerals, which they celebrate in the convent churches, consists of the rents of great properties which they have accumulated in the course of ages. "The convents of nuns are in like manner supported by the income of great estates, with the exception of two or three convents which possess no property, and whose inmates live on charity.