The tour finds its western limit at San Antonio, that ancient seat of Spanish Romanism, with its antique mission fortifications yet standing in their frowning strength. That early pre-emption secures two-thirds of the present population, 21,000, to the Romanists, who have three massive stone cathedrals—one for the Spanish, one for the German and one for the English speaking people, and who have their extensive Nunnery and Jesuit College, which are patronized not a little by American families. This city is the metropolis for Southwestern Texas, which is as large as the whole of New England. It has also an immense wholesale trade with cities in Mexico. San Antonio becomes also a strategic point for Protestantism. The M. E. Church North is just now establishing itself here at large expense. The colored people are well supplied with churches and schools. The second best Protestant church edifice is that of the African M. E. Church, just completed, at a cost of $8,000, and nearly all paid for. Superintendent West was there the same Sabbath, reconnoitering. He was urged by the M. E. South people to remain and hold a protracted meeting; but a campaign just at hand in Massachusetts prevented. Western Texas was suffering dreadfully from an eight months’ drought. The plain of San Antonio was an exception, being irrigated by the waters of the mighty springs just above the city, which, forming the San Antonio River, furnish the hydrant supply for that great population, and send babbling streams through all the streets and over all the surrounding gardens and farms. So may that sainted city be a fountain of moral refreshing in all that region! The Tillotson Normal Institute of Texas, under the excellent Mrs. Garland, has already sent out twenty teachers. Its beautiful site, overlooking the city, is this summer to be crowned with its comely edifice, which, beyond the outer shell, is to await the incoming of funds for its completion. This trip has resulted with me in a profound impression as to the need of this institution and as to the grand sweep of its future usefulness. Nothing better can be done for the Freedmen of Texas. This empire, stretching a thousand miles on the Rio Grande and eight hundred miles eastward to the Sabine, calls mightily for such an institute to train those who shall be the teachers of her sable children. These immense areas of cheap, rich, southern lands, that were never cursed by the filth of slavery, are calling in the Freedmen to take to themselves homes and farms and the respectability that comes from ownership of the soil. Such people, most of all, hunger for good schools. Texas is liberal toward her colored school children. To furnish them teachers, skilled in the art and trained so that they shall exert a wholesome social and spiritual influence, is the great desideratum.