The Philharmonic Societies of Lima and Arequipa are flourishing organizations, whose purpose is the encouragement of musical art. The Arequipa society is older and of larger membership than the Philharmonic of the capital, which was inaugurated less than a year ago. The Lima society is composed of patrons and active members, the former contributing funds for the maintenance of the society, while the latter assist in classes and take part in the musical concerts that are given under its direction. [Illustration: DOLCE FAR NIENTE. BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ.] [Illustration: UNIVERSITY OF SAN MARCOS, LIMA.] CHAPTER XV THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN AMERICA—MODERN SCHOOLS OF PERU [Illustration: DR. LUIS F. VILLARÁN, RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN MARCOS.] Founded in 1551, nearly a hundred years before Harvard received its charter, the University of San Marcos is the oldest educational institution of America. Under the royal seal of the Emperor Charles V. and Queen Joana, his mother, it was established in the City of the Kings soon after the inauguration of the viceroyalty, and was conceded all the honors and privileges enjoyed by the University of Salamanca, at that time the most celebrated seat of learning in Europe. The royal grant was issued to the priors of the Dominican order, and the original lecture halls were installed in the chief monastery of “Santo Domingo,” in Lima. Twenty years later, King Philip II. ordered the secularization of the university and its separation from the Dominican convent. The cathedral was then chosen as the hall for literary functions, and in one of its chapels, consecrated to the Virgin known as _La Antigua_, and especially venerated from that time by the university, the degrees of scholarship were conferred. This chapel is of especial interest because of its history, some of the most impressive ceremonies of the viceregal period having taken place here. The conferring of degrees in the early history of the university was attended with elaborate religious formalities, an important feature being the celebration of a mass of the Holy Ghost in preparation for the event. After this solemn sacrament, the candidate passed through two days’ examination, chiefly of a religious character. If successful, he was then led to the chapel of the Virgin, accompanied by his fellow-students and the doctors of the faculties, and was obliged to make the customary profession of faith, the same as that adopted by the University of Paris in the beginning of the sixteenth century, which required the candidate to pledge his loyalty to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception. The degree of doctor was then conferred by the dean, who represented both the royal and the pontifical authority; and as soon as this part of the ceremony was concluded the sponsor decorated the new doctor with the insignia of his class.