[85] Zuniga says (_Estadismo_, Retana's ed., i, p. 230): "The noted beaterio [_i.e._, a house in which reside devout women] of Santa Catalina ... founded by Dona Antonia Ezguerra in the year 1695; and General Escano increased its revenues so that fifteen beatas and some servants could be maintained in it. The beatas must be Spanish women, assist in the choir, and take a vow of chastity." Evidently these beatas were much like the Beguines (founded in Belgium in 1184, and still in existence). [86] Regarding the Franciscan order and its branches, see VOL. XX, p. 91. The Capuchins were originally Observantine Franciscans, and date from 1526, when their founder, Matteo di Bassi, of Urbino, Italy, obtained papal consent to live, with his companions, a hermit life, wear a habit with long pointed cowl (_capuche_, whence their name), and preach the gospel in all lands. At first they were subject to the general of the conventual Franciscans, not obtaining exemption from this obedience until 1617. Early in the eighteenth century the Capuchins numbered 25,000 friars, with 1,600 convents, besides their missions in Brazil and Africa; but the French Revolution and other political disturbances caused the suppression of many of their houses. At present, they are most numerous in Austria and Switzerland. [87] _i.e._, "the disease of Lazarus," referring to the beggar at the rich man's gate, in the parable (Luke xvi, v. 20), evidently a leper. This disease was regarded, in the absence of scientific knowledge of its nature, as a direct visitation or punishment from the deity. It will be remembered that many lepers who were Christians had been sent from Japan to Manila. [88] The following law is taken from _Recopilacion leyes de Indias_ (lib. 1, tit. vii, ley vii): "We charge the archbishops and bishops of our Indias that they ordain mestizos as priests in their districts, if in such persons are united the competency and necessary qualifications for the priestly order; but such ordination must be preceded by careful investigation, and information from the prelates as to the candidate's life and habits, and after finding that he is well instructed, intelligent, capable, and born from a lawful marriage. And if any mestizo women choose to become religious, and take the habit and veil in the monasteries of nuns, they [_i.e._, the archbishops and bishops] shall ordain that such women be admitted to the monasteries and to religious profession, after obtaining the same information [as above] regarding their lives and habits." [Felipe II--San Lorenzo, August 31 and September 28, 1588.] [89] Referring to the noted prelate Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa y Rufina. He died in December 1787. [90] This was Jose Raon (see VOL. XVII, p. 298). [91] "Pasquin (at Rome) is a statue at the foot of which are fastened placards--sometimes defamatory, sometimes ironical, relative to affairs of the time."--Le Gentil.