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84 How the lower orders of the Mexican people, other than the distinctive Indian population, regarded the proceedings of the Government against the Church is thus described by M. Désiré Charney, in the account of his researches in Central America: "Upon the suppression of the monastic orders in Mexico, the confiscation of the property of the clergy, and the demolition of certain churches and convents, the multitude protested, but without violence. The leperos, all covered as they were with medals, rosaries, and scapulars, pulled down the houses of their fetiches, while the old women, indignant witnesses of the sacrilege, ejaculated their aves without ceasing. The exiles had fulminated the major excommunication against whoever should have act or part in the work of demolition, or should tread the streets cut through the grounds of the torn-down convents; but, after a week or so, all fear vanished, and not only did the destroyers go about their work without remorse, but they even used the sacred woodwork of the churches to make their kitchen-fires, and the new streets had their passengers like the older ones."—"North American Review," October, 1880. Mr. Strother, who has studied the matter very carefully, suggests that an explanation may be found in the character of the Indian races of