Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/250

230 advice. Most of these curates are of indigenous or Creolian extraction: all the best clerical appointments were formerly reserved for the old Spaniards: — by the new system, the latter party is excluded to the benefit of the former, and this is a reason why the clergy, as a body, may be considered favourable to the new constitution; and, hence it follows that the people, being much influenced by them, would, if called upon by the supreme power, cheerfully devote themselves to the defence and preservation of the national independence. Amidst the middle and higher orders of society, scarcely any remains of a Spanish party even nominally exist, and the old Iturbide party is immerged in that of the Independents. I shall, elsewhere, give a sketch of the revolution of this republic, and also of the differences which have continued to disturb its tranquillity: I cannot, however, help observing, en passant, that the latter are by no means of that serious nature which the British public are generally disposed to