Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/717

Rh Bishop Julian Garcés, the first appointed prelate in New Spain, had died in 1542 at the advanced age of ninety, deeply regretted for his unobtrusive earnestness and his unostentatious benevolence. His successor, Pablo Gil de Talavera, appointed in 1543, survived his arrival in 1545 only a few days, and the see was bestowed on Martin Sarmiento of Hojacastro, lately comisario of the Franciscans in New Spain, who emulated Garcés in earnest zeal, and showed himself ever the self-denying friar. He died in 1558, and was succeeded by Fernando de Villagomez, who ruled till 1571, when the vacancy was filled by the promotion from Michoacan of Bishop Morales y Molina. He lived only until 1576, after which Diego Romano, canon of Granada and inquisitor, was appointed, with the additional task of taking the residencia of Viceroy Zúñiga and of the audiencia at Guadalajara. The selection proved admirable, for Romano possessed high administrative ability, combined with energy and zeal, and showed himself a patron of education by founding several colleges.