ABSTRACT
The time now being come that I was to leave the little city of Chiapa, I took some occasion beforehand to take my leave of my best friends, whose children I had taught, and at my departure I must confess I found them kind and bountiful, except it were Donna Magdalena de Morales, from whom I did not expect, neither did I desire any farewell, or adieu token. But among all, the Governor’s wife was most liberal unto me, sending me many boxes of aromatical chocolate, and one extraordinary great box with four several divisions of different conserves gilt over, besides many maple breads, and biscuits made with eggs and sugar, a present it was which might have been sent to a greater man than to a poor worthless mendicant friar, and with this in a handkerchief a dozen pieces of eight. Don Melchor de Velasco yet exceeded her, in words and compliments I mean, but in deeds, he and all the crew of the Creoles must think to come short of them who are born in Spain. The first town I went unto was Theopixca, six leagues from Chiapa, a fair and great town of Indians, who are held to be next unto the Indians of the other Chiapa in sitting and riding a horse. In this town is nothing so considerable as the church, which is great and strong, and the music belonging unto it sweet and harmonious. The vicar or curate of this place was one Friar Peter Martir, a Creole, whom I knew could not endure the Prior nor me, yet he would dissemble a love complimental exceeding well, and in outward shews raise it up to gradus ut octo. He knowing my prevalency with the Prior, durst not but give me very good entertainment, which continued two days, until I was weary of his compliments.
