Misticismo y capitales: La Compania de Jesus en la economia habanera del siglo XVIII (review)

Misticismo y capitales is one of the latest works in the growing literature on Jesuit haciendas and other properties in Latin America. The Jesuits arrived late in Cuba, but during the short 47 years of their presence the society become one of the major landowners and sugar producers on the island. From the founding of Colegio San José in 1724 until their expulsion in 1767 the Jesuits acquired numerous properties to support their schools. At the time of the expulsion they were among the six most important sugar producers. The author provides several tables that show who the benefactors were and what properties, houses, and refineries the Jesuits received as donations.

The Jesuits seemed to have arrived at the right time. Modern means of sugar production, accompanied by a new utilitarian mentality, were just being implemented in the Hispanic world. The Jesuits, already experienced hacienda owners in Mexico before going to the Antilles, applied their well-known practical sense to the running of sugar estates in Cuba, and proved themselves to be quite successful entrepreneurs. This very well-written economic history introduces facets of sugar growing that those less familiar with the topic would have missed. For example, the author underlines the importance of wood, needed for running the refineries. Those haciendas that had woods were, in general, successful. Unfortunately, as the author points out, this demand for wood depleted Cuba's forests. This work also brings to light the fate of Jesuit properties after the expulsion. The Junta de Temporalidades auctioned them off to local landowners who went on to become the major producers of the nineteenth century.

The work is less useful when it strays into the area of the history of mentalities. The author's descriptions of the Jesuits and their motivations come closer to the caricature of a nineteenth-century liberal. The author cites a document, which she admits is of dubious origin, to illustrate the venal and predatory character of the Jesuits, who were encouraged to use all means to collect the last wills of "wealthy widows" and to persuade other benefactors to offer gifts for their schools and properties. The author also underlines the incongruity between the Jesuits' vow of poverty and their corporate wealth. In another section she also points to the contrast between Jesuit extravagance in their churches and liturgies and the Christian model of simplicity. A better knowledge of Jesuit origins and history would have helped at this point. Jesuits, for example, distinguished themselves from other orders by their emphasis on obedience. Individual Jesuits were expected to lead austere lives (and colonial literature seems to bear this out) in the service of their educational works and churches, which they wanted to be among the best. Also, the Society of Jesus was born in the baroque age: the Jesuits believed that God was best praised through the use of good music, art, and well-done ritual. Naturally, the paragon of good architecture was also baroque. That mentality, very much tied to the Counter-Reformation, gave way to a new mentality after Vatican II. Finally, the author lists the Jesuits' "religious fanaticism" among the reasons for their expulsion. She would have done well to explain what is meant by "religious fanaticism," especially since the Jesuits, who were practical businessmen and were well versed in the humanities, were not considered "fanatics" by their friends and students, only by the enemies who expelled them.

The author is on surer, and more documented, ground when she cites James D. Riley's pioneering work on Jesuit haciendas in Mexico (1976) to discuss the Jesuits' treatment of their slaves. For example, the Jesuits favored marriages in order to guarantee stability. The author also notes that slaves on Jesuit haciendas probably worked less than slaves on sugar plantations in the nineteenth century, when the modern efficiency mentality was fully applied. Other facets—such as health and longevity...