Science and Letters, a magazine from Matanzas

In 1894, the Matanzas Secondary Education Institute published its official magazine. Science and Letters was its name.

The first issue was published on July 15, 1894. It was directed by the doctor and pedagogue Eduardo Díaz Martínez, who held the same position at the head of the Institute.

All the professors at the center were editors of the publication. Miguel Garmendia, an illustrious figure in Matanzas education, was the secretary of the editorial staff and the naturalist Miguel Rodríguez Maribona was the administrator.

Although it included issues of general interest in its pages, it was the sciences that benefited the most. It also included the internal work of the Institute.

The first work published in the magazine was a biography of Francisco Jimeno, who had died years before. Its author was Eduardo Díaz, who had been his family doctor, which is why it has testimonial significance.

Among the most relevant articles that appeared in its pages is the series entitled “Experimental science in Cuba.” They were written by the doctor Domingo L. Madan, a well-known benefactor from Matanzas.

In them he highlighted the importance of bacteriological research in the world and in Cuba. He also presented considerations about glanders and rabies, which were among the main contagious diseases in the country.

It is worth highlighting the review “Scientific Excursion to Pan de Matanzas”, by Juan S. Michelena and Miguel Rodríguez Maribona. In it they presented the results of the explorations and collections they carried out in that emblematic place in the geography of Matanzas.

The “Elementary Notions of Psychology”, published by Mateo I. Fiol in several issues, are of great value. They were an extract from the famous conferences published by Enrique José Varona, adapted to the students of the Institute.

Fiol also wrote the articles “Theosophy and Scientific Theosophyphobia” and “Man According to Theosophy”.

Miguel Rodríguez Maribona wrote about some specimens of moonfish and Chimaera monstrosa found in Matanzas Bay. There is even a beautiful illustration of the specimens of these fish, which were donated to the institution’s museum.

However, the most valuable writing published in this magazine is “Biographical essay on Dr. Juan Gundlach”, also by Miguel Rodríguez Maribona. It is a recount of the life of this naturalist, with so many contributions to Cuban science.

Even in the issue of September 15, 1894, as part of the first part of this essay, there is a photo of Gundlach. It is not very well known and shows him in his venerable old age.

Other works were published in Ciencias y Letras during its short existence, since it existed until October of the same year 1894. Its authors were linked to the Matanzas Secondary School.

The Gener y Del Monte Provincial Library contains all the issues of the journal Ciencias y Letras, which is preserved in good condition. It is urgent to digitize this relic of our history. (ALH)

Translated by Casterman Medina de Leon