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THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA
Conception, and of the adjacent islands Sibuyan, Banton, Tablas, Luciara, Maestro de Campo, Bantayan, Dauis, and Camote to the North and N.E., and of the island of Fuego or Siquijor to the South. The third group, or sea of Mindanao, is divided into the dis- tricts of Zamboanga, Misamis, Suriago, New Guipuzgoa, Davao Bislig, and Basilan, with the adjacent islands Camiguin, Caburao, Duiagat Asgño, Oyarzal, and Vivero to the N.E.; Siluanga and General on the East; Buentua, Tengquil, Balanguingi, and Sulu with all the islands that make up the group of that name in the S.E. Altogether there are estimated to be 1,200 islands in the Philippine Archipelago. Its wealth of timber is incalculable, yielding resins, gums, mastich-pastes, dye-products, fine-grained ornamental woods, also heavy timber suitable for building purposes. There are also mines in abundance in Mencayan and Lepanto. In Lupac and Agbas copper is found and copper and iron pyrites in Suyne. In Paracale and North Camarines there are veins of gold worked by the natives. In the rivers of Sapan, Casiguran, and New Ecija there are found gold pyrites of good quality. In Mambulao and Camarines there are some gold mines in operation. There are many hot springs of iron and sulphur waters, all of excellent medicinal properties. The famous "Holy Waters" of Tuli and Sibu are visited every year in large numbers by the islanders seeking relief from their sufferings. The endemic complaints of the country are swamp fever, diarrhwa, beri-beri, and a few others. Incurable leprosy is very limited among the natives. The mortality is low, considering the number of inhabitants.
Dr. Augustin de la Cavada, a Spanish historian, says of the natives that they are of a mild, submissive, and respectful disposition, predisposed to religious observances, extremely superstitious, and very hospitable. Those of Batangas, Cagayan, and Southern Ilocos are better workers and more industrious than those of the other Provinces. During their youth they work with energy and a certain intellectual vigour, but on reaching a more advanced age they lose a large part of their disposition for work and lapse into an indolence that is one of their greatest defects. The women are averse to idleness and have a spirit of enterprise, and they often engage in various trades with success. They are economical and sacrifice themselves with delight for the sake of those for whom they feel any affection.
The rivers and streams of the Philippines are countless and traverse the islands in all directions, the natural result of mountain peaks and ranges that extend over a large area,
The most noteworthy volcanoes are Buheyan in Mindanao, Taal in Batangas, and Bulusan and Mayon in Albay. The last is in continual eruption and at times creates terror in the surrounding country, on account of the quantity of boiling water, ashes, and lava it throws out. In 1872 an eruption of this volcano destroyed entirely the villages of Malinao, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Polangui, and Albay.
MANILA
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is situated on the western side of the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the river Pasig, which empties itself into the Bay of Manila, and is now held by the forces of the United States. War having been declared, between the United States and Spain, the fleet of the former on the 1st May, 1898, sailed into Manila Bay and totally destroyed the Spanish fleet, practically with no loss to the attacking side. Thereafter the city was bombarded until the 13th August, when a Military force having arrived, the Americans took possession after are almost unresisted assault.
The city was founded in 1571. In 1645 it was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, in which upwards of three hundred lives were lost. In 1863 a great part of the city was again destroyed from the same cause, and in July, 1880, another terrible upheaval made wreck of a great portion of it. The inhabitants are naturally in constant fear of these visitations. The dwelling-houses are built with especial reference to safety under such circumstances, and, although large, possess few pretensions to architectural beauty. The city is practically divided into two parts, the official on walled city being built on the left bank of the Pasig river, while the commercial city is situated on the island of Binondo, which forms the right bank of the same river. The Escolta, the main business street, traverses this suburb, and in it most of the European stores and bazaars are to be found. The Rozario, another broad