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THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA
some prospectors. There are many hot springs of iron and sulphur waters, all of excellent medicinal properties. The famous "Holy Waters" of Tuii 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, diarrhea, 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.
The Civil Commission appointed in 1900, voted the same year $1,000,000 gold for the improvement of Manila Harbour, and a somewhat comprehensive school ineasure is under the consideration of this Commission. It is suggested that the English language shall form the basis of the instruction given, and a system of district super- intendence. It is hoped that in the municipal civil governments some provision will be made for local boards to supervise the work of the schools. It is expected to have the authority for the employment of from 300 to 500 skilled teachers from the United States. A compulsory school attendance clause is expected to be incorporated in the bill. It is desired to have money appropriated not only for the building of more and necessary school buildings but for the institution of normal schools for the training of native treachers.
The naval authorities are undertaking a very necessary work, namely that of surveying the local waters, and preparing new charts, the existing charts being very
inaccurate.
The principal articles of export from the Philippines are sugar, hemp, tobacco, and cigars. In 1898 the export of sugar was 2,843,116 piculs, as against 3,233,483 piculs in 1897; that of hemp 1,585,212 piculs as against 1,804,576 piculs in 1897, that of leaf tobacco 145,055 quarters, as against 309,585 quarters in 1897; and that of cigars 129,840 thousands as against 169,465 thousands in 1897.
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 the city 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 blockaded until the 13th August, when, a Military force having arrived, the Americans took possession after an 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