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414
THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA.
the lamps was found to describe an arch of four and a half feet; the huge corne r stones of the principal gate of the city were displaced; the great tells were se ringing. It lasted b. tween two and three minutes, rent the walls of several churches and other buildings, but was not accompanied by subterranean noises, as is usually the case."
In 1863 also a very disastrous earthquake occurred, and another last year. Persons visiting the Philippines are required to obtain a passport from their own Government, and have it viséd at the Spanish Consulate at the port of embarkation.
MANILA.
Manila, the ca. ital of the P. ilippin s, is situated on the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the river Pasig, which empties itself into the Bay of Manila. 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, 1879 another terrible upheaval again made wreck of a great portion of it: the inhabitats are naturally in constant fear of these visitations. The dwelling-houses are built with especial reference to safety under such circun stances, and, although large, possess few pretensions to architectural beauty. The streets, also, are narrow and but small attention has been devoted to There are several ancient churches which securing shade by the growth of trees. are worthy of notice. The catl edral, founded originally in 1578, has been several times destroyed by earthquakes and did not escape in 1863. It has been since rebuilt, but again sustained considerable damage last year, when the tower was so much shattered that it had to be pulled down. The city and its suburbs contain a population of nearly 300,000 and are the seat of a considerable and yearly increasing commerce. The principal articles of export are hemp, sugar, tobacco, ci ars, coffe, and indigo, while in the imports cotton goods form the chief item. Only a small portion of the present city is enclosed within the walls. The anchorage is distant some three miles from the shores. The river presents a scene of great animation, being crowded with native craft, interspersed with vessels of foreigu build. The passport system is in force and no one can enter or leave without previously obtaining a pass. Before landing passengers are obliged to pull alongside a Cu-tom-house guard boat stationed near the landing place to pre- vent smuggling. The garrison of Manila consists of one European and several native regiments. The police of the city is also under military discipline and is composed of natives. A very low average of crime is said to exist, but the native classes are much addicted to gambling, an off nce punishable by law, although the Government reaps a large portion of its revenue from the sale of lottery tickets. A race meeting is held in the spring and usually good sport is afforded. The chief standing amusement is the opera, very good companies being induced to visit the islands by the liberal patronage they receive. The orchestra is usually composed of natives, who possess a remarkably good ear for music. The principal theatre was burnt down on the 13th October, 1878, and I as not yet been rebuilt. There are four daily papers, El Diario de Manila and La Oceania Española, published in the morning, and El Comercio and El Diario de Filipinas, which appear in the evening. An attempt was made in 1878 to estab- lish an illustrated journal, but after an existence of a few months it expired from lack of support. The hot season commences in March and continues until July, when the rains commence and continue to December, during which time the roads and streets get into a very bad condition. The maximum annual rainfall r. corded is 114 inches and the minimum 84 inches. The maximum of the thermometer is about 92, with a range of ten degrees during the twenty-four hours, a cool sea breeze setting in at night and reducing the heat to an endurable temperature for sleeping. According to the census of 1873 there were residing in Manila 250 foreigners of European origin, 4,189 European Spaniards, 15,157 Chinese, 46,066 Chinese mestizos (or half-breeds), 3,849 Spanish mestizos, and 160,896 pure natives. In 1879 there entered the port of Manila with cargoes 297 vessels of 190,634 tons and in ballast 55 vessels of 52,650 tons; and cleared with cargoes 321 vessels of 218,552 tons and in ballast 52 vessels of 35,972 tons. The value of the imports was $17,766,054, and that of the exports $14,998,155.
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