Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 428

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THE PHILIPPINES MANILA.

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all fled into the fields, and six vessels in the port were wrecked. The number of victims was never ascertained. In 1828, during another earthquake, the vibration of the lamps was found to describe an arch of four and a half feet; the huge corner- stones of the principal gate of the city were displaced; the great tells were set ringing. It lasted between two and three minutes, rent the walls of several burches and other buildings, but was not accompanied by subterranean noises, as is usually the case." In 1863 another very disastrous earthquake occurred.

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 Pilippin 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 the inhabita: ts are 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 streets, also, are narrow and but small attention has been devoted to securing shade by the growth of trees. There are several ancient churches which are worthy of notice. The catedral, founded originally in 1578, has been several times destroyed by earthquakes and did not escape in 1863. It has been since rebuilt. 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 foreign 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 Custom-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 offence 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 amuse- ment 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 as not yet been rebuilt. There are three daily papers, El Diario de Manila and La Oceania Española, published in the morning, and El Comercio, which appears in the evening. An attempt was made in 1878 to establish 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 raius 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 se ting 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 ori in, 4,189 European Spaniards, 15,157 Chinese, 46,066 Cinese mestizos (or half-breeds), 3,849 Spanish mestizos, and 160,896 pure natives. In 1878 there entered the port of Manila with cargoes 269 vessels of 164,869 tons and in ballast 53 vessels of 51,452 tons; and cleared with cargoes 403 vessels of 267,946 tons and in ballast 37 vessels of 30,920 tons. The value of the imports was $16,465,208, and that of the exports $12,851,221.

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