Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 562

MANILA.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is situated in 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, 1880, another terrible upheaval again 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 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 cathedral, founded originally in 1578, has been several times destroyed by earthquake and did not escape in 1863. It has been since rebuilt, but again sustained considerable damage in 1880, when the tower was Bo 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, cigara, coffee, and indigo, while of 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 presenta 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 obtain- ing a pass. Before, landing passengers are obliged to pull alongside a Custom-house guard boat stationed near the landing place to prevent 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 re- venue from the sale of lottery tickets. A race meeting is held in the spring, and usually good sport is afforded. On the 20th October, 1882, a typhoon of almost unparalleled severity swept over the city and surrounding district, doing enormous damage and laying a great part of Manila in ruins. 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. 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 recorded is 114 inches and the minimum 84 inches. The maximum of the ther- mometer is about 92, with a range of ten degrees during the twenty-four hours, a cool sea breeze getting in at night and reducing the heat to an endurable temperature for sleeping. According to the census of 1878 there were residing in Manila 250 for- eigners 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 1882 the imports reached a value of $20,018,784, and the exports $14,579,347. The complete official returas for 1883 have not yet been published, but from a table published in a local paper it appears the export of hemp was 641,802 piculs, value about $6,918,625; and the export of sugar 1,529,943 piculs, value 37,267,129. The value of tobacco and cigars exported from the Philippines generally is given as $3,842,366.