The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-28

often finding these male nurses more salts
factory in many respects than the women
This approximate equality Of the sexes in
the philippines. not accorded to them by
Christianity S1It TO a great extent merely a
survival OF their own ancient tribal Gus
toms affords further evidence OF the un,
truth of the assumption by the Mill School
OF the immemorial and worldwide ''subjec-
ton Of women.
MATRIMONY OVERTURNED
Irregular unions are extremely common
and for this, strange to say the clergy are
largely responsible. Though a regular tariff
Of marriage fees exists, the priests often set
these aside and demand a quite exorbitant
fee, calculated upon the supposed
wealth of the parties, Tagals having
rooted aversion to being married else
where than in their own parish this abuse
of power is not easily evaded. The conse-
quence is that. in village and town alike.
many dispense altogether with the religious
ceremony, and content themselves with the
old communal or family sanction. the Gus
tomary gifts being presented TO the bride
rather, and the usual festivities held.
Mixed marriages have always been en-
couraged by the government of the Philip
pines. special advantages being granted to
military men who marry the daughters of
the country. Three centuries of intermar-
riage between European men and native
women, and also between the latter and the
numerous Chinese immigrants, have conse-
quently added TO the original population
large proportion of half-breeds representing
every degree of admixture.
The moral result of this is that they are
generally speaking, morose in disposition
captloGs in temper. evasive and vacillating
dissatisfied with their lot, fond of litiga-
ton and political intrigue and inclined to
foster grievances against the government
AAe better educated among them aspire to
becoming reformers OF their country's in
stitutions; and, even previously TO the late
revolts, certain number have been impru-
dent enough to give proof of the desire en-
a ln6 NV tn rVfaxx 7iCh
rule in the islands and establish instead a
Philippine republic.
1t is l believe, an ascertained fact that
the increase of energy introduced into the
Philippine native by European blood lasts
only to the second generation; and, left to
himself, the tendency Of the mestizo is ever
to revert to the maternal type. The native
is too incident and the hold of civilization
upon him TOO slight, ever to make anything
higher than municipal Self-gOVernment pos
sible in these islands.
THEIR GAY COSTUMES.
Most of the mestizos and many of the
Tagal women are arrayed in full skirts of
brightly checked, striped or brocaded silk
and those among them who content them
selves with cotton outve their weather.
sisters in wildly contrasting red, blue and
yellow. Over this the Tagals wear a piece
of dark blue stuff, fastened apron-wise
tightly round the hips, and descending to
the knee. The bel-shaped sleeves of their
short, loose jackets, made of pima gauze
and the kerchiefs of the same material
worn on the shoulders, and out of doors
on the head, have their borders decorated
with elaborate lacelike needlework. Their
long black tresseS. which when loose often
reach to their ankles. are neatly coiled at
the back of the head, where they are Sc
cured with gold-mounted pins and combs
often set with real diamonds, as are also
the bracelets, earrings and long, watch
chains which the Tagal elegante delights in
wearing. The stockingleSs feet are pro-
tected from the dust by chinelas, colored
slippers consisting merely of a sole and ac-
commodation for four toes, the small toe
remaining outside.
The native handles wear white duck
trousers and shirt, which latter may be
more or less of the cut familiar to us when
made of white calico, but the front is elab-
oratey embroidered, tucked or frilled, and
the back is disposed in full kits, unconfned
by the trousers. CamiSa fuera, shirt out
side, is the technical term of this native
fashion, which greatly scandaized an eld-
erly English lady on her arrival al Manila
Emily, my dear. don't look she ex-
claimed in a Mortified whisper to her daugh-
gaze. Don't look. The servant has forgot
to dress himself
The camsa fuera however, takes rather
the form of a blouse, and consequently
strikes European less oddly when made
of pima gauze, of the prettily striped just
or of the hempen abaca. With these the ma
tive pure and simple wears the salacot. a
mushroom-shaped, sun-proof hat, some
times inlaid round the brim with a pattern
in silver. This headgear of his forefathers
is discarded to great extent by the towns
man for straw hat of European form. as
he has discarded chinelas for patent leath-
er boots. The children, boys and girls are
made up into quaint little miniatures of
their elders. though, as above mentioned,
their costumes are ordinarily either of the
simplest Kind or conspicuous by their alb