St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-05-11

In the two best streets Of Manila there
are excellent stores in which goods OF all
kinds can be purchased at moderate
prices. many of the merchants being Chi
nese. The churches must have been i'm
posing buildings years ago before they
were shaken and in some cases wrecked
by cart hquakes. They contain no works
oil art OF any value. The inhabitants are
very faithful to their church and the arch
bishop possesses almost unlimited infiu-
ence with the inhabitants. 1t has often
be, said, if the priests were taken away,
the natives would be ungovernable. The
dwelling houses in Manila are con-
structed with view OF shutting out the
intense heat OF the summer. The houses
are rarely more than two stories in
height, owing to the ravages OF earth
uuakcs. Glass is OF course unknown, as
the earthquakes would shiver every pane.
There is coal in abundance in the Phil
ippine Islands. as already stated, and the
streets of Manila would undoubtedly be
lighted with coal gas il it were not tor
the TACT that gas pipes would be de-
stroyed in the unstable soil. OF course,
accidents are Of frequent occur ence with
kerosene, but as the natives houses are
very inexpensive, their loss by tire is
easily made good.
Strange to say, life in the old city does
not present many points of interest to
the traveller. for the streets are narrow
and the houses solid and gloomy. 1t is
marked contrast to the businesslike
cities oil South America. The Spaniards
born in the Iberian Peninsula look down
upon hose born in the islands, so that
class distinctions are very closely drawn
This has resulted in the failure to make
political combinations. Hatred and jeal-
ousy OF the foreigner are carried to ex'
IRENE limits, the Chinese coming in for a
large share Of their disfavor. The theaters
are poor. concerts are rare and there is
no library and their amusements are
mostly limited to hearing the band play,
attending balls on Sundays and cock
fights. The cockpits are licensed by the
government, and, though the betting is
limited bv law, the citizens will not hold
to it. The revenues of the islands are
furnished by direct taxes onevery Indian,
half-breed and Chinese, and the export
and import duties have already been re-
ierred to.
The dress of the natives is exceedingly
picl uresque and is never adopted by the
Spanish. Cigar makers in and around
the city Of Manila number $4,000 and
they are all girls and women with the ex
ception of 1900 men. They present a
picturesque appearance with their native
costume and huge hats intended to pro
tect them from the rays Of the sun. They
make their cigars squattng on their heels
or sitting on bamboo stools two inches
high. They frequently come from con
siderable distances, going back and forth
in boats. Tobacco has always been and
probably will continue to be the mos
important product Of the Philippines
and, according to the old laws, the In
J dams were compelled to raise tobacco il
. certain regions which were not adapted
: to growing it, even to the exclusion o
other crops. but in 1888 the laws were
! repealed and the result was the securing
of finer tobacco and better cigars, fol
. they are now made at higher rate. Th'
l wants OF the natives are few and arr
easily supplied. They live along tn
banks OF the rivers in huts made of BAN
, boo and cane matched with palm leaves
t Some Of The views in the suburbs of Ma
Mia are enchanting Scientific Amer
l lean.