Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-05-12

imposing buildings years ago before
they we're shaken and in some cases |
wrecked by earthquakes. They contain |
no works of art of any value. The in |
habitants are very faithful 10 their |
church and the archbishop possesses al |
most unlimited influence with the in
habitants. 1t has often been said, II
the priests were taken away, the natives
would be ungovernable. The dwelling
houses in Manila are constructed with q
view of shutting ont the intense heat OF
the summer The houses are rarely
more than two stories in height, owing
to the ravages of earthquakes. Glass Is
of course unknown, as the earthquakes
would shiver every pane. There is coal
in abundance in the Philippine Islands
as already stated and the streets OF
Manila would undoubtedly be lighted
with coal gas if it were not for the fact
that gas pipes would be destroyed IN
the unstable soil. OF course, accidents
are of frequent occurrence with kero-
sene. but as the natives houses are very
inexpensive, their loss by fire is easily
made good.
Strange to say. life i'll the old city
does not present many points of interest
to the traveller for the streets are mar
row and the houses solid and gloomy.
1t is a marked contrast to the business
like cities of South America. The
Spaniards born in the Iberian peninsula
look down upon those born IN the
islands. so that class distinctions are
very closely drawn. This has resulted
in the failure to make political comb
nations. Hatred and jealousy OF the
foreigner are carried to extreme 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 Sunday and
! cock fights. The cockpits are licensed
by the government, and, though. the
betting is limited by law. the citizens
will not hold to it. The revenues OF the
islands are furnished by direct taxes on
every Indian, half-breed and Chinese,
and the export and imports duties have
| already been referred to.
The dress of the natives is exceeding
| " picturesque and is never adopted by
the Spanish Cigar makers IN and
around the city of Manila number
%, 900 and they are all girls and women
with the exception of /, 800 men. They
present picturesque appearance Win
| their native costume and huge hats IN
tended to protect them from the rays OF
the sun They make their cigars squat
ting on the heels or sitting on BAN
boo stools two inches high. They tre-
quently come from considerable dis
tances, going hack and forth in beats.
Tobacco has always been and probably
will continue to be the most important
product of the Philippines; and, accord
ing to the old laws, the Indians were
compelled to raise tobacco in certain
regions which were not adapted to
growing it, even to the exclusion OF
other crops, but in 1888 the laws were
repealed and the result was the secur-
ing of finer tobacco and better cigars
for they are now made at higher rate;
The wants of the natives are few and
are easily supplied. They live along
the banks of the rivers in huts made OF
bamboo and cane matched with palm
leaves. Some of the views in the
suburbs of Manila are enchanting
| Scietifc American.