El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-23
Life in LuZ0n.
From Freedom, a Manila Publication.

II From Freedom, a Manila Publication. 8
wv W.
Much has been written of life in the
tropics, and to some it may seem q
thread-bare subject, but it is not SO by
any means, as there is always some
thing striking, interesting and Origi-
nal to be met with in this climate. To
read OF Oriental countries has a special
charm Tor those who never visited the
places of which they read, while to
these who have it presents a still great
err charm. Moore's immortal poem,
"Lallah ROOKIE" leaves a lasting i'm
preston on the mind of all the beauties
of the east, and Captain Cooks ''Voy-
ages thrill n in q like degree, with
his stirring episodes and incidents of
travel in the Orient: though they are
now considered OLD, they still retain
their fascination.
1t requires considerable literary
taste and inspiration to do full Justice
to a subject bearing on the life and
manners of any people and it is with
this object in view that the writer
very humbly endeavors to give q
sE etch of "Life in the Philippines.'
SHELLEY in his poetry has painted the
sunsets of Italy in the most charming
manner. and with such q degree of
perfection that when q reads it
seems the Italian skies looms through
his verse; now if he had but only seen
the glorious sunsets we had on board
the Hancock, while sailing around
these four Isles for Manila, he would
have exclaimed with Joy: GLOW love-
ly. Not one of u regiment, the 21st,
can ever forget the splendor of those
deck one could hear nothing but ex-
CARNATIONS of admiration for their
loveliness. as myriads of colors crown
ed the distant mountains. Very fire.
quently, after sunset the heavens we're
lit with repeated flashes of lightning,
which continued late into the night,
often accompanied with heavy thuu-
der. The climatic conditions are most
favorable and genial, and suitable for
all kinds of growth, fruit vegetables
and cereals. Although the air Seems
somewhat oppressive, it is sweet with
perfume of flowers and foliage. The
scene presented as the ship entered
Manila Bay was one of supreme magni-
.fcence; mountains on both sides loom
ed up in the distance, like q city sesn
by Aladdin with his fable lamp; while
10 king toward the shore we could per-
ceive that AZURE wore her brightest
garb of green. The scenery of the
whole group needs but to be seen to be
admired.
Certainly pleasure seekers and
who go abroad would find the
Island of Luzon all that could be desir-
ed, while the most ardent lover of
nature would find every charm for
they longed. their ideal and
their Eden. Americans and Europeans
alike much admire the rural aspect of
the a u boo houses of the natives; they
are shady, cool, and present a pict-
uresque and serene appearance, very
hum ole, but in many respects as clean
inside as would be desired by western
people,: yet their appearance from the
is all tina the greatest idealist
Dr. dreamer most admire. To see them
hidden away among the verdant
9ardens, Or Nesting in the bosom of
sllvan groves, full of mango, pine
apple, and other Oriental
gives them q charm that can suit
he most artistic eye.
The natives have an odd way of cook
ng, worthy of attention. if space would
permit; suffice it to say refinement in
eating they ignore the existence
If table. knife or fork, and most al
ways the luxury of a seat, as they al
ways seem to sit on their heels-surely |
N odd way of resting. 1t takes con-
'iderable time, labor and patience to |
ret the bamboo together, for they are
most always three or Jour feet from
ground, and are built on any num-
oer of stout bamboo stakes which vary |
according to the size of the house, and
ire driven for some depth into the
The roof looks like a western
thatch. scorched by the tropical
'un; bomboo twigs also act for same
purpose. Some of the native women
attractive, neat, and are pictures
luely dressed in q costume peculiarly
Filipino, and which fgeuerslly con-
lists of a black or blue bodies wrapped
round the waist closely, and worn to
he knee; this is wOrn rel some bright |
Material, either pink or red, which is
'lways seen from below or above the
1nee, and reaches about our inches
rom the feet, and in some instances
lot that far; the bodice is almost as
lnely woven as cobweb, and made up
II something like lace, with wide
l%eeves, it is also roomy and airy about
he body. They are nearly all bare
Dotted. save in a few instances where
hey wear peculiar slippers. with full
oles and half uppers, giving the heels
omplete freedom of action, so much
o in fact that a stranger deems them
Utterly uncomfortable.
All Filipino ONE nave long, black
air, and as n wanders on he recogn-
zes the emblems of their religious con-
lotions: posted and taught by the mas
err minds of Spain. One can only speak
f this With admiration and respect or
OF at all, and probably it is best to say
5 Lord BryOn said: 81 speak not of
creeds; they rest between man
his maker"
1t surprises one to see the heavy
,ads carried by women on their heads,
, baskets, for they trudge along as
Chilly as 3 man with an empty,barrow,
hey have also al odd way of washing
lothes, which is done generally at a
or river on a rock near the
ri IL HhnH nlaaa- nala4Ao- 49,