Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-03-14
PROM rHE PHILIPPINES
Pred Luekie, Son Of J. R Laekie, Of
this City, Writes Of the Customs Of
the Filipinos-Their Homes.

Philippines, ii cannot be written upon
too much, for they deserve all the
praise that they can getand more.
zone viii find in the ranks many
men who have graduated from the best
Universities in our country. Then
there are the poSseSsors Of but a COM
mon school education but each forgets
the difference and as soldiers they are
to be found treading their posts, with
the rain beating down upon them till
they are wet TO the skin, yet they
keep on bravely doing their duty Of
standing sentry over their sleeping
comrades with never a thought Of or a
care for the different stations Of their
past lives.
For weeks at a time they are to be
found marching from place to place
with only an occasional stop Of a few
hours for sleep or something to eat
1t is impossible toget change ofcloth-
ing in many weeks, and those who are
spared from the enemy's bullets, or
bolOs often fan victims Of even a
worse fate resulting from their forced
filthy condition.
Out in the mountains where only
small detachments are stationed the
only medical treatment received is at
the hands Of priyates in the hospital
corps, an able body Of men, we'll
trained at a military school presided
over By eEperience armysurgeons, these
men must have a knowledge Of many
things in connection with their many
duties in rendering first aid to their
comrades. A practical knowledge Of
pharmacy, physiology, anatomy and
nurseing must be had to pass the
most rigid examination required be-
fore they are selected for duty in the
field.
out On the firing line there is a
base hospital, a temporary safe guard
for a wounded soldier where he is
treated until such time as he can be
safely moved to a general hospital
where ever comfort and medical at
tendance is given him.
After a few weeks confinement in
hospital a soldier always wishes to re-
DIN his command at the front. II the
hears news Of any engagement they
have been in with the'enemy. it only
makes his desires stronger 10 get back
among his comrads.
And another thing that is good for
a sick patient in a hospital is 70 have
a letter from home. 1t does more
good than all the doctors and medi-
cine can, ii puts new life into the
body.
II takes many months to become
sufficiently acclimated 10 endure the
heat and the damp climate Of this
tropical country. The air is full Of
poisonous germs and although the
greatest care is taken, they gain ac-
cess 70 the skin, coyeringi II with a large
red blotch known as the dobie-itch,
and with our thick blood we fall an
easy prey to it
l have said enough on this subject
and | viii write a little about Manila
and the life and habits Of the Tagalo.
First ! will try to give you a good de-
scription Of Manila. The province OF
Manila has an area Of seTenty-three
Thousand acres OF arabic land very
level. Much Of it is too swampy t0
produce anything except grass. The
province has a population Of over a
half million Filipinos and h~alfcastes,
and there are estimated TO be about
sixty thousand Cinnamon. Situated
within the province is the city Of
Manila, capital Of Luzon, and the
nursery Of the revolution. The city
is densely populated, though on Oul
arrival it seemed almost deserted by
the native men. while the women and
children crowded the streets and al
leys. The Pasig river rises in Laguna
de Baym and flows a distance Of TWEEN.
ty miles into Manila bay, separating
New Manila and Old Manila.
The old city is called the walled
citY and is surrounded bya massive
wall which has eight gate-ways, foul
from the land and four from the
water. These entrances are protected
by draw bridges and large bulwaFks
In the days when the powerful gum
we're undreamed Of these walls wert
50 ~impregnable that a small garrison
stood Of an English feet. Though II
our navy had been called on to reduce
them at the same time Of the surren,
der Of the city in 1895, a few she'll
from Admiral DeweY's guns would
have left them collapsed lime kilns.
The University Of st. Thomas
founded over three centuries ago as q
seat Of knowledge, wisdom and educa
ton, is a wonderful institution man.
aged by the Dominican Friars. To II
the FlipinOs must always be indebt
ed for light which was lavishly be
slowed upon them. Those that yer,
fortunate enough to obtain an eduea
ton within its walls became, Will
but few exceptions, thoroughly
cultivated and respectable men
Though we must not for a moment
think that all who graduated from
the school gracefully bon0red il
afterwards for there was an admir-.
ture Of blood In manyO Of the cOllegians
which must have been tainted with
that awful hereditary maledictia
rascality which is certain 10 manifest
itself no matter how well and honest,
ly they were reared.
The cost Of the valuable collection
Of the great institution must hav,
been large. The expenditures or
Zoology, Mineralogy, and Taxidermis
try may be underestimate By many
but, as a scientific gentleman remark.
ed to me- in the place, fortunes were
spent in perfecting the valuable col
lection which is beyond a mere money
consideration. Many species Of the
eagle, duck and song birds common in
America are carefully preserved there,
and numerous specimens from all
parts Of the world are shown. The
palace and treasury building, the
ArchbishOp's residence and other
buildings for administrative purposes
are closely grouped within the walls.