The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-12

n LID Manila. with It's Fashioned and en-
battled walls, stands on the spot Sc
" lected by Legaspi at the mouth of the
Pasig. 1t Is not an inviting site, but STRAIT
| egic and commercial considerations amply
justified the determination OF It In the
|irst days OF the Spanish colony. The
massive stone walls erected at the close
Iof the sixteenth century remain In n
state of remarkable preservation, and
make Manila Intramuros one of the
Finest examples of medieval military
existing. Hardly as ancient,
|Drt equally useless with the quaint draw
bridges, were the futile cannon which
|filed the embrasures. Like SCARED
and fangfess wolfhound. the grand old
stronghold stands memento of drawer
and better days. Stirring deeds are asso-
ciated with the history, and many 4
thine has old Manila upheld the sover-
|eignty of Spain In Pacific waters. These
fsray ramparts repealed Chinese and Moro
pirates, Dutch and Portuguese invaders.
before the British forced them and cap
|tured the city. The heavy walls have
(wlthstood with little injury the many
EARTHQUAKES which from time to time
|nave laid the interior buildings low.
Manila Intramuros Is small and crowd
led. Its circumference of somewhat more
Khan two miles is bounded by water, on
two sides the river and the bay. on the
Others a moat- In recent years the I'M
sanitary state of the place has suggested
1.-THE erasure of the walls and moat. The
latter, stagnant and refuse-faden. has
Ilong been a prolific source of disease.
Fortunately. for archaeological reasons
the American authorities have decided to
preserve the old Notifications whilst I'LL
ar4sr int
Extensive flower garden.
Old Manila contains the Spanish gov
eminent and public buildings. the cathe-
dral and IL other churches, number OF
mona steries converts. colleges and SINH
liar ecclesiastical structures, a few re-
hail shops and the intermingled residences
or the rich and poor. So frequent md
disastrous has been the destruction by
Earthquake that no ancient building re-
mains In its entirety, but as refnstate-
nent has generally followed original lines,
IN the main the tout ensemble is medieval
and attractive to the sentfmentalist. The
hygfenist, however. viii withhold approval
from the narrow streets and congested
dwellings with their lack OF what We
consider ordinary sanitary conveniences.
Under the Spaniards Manila Intramuros
was dull. somber place. There were /
no cafes, theaters or other places of |
Except for an occasional |
review in the square or a re- |
igious procession there was nothing to /
relieve the dreary monotony OF daily life. |
The early day was spent behind closed |
blinds. From 10 In the evening So /
ciety went calling in languid and digni- |
led fashion. Toward sunset all Manila |
Sravitated to the Luneta. where on foot |
and in carriages they circled its oval |
course whilst listening to the strains |
II a military band. Here also the popu-
ace of all classes thronged to witness
he public executions, which during the |
fagalog rebellion were OF almost daily |
recurrence. The condemned stood lined
gainst the sea wall to be shot down by
pgatoons OF Spanish infantry, whilst the
srowd shouted vivas. some in sympathy |
With the authorities. others in fear of |
hem.
The streets of the city were badly paved
md the sidewalks. overhung by the upper |
tories OF the houses. were In many places
90 narrow TO admit OF the passage OF |
wo pedestrians abreast. Lamps, supplied |
With cocoanut oil or Kerosene. Inadequate
v served TO light the thorcughfares ers
he police reGula tons were strict aud
God order prevailed within the walls
he fire department. which is now under
hief Bonner. one OF the best IN the
last. was then a very crude Institution
18th the most primitive equipment.
lanes have frequently destroyed large
ortsons of the city
A private residence is seldom more than
vo stories In height. nor. indeed. do the
1blie buildings often exceed that aIti.
lde. The ground floor of the former is
ways given over to the servants or used
: q he !
the second floor. broad staircase |
ads from the ground TO spacious hail.
allied the ca:da. Giving of from this |
re the reception and dining rooms and
xtending along the inner sides of these |
ie sleeping apartments. The kitchen. |
9fhroom- etc. are in an adjoining yard