Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-04-06


My personal knowledge OF the WON
zen Of the Philippines Is limited TO
those OF Manila and the surrounding
towns. Considering the times. condi-
lions and opportunities. my circle of
friends there Is not inconslderable.
and whenever the occasion offered !
found their kindly hospitality and gen
tie courtesy unfaillng The Philip
pines contain many different. distinct
tribes and dialects. which ! shall not.
however. touch upon. but give my own
experience and observations
As In every other country. the WON
en- OF the Philippines are divided into
classes. the hlgh.born ladies who are
bright and attractive. dress dalntily.
possess their horses aud carriages.
live In luxury. entertain sumptuously'
and find life altogether agreeable; the
middle class-perhaps the happlest.
for there IN no "noblesse oblige"-who
are independent. unconventional. com
Portable. and the poorer. whose cares
and clothes are few. labors light and
habits extremely simple
was brought In contact with them
all and found much TO interest me in
each.
My Introduction was 90 the sweet.
faced. gentle hammered nuns OF Con
cordla, who so kindly and cordially
offered me shelter upon my arrival In
Manila. when the recent uprising In
the town rendered u dangerous for un'
pr. ected Americans. While many Of
them were natives. | fancy quite a
number were brought from Spain. but
so long ago they had easily acquired
the habits and customs OF the country,
which under Spanish rule was. after
all. much like their own.
The convent. several miles out OF
Manila. was beautifully situated
among tropical shade trees. with fine
grounds and an imposing entrance,
where one always me, with hospit-
able welcome. In prosperous times
before the war"-this grand old con
vent was supported by from 500 to 500
pupils Now there were only 40 desti.
tute girls. whom these good women
fed. clothed and sheltered by the labor
OF their hands.
This was also the case at Convente
de Pace. where ! soon became an In.
innate" learned to know and love the
sisters there and shall always rcmem-
Der most gratefully their Kindness and
sympathy.
A.ncuw eha rnaux rouxa,t. Il. 81
about Manila there are two more that
knew well-Santa Isabella. IL the
walled city. where my little girls at.
tended school for a short time, and the
one so picturesque on a little island In
the Paslg. near Ayala bridge. We are
still wearing garments made by the
busy fingers there. and the three rag
dolls. over whose trousseaus these
nuns and even the visiting padre de-
rived much amusement. are treasured
In the family as tendcrly as ever For
pretty dolls OF blsque. paper or even
rag are unknown In that country.
My children were profoundly struck
with the "nothings" In the way OF
toys TO be found. They we're intensely
amused one morning at santa Isabella
at the interest created by some large.
handsome paper dolls just received
from home. Taken TO school for the
recreation hour. they delayed the
opening Of the entire school. while
nuns and pupils alike gathered around
and enjoyed for the first time thls--to
) them-novel sight My little girls
stood on a platform and changed the
costumes OF these dolls and were quite
as entertained as their friends.
The lower class. whose lives are so
simple. whose wants are marvelously
g.. xvhoao orcnnaffonq arr varlad ana