The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-05-25

n n ANILA is a city Of beautiful
nH homes and extremely pictur-
esque surroundings. the col
u orful Orient blended with
the practical convenience OF the Occi-
dent, according to a writer in the New
York Sun.
In the early days, from 1900 to 1908,
there was great ditficulty in finding
suitable homes for civilians and quar-
ters for officers of the army. At pres
ent in and about the city there are
many attractive dwellings, rearranged
Spanish houses and thoroughly up-to-
date bungalows. Possibly one might
criticize the intimate way in which
some Of the pretty concrete bungalows
are huddled, two or three together, on
a plot Of land which, in Singapore or
Colombo, would be considered made
quate for the grounds of one home.
Inside, however, the tiny house Is
luminously fresh and clean. If you are
an American, the condensed con-
venience of it all may compensate to
degree for the restricted lawn. 1t is
the spirit of practically moved
straight over to the Philippines from
the United States, which builds two
houses where one should be.
Comparatively few Americans have
built homes of their own. Mostly they
have lived in the old Spanish houses,
which are exceedingly commodious
and picturesque, but often rather
primitive as regards sanitary arrange
ments. They are solidly constructed
to keep out the heat of the sun and
also the typhoons.
The sliding windows with their
many small panes Of opalescent oys-
ter shell can enclose the house COM
pletely against ravaging wind and
rain. There is invariably a stone
paved courtyard where, before the
days Of automobiles, the carriages
were kept. The family occupied the
upper story, while the servants quar-
tiers were on the ground floor. These
were never more than two stories be-
cause of possible earthquakes. AS
rule, the stable was underneath, or
near the kitchen, and the horses were
brought around from the back and
harnessed to the carriage in the front
courtyard.
The iron barred windows Of Spanish
times are seen always in Manila, even
in the modern bungalows. They ar
ford excellent protection against ma
RAIDERS, both animal and human.
Typical High Class Dwelling.
The inner entrance, paved with
blocks of stone, leads by the tiled
steps and hallway on the ground floor
Beyond are the servants quarters and
kitchen. To the left before entering
the dining room is the room OF the
No. 1 boy or major-dOmo, who super
intends the household and must be al
ways on hand. In typical dwelling
of the better class the condor, or
dining room, has a tiled floor barred
windows and furniture OF the beautl-
full native hard wood, nara, which
resembles mahogany. The table,
which seats twelve persons, is of one
piece Of nara.
The walls Of the stairway are deco
rated with very old temple hangings
and Moro scarfs, intricately woven by
hand and wildly colored. Frequently
| the stairway leads directly into the
large middle sala, WHICH is combina-
| ton Of hall and drawing room Walls
! and ceiling are covered with cloth
which is painted or frescoed. In the
sala illustrated the frescoing is in soft
pink.
| The chairs, Of woven sea grass and
| bamboo, are painted white and uphol-
| stored in pink lowered chintz. Odd
shaped pieces of blackwood and nara
| furniture are all about, and ancient
and curious embroideries, prints and
| brasses adorn walls and tables. All
! the rooms are wonderfully ample and
| airy. Floors, doors, blinds and all
| woodwork finishings are of exquisite
| native timber.
The large black sala, in cool blue,
| opens on a veranda which faces the
| sea Here one has superb view OF
outgoing and incoming ships in the
| natural harbor, guarded Oh either side
! by N ountainous Mariveles and Core
| gidor Around the rooms, which are
| on the weather side of the house, runs
! a galeria, or small corridor, perhaps
four feet wide. In time of severest
| typhoons it can be entirely enclosed
| SO as to shelter the rooms in case the
| sliding windows are not sufI!c., mt FRO
toction.