The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-05-18

ANlLA Is CITY Ol DeduIlLu1
AU homes and extremely pictur-
esQue surroundings, the col
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 difficulty 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 upto-
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. II you are
an American, the condensed con-
venience of 1t all may compensate to
a degree for the restricted lawn. It 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 stone
paved courtyard where, before the
days of automobiles, the carriages
were kept The family occupied the
upper story, while the servants quar-
ters we're on the ground floor. These
were never more than two stories be
cause of possible earthquakes. AS
rule, the stable was underneath, OF
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 af
ford excellent protection against ma
rauders, both animal and human.
The inner entrance, paved with
blocks of stone, leads by the tiled
steps and hallway on the ground floor
Beyond are the servants quarters anC
kitchen. To the left before entering
the dining room is the room Of the
No. boy or major-domo, who super
intends the household and must be al
ways on hand. In q typical dwelling
OF the better class the condor, Of
dining room, has tiled floor, barred
windows and furniture of the beauti
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 hangingl
and Moro scarfs, intricately woven b!
hand and wildly colored. Frequentl!
the stairway leads directly into thu
large middle sala, which is combina
tion of hall and drawing room. Wall'
and ceiling are covered with clotl
which is painted or frescoed. In th'
sala illustrated the frescoing is in sof
pink.
The chairs, of woven sea grass ant
bamboo, are painted white and uphol
stored in pink lowered chintz. Odd
shaped pieces of blackwood and narr;
furniture are all about, and ancien
and curious embroideries, prints ant
brasses adorn walls and tables. AL
the rooms are wonderfully ample AM
airy. Floors, doors, blinds and al
woodwork finishings are Of exquisit
native timber.