[70] Among scientific circles in Batavia the recent departure of the renowned ichthyologist, Dr. Bleeker, who intends to settle in Holland or Germany, will be the more appreciated, that this resolve will be regarded by his numerous European friends as a satisfactory assurance that the valuable materials relating to natural history which he has collected will ere long make their appearance in a suitable form.
[71] Voyagers between Batavia and Manila must not, however, always expect to make so rapid a voyage. In Manila we fell in with a ship captain, who had left Batavia in April, and, owing to the prevalence of calms and contrary winds, had been 59 days on the passage!
View from the Battlements at Manila.
XIII.
Manila.
Stay from 15th to 25th June, 1858.
Historical notes relating to the Philippines.—From Cavite to Manila.—The river Pasig.—First impressions of the city.—Its inhabitants.—Tagales and Negritoes.—Preponderating influence of Monks.—Visit to the four chief monasteries.—Conversation with an Augustine Monk.—Grammars and Dictionaries of the idioms chiefly in use in Manila.—Reception by the Governor-general of the Philippines.—Monument in honour of Magelhaens.—The "Calzada."—Cock-fighting.—"Fiestas Reales."—Causes of the languid trade with Europe hitherto.—Visit to the Cigar-manufactories.—Tobacco cultivation in Luzon and at the Havanna.—Abáca, or Manila hemp.—Excursion to the "Laguna de Bay."—A row on the river Pasig.—The village of Patero.—Wild-duck breeding.—Sail on the Lagoon.—Plans for canalization.—Arrival at Los Baños.—Canoe-trip on the "enchanted sea."—Alligators.—Kalong Bats.—Gobernador and Gobernadorcillo.—The Poll-tax.—A hunt in the swamps of Calamba.—Padre Lorenzo.—Return to Manila.—The "Pebete."—The military Library.—The civil and military Hospital.—Ecclesiastical processions.—Ave Maria.—Tagalian merriness.—Condiman.—Lunatic Asylum.—Gigantic serpent thirty-two years old.—Departure.—Chinese pilots.—First glimpse of the coasts of the Celestial Empire.—The Lemmas Channel.—Arrival in Hong-kong Harbour.
Luzon, or Manila, the largest and most important island, politically speaking, of the Philippine Archipelago, is the sole possession of the Spanish Crown which was visited by the