8o M. DE GUIGNEs’ OBSERVATIONS ON

officiate in the different pariffi churches are the Auguftins, Francifcans, and bare-footed Carmelites .

On afcending the river from the town, a number of country houfes are feen on itsbanks, with each a bath on the margin of the river inclofed with matting. To thefeduring the prevalence of hot weather the wealthy inhabitants of Manila much refort:both men and women bathe together, but for the fake of decency the men wear drawers,and the women a wide fliift.

Two miles above the town is the royal hofpital. On advancing higher fomeold houfes are feen almoft level with the ground ; for the Engliffi after taking Manila ,not being able to quit the city without expofing themfelves to be {hot by the Indians,entrenched in thefe dwellings, to remedy the inconvenience reduced them to the ftatein which they have continued to the prefent time.

The garden of the Philippine Company is likewife out of the town ; it is muchnegle&ed, and no longer exhibits any of the rare trees or plantations of mulberries itonce poffeffed. In the mid ft. a monument, refembling a fountain more than a rnaufo-leum, is erected in memory of Mr. Pineda, who died in the expedition of M. de Ma-lefpina: it is furrounded by four enormous termini, works furely of no utility in agarden.

At fome diftance from Malati, a village fituate near the bay, and a league diftant fromManila , the Spaniards have conftructed a polverijla , or powder magazine. This littlefort is in a very unfit pofition ; for, being too far from the town to be fuccoured,it could readily be taken by an enemy who fhould effect a defcent, to whom it would beof confiderable fervice.

Mr. D’Aguilar, a governor of the Philippines when 1 was there, being apprehenfiveof an attack on the part of the Engliffi, caufed a canal to be cut from near the polveriftacommunicating with the river, fo as to allow gun-boats to enter the bay, and leave itwithout danger, or to feek ffielter under the jetties which protect the entrance. Inconfiructing the canal * the wild palm was ufed (palma brava) : the wood of this treeis hollow, hard, tough, and very durable in water : it is likewife ufed for making thegutters which furround the houfes, and conduct the rain water into the cifterns, withwhich almoft every houfe in Manila is provided.

PORT OF CAVITE.

This port lies three leagues fouth of Manila . Veffels take refuge in it during thefouth weft monfoon; and return to anchor in front of the city in the feafon whenwinds from the north and north-eaft are prevalent.

The town of Cavite is fmall, and ftands on a tongue of land ; it has but one fuburb,called San Roch. The fort is built at the extremity of the town; it is weak, andcould not hold out againft a veffel of war. In doubling the point, attention ffiould bepaid not to keep too near, as there is a ffioal in its vicinage. The Spaniards have anarfenal at Cavite, and here it is that large merchant ffiips are built.

BAY OF MANILA.

The Bay of Manila, being every way eight leagues over, the depth of it is likewifegreat. The margin is partly covered with wood, and partly with villages. The ifland©f the Corregidor is at the entrance of the bay ; hence it is that figmls are made on

* Probably for fupporting the banks.

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veffels