THE PLANT WORI.D 167 



own name before the first day of July, 1900, unless prevented from doing 

 so by physical disability. 



" 2. The signature must be plain and legible, suitable for use when 

 required in legal documents or commercial transactions, and must be 

 without ornamentation, scroll or other rubrical decoration. 



' 3. Any citizen may procure from the Government a suitable sample 

 of his or her written name for use as a copy to be imitated in practice 

 and instruction. 



"4. All residents are recommended to utilize every available oppor- 

 tunity to learn how to read, write and speak the English language, thereby 

 improving their own mental condition as well as preparing themselves 

 for assisting their children, who are required by law to attend school. 



Generai, Order \ 

 "No. 12. J 



" 1 . The system of Public Education in this island is hereby placed 

 under the supervision and exclusive control of the Government, and all 

 necessary expenses for the maintenance of the public schools will be 

 defrayed by the Government. 



"2. Religious instruction in favor of any particular church or creed 

 is prohibited and all religious training heretofore required by the late 

 school customs or rules must be eliminated from the course of instruction, 

 as the proper place for religious teaching is the home-circle, church, chapel 

 or Sunday school. 



"3. All children between the ages of eight years and fourteen years 

 must attend school, unless excused therefrom by competent authority for 

 good reasons that interfere with their attendance. 



' ' 4. Instruction in the English language will be introduced in the public 

 schools as soon as suitable teachers can be provided, and it is expected 

 that the present force of native teachers will cheerfully and harmoniously 

 co-operate with the teachers of English in order that the greatest benefits 

 may be derived by both scholars and preceptors." 



Siinday, February 4. — With Don Jose Herrero for a walk over the hills 

 back of Agaiia. As we were going up the road toward my ranch a little 

 boy came running up to Don Jose and tried to kiss his hand, saying ' 'Man, 

 senor,^'' an abbreviation for "l kiss your hand, sir." Don Jose, my 

 friend of the funny stories and the jolly fiddler, immediately assumed an 

 air of dignity and, making the sign of the cross in the air, said : ''Dios 

 te ayude y te litre de todo malo / " (May God aid thee and deliver thee 

 from all evil.) Then turning to me in a half -apologetic manner he said : 



You see, seiior, these young people about here look upon me as a father. ' ' 

 With all his gaiety, Don Jose is deeply pious. On reaching a cross on the 

 top of the hill he uncovered his head and repeated the little prayer : 



" Adoro te, santa Cruz, puesto en Monte Calvario, 

 Donde muri6 mi Jesus, de manos y pies clavados." 



Don Jose then told me that on the spot where we were standing there 

 used to grow a great nunu (banyan tree). It was thought to be a resort 



