Proposed Improvement of Navigation hj the Lagune. 331 



sions, that even on a clear day it is impossible, from the 

 entrance, to see the coast on the further side, much less, of 

 course, in the wretched rainy weather which stuck by us 

 throughout our trip. Nevertheless, it is far inferior in size 

 to the great lakes of North America. Its greatest breadth is 

 little more than 30 miles.* All around the fertile shores of 

 this charming lake nestle little villages, and the daily inter- 

 course with the capital is so extensive that a steam-boat 

 company would pay well. TVliile on the one hand the 

 Colonial Government objects to the expense of entering upon 

 an undertaldng so important for developing the general trade, 

 engineers, on the other hand, have for the last 14 years 

 been busily engaged projecting the immense work of 

 connecting the Lagune with the ocean by means of a canal, 

 in such manner as would enable ships aj^proaching Luzon 

 from the southwards to reach Manila easily, and with great 

 saving in time, instead of having to sail all round the island. 

 This short cut through the tongue of land would, it may 

 well be supposed, be in other respects of incalculable bene- 

 fit for the country, for the shipping and for trade generally, 

 especially were the execution of this splendid project to be 

 carried out hand in hand with a liberal policy, that should 

 shake off that despotism which at present weighs like a 

 mountain upon every sort of intellectual and political activity. 



* According to Buzeta the Lagoon is 36 Spanish leagues in circumference, by an 

 average depth of 15 to 16 hrazos (fathoms). While thirteen rivers of various di- 

 mensions flow into the lake, the Pasig alone issues from it, to carry off its waters 

 to the sea. 



