246 FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE ISLANDS 



some hundred paces from the shore ; to the right 

 and left are fine pahn groves : in the south, a high 

 mountain forms the back-ground; from its summit, 

 hang large spreading trees, which overshade a 

 part of the town, and give it a picturesque ap- 

 pearance. An inconsiderable stream, which flows 

 through the town, supplies the inhabitants with 

 water. The houses, which are constructed in the 

 same manner as in the viHages, form several regu- 

 lar streets. Only seven or eight houses are built 

 of coral stone, which belong either to the govern- 

 ment, as that of the Governor, or to the civil 

 officers. 



On the eastern part of the town is a consider- 

 ably large church, and a convent; the whole clergy 

 consists of two priests, who are natives of Manilla, 

 and descendants from the Malays. It is said that, 

 always after a certain time, generally every twenty 

 years, a violent storm rises in the S. W., which 

 causes the sea to run so high that the town is 

 overflowed, and the inhabitants obliged to fly to 

 the mountains. Only the stone houses are able to 

 resist the fury of the water ; the bamboo cages are 

 all destroyed. Two fortresses of coral stone de- 

 fend the town ; one of them lies on the shore, 

 but has not yet any guns ; the other lies to the 

 west, behind the town, on an eminence, has a few 

 guns, and seems to be built cliiefly to restore tran- 

 quillity in case of a riot ; but as they have no 

 powder, as I was informed by the Go\ ernor, I do 



