Ch. XVIII.] MOEAL EFFECTS. 301 



pense ; but which in a moment finds itself, by a convulsion 

 of nature, suddenly paralysed and laid prostrate — crowds of 

 its busy inhabitants hurried to sudden destruction, their 

 houses toppling down, and the churches and public build- 

 ings, the pride of their city, reduced to a mere shapeless 

 mass of ruins. StiU more hopeless and distressiag must be 

 the feeling that, repair and renovate howsoever they may, 

 safety and security have departed for ever — they know not 

 the moment when the earth may open and swallow them up 

 in a more wide-spread and general destruction. The time 

 may be near, or it may be far off; but it is so far inevitable 

 that though a false security may lull the inhabitants into 

 forgetfulness of the past, it can never inspire them with 

 energy, or give them confidence in the future. 



But the people of Manilla seem lighthearted enough, and 

 the streets are thronged and busy. Smart carriages and 

 pairs clatter along in the evening, full of gay occupants bent 

 on enjoying a drive in the Calzada, which extends three 

 miles along the beach, and which is crowded on fine even- 

 ings, particularly on band nights, when they aU alight, and 

 for two or three hours walk upon a weU-lighted, spacious, 

 and elevated promenade, listening to the strains of military 

 music — the ladies with fans and mantillas, after the approved 

 Spanish fashion, and the gentlemen universally smoking the 

 native cheroot. 



It is very amusing to see the passion which exists among 

 the Manilla people for cock-fighting. I will not say that 

 half the population go about with a game-cock under their 

 arm ■ but it is a most common occurrence to see a man thus 

 burdened, or accompanied. The cocks are very handsome 

 birds often of very pure breed, and seem quite at home, in 

 town or country, tucked under the arm of their masters (who 



