294 MANILLA. 



remained. To this gentleman and Mr. Sturges I am greatly indebted 

 for much of the information that will be detailed in the following 

 chapter. 



A number of vessels were lying in the roads, among which were 

 several Americans loading with hemp. There was also a large Eng- 

 lish East Indiaman, manned by Lascars, whose noise rendered her 

 more like a floating Bedlam than any thing else to which I can liken it. 



The view of the city and country around Manilla partakes both of 

 a Spanish and an Oriental character. The sombre and heavy-looking 

 churches, with their awkward towers; the long lines of batteries 

 mounted with heavy cannon; the massive houses, with ranges of 

 balconies ; and the light and airy cottage, elevated on posts, situated 

 in the luxuriant groves of tropical trees, — all excite a desire to become 

 better acquainted with the country. 



Manilla is situated on an extensive plain, gradually swelling into 

 distant hills, beyond which, again, mountains rise in the background, 

 to the height of several thousand feet. The latter are apparently 

 clothed with vegetation to their summits. The city is in strong 

 contrast to this luxuriant scenery, bearing evident marks of decay, 

 particularly in the churches, whose steeples and tile roofs have a 

 dilapidated look. The site of the city does not appear to have been 

 well chosen, it having apparently been selected entirely for the con- 

 venience of commerce, and the communication that the outlet of the 

 lake affords for the batteaux that transport the produce from the 

 shores of the Laguna de Bay to the city. 



There are many arms or branches to this stream, which have been 

 converted into canals ; and almost any part of Manilla may now be 

 reached in a banca. 



In the afternoon, in company with Captain Hudson, I paid my first 

 visit to Manilla. The anchorage considered safest for large ships 

 is nearly three miles from the shore, but smaller vessels may lie 

 much nearer, and even enter the canal ; a facility of which a number 

 of these take advantage, to accomplish any repairs they may have 

 occasion to make. 



The canal, however, is generally filled with coasting vessels, bat- 

 teaux from the lake, and lighters for the discharge of the vessels 

 lying in the roads. The bay of Manilla is safe, excepting during the 

 change of the monsoons, when it is subject to the typhoons of the 

 China seas, within whose range it lies. These blow at times with 

 much force, and cause great damage. Foreign vessels have, how- 



