MANILLA. 317 



what they wish to purchase; for, with the inhabitants here, as else- 

 where, ready money has too much attraction for them to forego the 

 temptation. 



Time in Manilla seems to hang heavily on the hands of some of its 

 inhabitants; their amusements are few, and the climate ill adapted to' 

 exertion. The gentlemen of the higher classes pass their morning in 

 the transaction of a little public business, lounging about, smoking, 

 &c. In the afternoon, they sleep, and ride on the Prado; and in the 

 evening, visit their friends, or attend a tertulia. The ladies are to be 

 pitied ; for they pass three-fourths of their time in dishabille, with 

 their maids around them, sleeping, dressing, lolling, and combing 

 their hair. In this way the whole morning is lounged away : they 

 neither read, write, nor work. In dress they generally imitate the 

 Europeans, except that they seldom wear stockings, and go with 

 their arms bare. In the afternoon they ride on the Prado in state, 

 and in the evening accompany their husbands. Chocolate is taken 

 early in the morning, breakfast at eleven, and dinner and supper are 

 included in one meal. 



Mothers provide for the marriage of their daughters ; and I was told 

 that such a thing as a gentleman proposing to any one but the mother, 

 or a young lady engaging herself, is unknown and unheard of. The 

 negotiation is all carried forward by the mother, and the daughter is 

 given to any suitor she may deem a desirable match. The young 

 ladies are said to be equally disinclined to a choice themselves, and if 

 proposals were made to them, the suitor would be at once referred to 

 the mother. Among the lower orders it is no uncommon thing for 

 the parties to be living without the ceremony of marriage, until they 

 have a family; and no odium whatever is attached to such a con- 

 nexion. They are looked upon as man and wife, though they do not 

 live together; they rarely fail to solemnize their union when they 

 have accumulated sufficient property to procure the requisite articles 

 for housekeeping. 



Three nights in each week they have music in the plaza, in front 

 of the governor's palace, by the bands of four different regiments, 

 who collect there after the evening parade. Most of the better class 

 resort here, for the pleasure of enjoying it. We went thither to see 

 the people as well as to hear the music. This is the great resort of 

 the haut ton, who usually have their carriages in waiting, and prome- 

 nade in groups backwards and forwards during the time the music is 



VOL. V. 80 



