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MANILLA. 



taken in the breeding of game fowls, which are very large and heavy 

 birds. They are armed with a curved double-edged gaff. The 

 exhibitions are usually crowded with half-breeds or mestizoes, who 

 are generally more addicted to gambling than either the higher or 

 lower classes of Spaniards. It would not be an unapt designation to 

 call the middling class cock-fighters, for their whole lives seem to be 



MANILLA COSTUMES. 



taken up with the breeding and fighting of these birds. On the exit 

 from a cockpit, I was much amused with the mode of giving the 

 return check, which was done hy a stamp on the naked arm, and 

 precludes the possibility of its transfer to another person. The dress 

 of the lower order of females is somewhat civilized, yet it bore so 

 strong a resemblance to that of the Polynesians as to recall the latter 

 to our recollection. A long piece of coloured cotton is wound round 

 the body, like the pareu, and tucked in at the side : this covers the 

 nether limbs ; and a jacket fitting close to the body is worn, without a 

 shirt. In some, this jacket is ornamented with work around the neck ; 

 it has no collar, and in many cases no sleeves and over this a richly 

 embroidered cape. The feet are covered with slippers, with wooden 

 soles, which are kept on by the little toe, only four toes entering the 

 slipper, and the little one being on the outside. The effect of both 

 costumes is picturesque. 



