322 MANILLA. 



at the mouth of the river, the fish are taken in nets, suspended by the 

 four corners from hoops attached to a crane, by which they are 

 lowered into the water. The fishing-boats are little better than rafts, 

 and are called saraboas. The wood-cut at the end of this chapter 

 will give a better idea of them. 



The usual passage-boat is termed banca, and is made of a single 

 trunk. These are very much used by the inhabitants. They have a 

 sort of awning to protect the passenger from the rays of the sun ; and 

 being light are easily rowed about, although they are exceedingly 

 uncomfortable to sit in, from the lowness of the seats, and liable to 

 overset, if the weight is not placed near the bottom. The canals 

 offer great facilities for the transportation of burdens ; and the banks 

 of almost all of them are faced with granite. Where the streets cross 

 them, there are substantial stone bridges, which are generally of no 

 more than one arch, so as not to impede the navigation. The barges 

 used for the transportation of produce resemble our canal-boats, and 

 have sliding roofs to protect them from the rain. 



Water, for the supply of vessels, is brought off in large earthen 

 jars. It is obtained from the river, and if care is not taken, the 

 water will be impure ; it ought to be filled beyond the city. Our 

 supply was obtained five or six miles up the river, by a lighter, in 

 which were placed a number of water-casks. It proved excellent. 



The trade of Manilla extends to all parts of the world. A com- 

 parative statement of the exports of 1840 and 1841 will be found in 

 Appendix XII. 



There are many facilities for the transaction of business, as far as 

 the shipment of articles is concerned ; but great difficulties attend 

 the settling of disputed accounts, collecting debts, &c. ; in the way of 

 which the laws passed in 1834 have thrown many obstacles. All 

 commercial business of this kind goes before, first, the Junta de 

 Comercio, and then an appeal to the Tribunal de Comercio. This 

 appeal, however, is merely nominal ; for the same judges preside 

 in each, and they are said to be susceptible of influences that render 

 an appeal to them by honest men at all times hazardous. The opinion 

 of those who have had the misfortune to be obliged to recur to these 

 tribunals is, that it is better to suffer wrong than encounter both the 

 expense and vexation of a resort to them for justice. In the first of 

 these courts the decision is long delayed, fees exacted, and other ex- 

 penses incurred ; and when judgment is at length given, it excites one 

 party or the other to appeal : other expenses accrue in consequence, 



