276 
MANILLA. 
for much of the information that will be detailed ;n 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 English 
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 con¬ 
trast to this luxuriant scenery, bearing evident marks of decay, particu¬ 
larly 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 convenience of com¬ 
merce, 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, batteaux 
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, however, kept this anchorage, 
and rode out these storms in safety; but native as well as Spanish 
vessels, seek at these times the port of Cavite, about three leagues to 
the southwest, at the entrance of the bay, which is perfectly secure. 
