MANILLA. 
297 
For music they had a guitar; and I never witnessed a ballet that 
gave me more amusement, or saw a dancer that evinced more grace, 
ease, confidence, and decided talent, than did this little girl. She was 
prettily formed, and was exceedingly admired and applauded by us all 
Her mother considered her education as finished, and looked on with 
all the admiration and fondness of parental affection. 
On inquiry, I found that the idea of teaching her to read and write 
had not yet been entertained. Yet every expense is incurred to teach 
them to use their feet and arms, and to assume the expression of coun¬ 
tenance that will enable them to play a part in the after-scenes of life. 
This manufactory had work engaged for nine months or a year in 
advance. The fabric is extremely expensive, and none but the wealthy 
can afford it. It is also much sought after by foreigners. Even orders 
for Queen Victoria and many of the English nobility were then in 
hand; at least I so heard at Manilla. Those who are actually present 
have, notwithstanding, the privilege of selecting what they wish to pur¬ 
chase ; for, with the inhabitants here, as elsewhere, 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 
vol. v. 38 
