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 



