312 



MANILLA. 



direction: an idea of its shape will be more readily arrived at from the 

 small map of the environs of Manilla which is annexed. 



ENVIRONS OF MANILLA. 



After dark, the bancas separated. Mr. Sturges, with Dr. Pickering 

 and Mr. Eld, proceeded to visit the mountain of Maijaijai, while 

 Messrs. Rich, Dana, and Brackenridge, went towards the Volcano de 

 Taal. The latter party took the passport, while the former relied 

 upon certain letters of introduction for protection, in case of difficulty. 



Mr. Sturges, with his party, directed his course to the east side of 

 the lake, towards a point called Jalujalu, which they reached about 

 three o'clock in the morning, and stopped for the crew to cook some 

 rice, &c. At 8 a. m., they reached Santa Cruz, situated about half a 

 mile up a small streamlet, called Paxanau. At this place they found 

 Don Escudero, to whom they had a letter of introduction, and who 

 holds a civil appointment. They were very kindly received by this 

 gentleman and his brown lady, with their interesting family. He at 

 once ordered horses for them to proceed to the mission of Maijaijai, 

 and entertained them with a sumptuous breakfast. 



They were not prepared to set out before noon, until which time 

 they strolled about the town of Santa Cruz, the inhabitants of which 

 are Tagalas. There are only two old Spaniards in the place. The 

 province in which Santa Cruz is situated, contains about five thousand 

 inhabitants, of whom eighteen hundred pay tribute. 



