118 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



E A S T I N D I A N S. 



a. Luzon. 



On the 8th of January, 1842, the Vincennes reached the Bashee 

 Islands, near the northern end of Luzon : and at the same time, an 

 English bark in the distance, proved a cheering spectacle, after the 

 lapse of twenty months without finding the ocean enlivened by a 

 sail. The islands were high and broken, and one of them was suffi- 

 ciently elevated to be cloud-capped. We passed the nearest of the 

 group, at the distance of about four miles, and were surprised at its 

 barren appearance ; for it had a general brownish tint, and seemed 

 altogether unwooded. 



Even the western coast of Luzon, bore an unexpected resemblance 

 to California ; and we saw only openings and scattered trees, nothing 

 like a continuous forest, until we had proceeded as far south as the 

 vicinity of Manila. The armed government launch boarded us in 

 the bay ; and afforded the opportunity of recognising in the crew, the 

 identity in race with the Polynesians. There was, however, an ex- 

 pression of countenance, that betokened education in the midst of 

 more refinement: and also, a striking diminution in stature; for in 

 common with the other East Lidians, they fell decidedly below the 

 average size of Europeans. The predominance of blue in the dress, 

 reminded us that we were now in the re^rion of indigo. 



On landing, the soldiers were found to be all natives ; the officers, 

 in general Spanish, though sometimes of mixed descent. The troops 

 were all in uniform; and the discipline was European, and highly 

 commended ; together with the music by native performers. " As 

 there are sectional animosities, besides the four or five languages 

 spoken at the Philippines, advantage could be taken of all these cir- 

 cumstances in the detail of the service." 



It was interesting to observe the numbers of brow^n ladies riding in 

 carriasres : while in intelligence and refinement of manners, so far as 

 one may judge without a knowledge of the language, many of them 

 did not suffer by comparison with Europeans. It appeared, how- 

 ever, " that these persons were mostly intermarried with Spaniards, or 

 were more or less of mixed Spanish parentage." It was further said, 



