118 A VISIT TO THE LNM>[AN ARCHIPELAGO. 



passes and numerous islets. We went on wontTering 

 and admiring, until we reacliod our friend's residence in 

 tJie vicinity of a largo and flourishing^ village. To our 

 great disappointment be was absent from home, having 

 gone on a visit to the Puehio of San Francisco, a pro- 

 vincial town about ten miles off at the extremity of 

 the lake. We managed to make his " Major Domo " under- 

 stand oiir wants; whereupon be unlocked the doors, 

 kicked out the dogs, and made us comfortable with a 

 hot breakfast. After this he provided ub with a guide 

 to the snmniit of a hill in the vicmitj, commanding an 

 ext^^nsive view. On our way thither wo passed through 

 the village, which is approached by pleasant lane^ 

 sheltered from the sun by hedges of bambon, the ends 

 of wliichj gi'acefullj inclining inwards, formed an arch 

 overhead. The houses were dean and well-builtj with 

 white walls and neatly-thatclied roofs : the streets are 

 built at right angles ; and there is, after the common 

 Ml ion of Spanish towns, a plaza^ or square, in the centre. 



" The inhabitants, who are of a mixed breed between 

 the Spanish and Indians, appeared entirely agiicultural 

 in their pursuits and resources : they send their produce 

 by canoes to Manilla- 



" The low-land, between the village and the hills at 

 the back, was drained and highly cultivated. The com 

 fields were generally fringed with groves of cocoa-nut 

 trees, affording a vei-y pleasant and necessary retreat 

 from the noonday sun. 



