238 
MANILLA. 
broidered petticoat, wrapped round the waist. Their long black 
hair was worn in a knot on the back of the head, or partially con- 
cealed by a transparent handkerchief, of the manufacture of the 
country, which was fastened above the forehead and allowed to 
flow freely over the back of the head. Their slippers, worked with 
silver or gold thread, being unconfined to their feet, caused a 
kind of sliding walk. The dress of the men consisted of a pair 
of pantaloons and a loose shirt, of the cloth of the country, which 
descended below the knees, and had a stiff worked collar ; and was 
rendered unbecoming by a large round straw hat with a very high 
and wide crown. 
The whole crowd of equestrians and pedestrians was pressing 
anxiously forward to meet the procession, when the bell of an ad- 
joining convent proclaimed the hour of sun-set. In a moment 
every foot paused, and every sound was hushed. Looking around, 
we saw every head uncovered and every person wrapped in silent 
prayer. The bell ceased, and all again moved on, and seemed to 
resume their interrupted trains of thought. In a few minutes the 
flashing of torches announced the approach of the procession. The 
image of the Virgin, enthroned in a canopy of flowers mingled with 
tinsel, which reflected the light of tapers borne by attendant monks 
in robes of white and grey, was the only object which I could 
distinctly observe. My imagination went back to the processions 
which I had so lately seen in China at funerals and marriage festi- 
vals; and I could not but regret that the ministers of the pure 
religion of Christ, and those of the vilest idolatry which disgraces 
human nature, should endeavour by like methods to influence the 
minds of the people. Turning away, we walked towards the shore; 
and on our road partook of some refreshment at a small shop kept 
by three Indian girls who seemed not a little surprised at seeing 
persons of the apparent rank of their visitors on foot ; for in Manilla 
a pedestrian of respectability is an uncommon spectacle. 
The next morning His Excellency, accompanied by his suite, 
