MANILLA. 
233 
tration, and during the harvest, we were informed 
by the officials who accompanied us, the greatest 
care and supervision are necessary to prevent the 
best leaves of the crop being carried off by the 
employes. After the gathering in from the plan- 
tations the leaves are at first placed in heaps under 
cover to ferment, then sorted according to size and 
quality and allowed to dry ; finally reaching the 
manufactory, where they are made into cigars as we 
saw them. 
The city is situated in a rich and fertile district, 
in the midst of magnificent scenery, splendid alike 
in form and colour, but, like every town in these 
islands, has one great enemy to dread — earthquake, 
which has from time to time made frightful ravages 
in this city, evidences of which are seen at the present 
time in the ruins of churches, cathedrals, and public 
buildings. 
On the 11th November our visit came to an end, 
and we proceeded out of the harbour under steam. 
Before clearing the land, we had all the prospects of a 
rough passage before us. At the best of times the 
China Seas are anything but calm, but now we had 
the full force of the monsoon against us ; and the wild 
cross waves breaking on our bows tossed us about 
with great violence, to the destruction of crockery and 
furniture, until nearing the coast, wdien it moderated 
sufficiently for us to have a few hauls with the trawl 
with satisfactory results. The 16th November, Vic- 
