On inquiry, I found that the idea of teaching her to read and write had not yet been entertained.  Yet every expense is incurred to teach them to use their feet and arms, and to assume the expression of countenance that will enable them to play a part in the afterscenes of life.

This manufactory had work engaged for nine months or a year in advance.  The fabric is extremely expensive, and none but the wealthy can afford it.  It is also much sought after by foreigners.  Even orders for Queen Victoria and many of the English nobility were then in hand; at least I so heard at Manila.  Those who are actually present have, notwithstanding, the privilege of selecting what they wish to purchase; for, with the inhabitants here, as elsewhere, ready money has too much attraction for them to forego the temptation.

Time in Manila seems to hang heavily on the hands of some of its inhabitants; their amusements are few, and the climate ill adapted to exertion.  The gentlemen of the higher classes pass their morning in the transaction of a little public business, lounging about, smoking, etc.  In the afternoon, they sleep, and ride on the Prado; and in the evening, visit their friends, or attend a tertulia.  The ladies are to be pitied; for they pass three-fourths of their time in deshabille, with their maids around them, sleeping, dressing, lolling, and combing their hair.  In this way the whole morning is lounged away; they neither read, write, nor work.  In dress they generally imitate the Europeans, except that they seldom wear stockings, and go with their arms bare.  In the afternoon they ride on the Prado in state, and in the evening accompany their husbands.  Chocolate is taken early in the morning, breakfast at eleven, and dinner and supper are included in one meal.

Mothers provide for the marriage of their daughters; and I was told that such a thing as a gentleman proposing to any one but the mother, or a young lady engaging herself, is unknown and unheard of.  The negotiation is all carried forward by the mother, and the daughter is given to any suitor she may deem a desirable match.  The young ladies are said to be equally disinclined to a choice themselves, and if proposals were made to them, the suitor would be at once referred to the mother.  Among the lower orders it is no uncommon thing for the parties to be living without the ceremony of marriage, until they have a family and no odium whatever is attached to such a connexion.  They are looked upon as man and wife, though they do not live together; and they rarely fail to solemnize their union when they have accumulated sufficient property to procure the requisite articles for housekeeping.