painted by some one of that nation, calling himself an artist.  From appearances, however, I should think they were composed by the priests, who have not a little taxed their invention to find out the different modes in which a man can be put to death.  Many evidently, if not all, had been invented for the pictures.  So perplexed had they apparently been, that in one of the last it was observed that the executioner held his victim at arms’ length by the heels, and was about to let him drop headforemost into a well.  From the galleries we passed into the library, and thence into many of the rooms, and finally we mounted to the top of the monastery, which affords a beautiful view of the bay, city, and suburbs.  There I was presented to three of the friars, who were pleasant and jolly-looking men.  Upon the roof was a kind of observatory, or look-out, simply furnished with billiard-tables and shuffleboards, while the implements for various other games lay about on small tables, with telescopes on stands, and comfortable arm-chairs.  It was a place where the friars put aside their religious and austere character or appearance, and sought amusement.  It was a delightful spot, so far as coolness and the freshness of the sea air were concerned, and its aspect gave me an insight behind the curtain of these establishments that very soon disclosed many things I was ignorant of before.  All the friars were of a rotund form, and many of them bore the marks of good living in their full, red, and bloated faces.  It seems to be generally understood at Manila, that they live upon the fat of the land.  We visited several of the rooms, and were warmly greeted by the padres, one of whom presented me with a meteorological table for the previous year.

The revenues of all these religious establishments are considerable; the one I visited belonged to the Dominicans, and was very rich.  Their revenues are principally derived from lands owned by them, and the tithes from the different districts which they have under their charge, to which are added many alms and gifts.  On inquiry, I found their general character was by no means thought well of, and they had of late years lost much of the influence that they possessed before the revolution in the mother country.

Among the inhabitants we saw here, was a native boy of the Igorots, or mountain tribe.  He is said to be a true Negrito. (Another confusion of facts.—­C.)

[Mountaineers.] The Spaniards, as has been stated, have never been able to subdue this tribe, who are said to be still as wild as on their first landing; they are confined almost altogether to the plains within or near the mountains, and from time to time make inroads in great force on the outer settlements, carrying off as much plunder as possible.  The burden of this often causes them to be overtaken by the troops.  When overtaken, they fight desperately, and were it not for the fire-arms of their adversaries, would give them much trouble.  Few are captured