at one end, and smoke from the other, holding it
between the teeth or lips, as done with a pipe.
One rarely meets women in the streets, particularly
mestizes, without a segar in the mouth.
The men, who are in quest of intrigues, have one
likewise, but always extinguished ; when they meet
a woman who pleases them, they stop her, and ask
permission to light their segar ; the woman, without
any ceremony, takes the segar and lights it by
means of her own. During this time they enter
into a conversation, which the woman may continue
as long or as short as she pleases. This is evinced
by the longer or shorter time she takes to light
the segar.
“ The preachers declaim much against this custom,
but all to no purpose. Moreover, I am inclined
to believe, that at the Confessional all matters
of this sort, and others which I refrain from
mentioning, are treated very lightly, in proof of
which, I may add, that at Manilla it is not uncommon
to see the priests themselves have children.
I there knew a priest, a very regular, and mighty
good ecclesiastic, who had two; they were girls of
seventeen and eighteen years of age, pretty, and
well made ; they were in a convent, and came
sometimes to see their father. It was at his own
house that I saw them, and made this discovery.
“ The inquisition, as I have said, leaves the
inhabitants of Manilla to themselves in all matters
ef this sort; and if one does not offend the monks;
if one wear a scapulary, a rosary round the neck ;
if one counts it morning and evening, and goes to
mass twice a-day, he is excused at Manilla on many
points. This is about all the exterior form of
worship of the inhabitants.
« The fast during Lent, and at other times, ordained
by the church, is, moreover, not very strict
at Manilla, for they breakfast, dine, lunch, and sup.
“ This custom surprised me in a singular manner
at my arrival; I thought it could only take place
at the houses of persons little scrupulous, but I
was not long without discovering that the practice
was universal.
« I usually passed my evenings at the house of
the Father Don Estevan Roxas y Melo. Every
house in Manilla has, in the evening, its company
or society, which they call tertulia. The canon
Melo had his ; it was well selected ; the commissary
of the inquisition was often there. I soon
learnt sufficient Spanish to take a part in the conversation,
and to reply to the questions that were
proposed to me, as to our manners and customs.
About six in the evening, they sound the Angelus
at the same time in all the churches. The cathedral
commences, and at the same moment all the
churches repeat it. Every one then repeats the
Angelus ; passengers are then obliged to stop in the
.street, at the spot they happen to be in,. to recite