ported by their incomes (the royal grant from
the tributes), and the order itself must maintain these additional
men. It will become necessary for the order to abandon the missions if
these are to be placed under diocesan control; nor, in such case, can
it do more than sustain its leading convents in the islands. Finally,
the writer presents sketches of some illustrious Recollects who have
labored in the Philippines.

In a rare pamphlet by the Franciscan Bartholome de Letona--bound
in with his Perfecta religiosa (La Puebla, Mexico, 1662)--occurs an
enthusiastic description of the Philippines, which we here present
(in translation and synopsis). He describes the voyage thither,
the location and distribution of the islands; the various provinces
of Luzon; the climate, people, and products; the city of Manila,
which Letona describes as the most cosmopolitan in the world; and the
Chinese Parian. Letona relates the downfall of Venegas (the favorite
of Fajardo), and the achievements of Manrique de Lara; enumerates and
describes the various churches, colleges and seminaries, convents
and hospitals of Manila; and gives a sketch of each of the various
religious orders there, with special attention, of course, to his own,
the Franciscan.

One of the Jesuit documents preserved in the Academia Real de la
Historia, at Madrid, relates in detail the embassy sent to Manila by
the noted Chinese leader Kue-sing (1662) to demand that the Spaniards
submit to his power and pay him tribute. This demand being angrily
refused by the Spaniards, the Chinese in Manila, fearing evil to
themselves, and hearing of their intended expulsion from the islands,
undertake to flee from the Parian and other neighboring settlements,
blindly endeavoring to save their lives. The Jesuit missionary at
Santa Cruz hastens to the governor, to secure pardon for these poor
fugitives; and other priests second his efforts. Meanwhile, the
other Sangleys in the Parian are so terrified that many are drowned
in trying to swim across the river, others commit suicide, and most
of those who remain flee to the hills. The Spaniards in Manila,
in fear of an attack by the Chinese, are ready to slay them all;
and a repetition of the horrors of the Chinese insurrection in 1639
is averted only by the prudence and good sense of Governor Manrique
de Lara, who, with mingled sternness and humanity, calms the fear
of the Chinese and the anger of the Spaniards. Granting protection
to a