aniards and friars in the convento
was attracted by strains of music from a surging multitude
which, with the noise of bombs and rockets, preceded by
the leading citizens of the town, came to the convento to
escort us to the place prepared and arranged for us that we
might witness the spectacle. Such a courteous offer we had to
accept, although I should have preferred to rest in the arms
of Morpheus and repose my weary limbs, which were aching,
thanks to the joltings of the vehicle furnished us by the
gobernadorcillo of B----.

"Accordingly we joined them and proceeded to look for our
companions, who were dining in the house, owned here by the
pious and wealthy Don Santiago de los Santos. The curate of
the town, the Very Reverend Fray Bernardo Salvi, and the Very
Reverend Fray Damaso Verdolagas, who is now by the special
favor of Heaven recovered from the suffering caused him by
an impious hand, in company with the Very Reverend Fray
Hernando Sibyla and the virtuous curate of Tanawan, with
other Spaniards, were guests in the house of the Filipino
Croesus. There we had the good fortune of admiring not only
the luxury and good taste of the host, which are not usual
among the natives, but also the beauty of the charming
and wealthy heiress, who showed herself to be a polished
disciple of St. Cecelia by playing on her elegant piano,
with a mastery that recalled Galvez to me, the best German
and Italian compositions. It is a matter of regret that such
a charming young lady should be so excessively modest as to
hide her talents from a society which has only admiration
for her. Nor should I leave unwritten that in the house
of our host there were set before us champagne and fine
liqueurs with the profusion and splendor that characterize
the well-known capitalist.

"We attended the spectacle. You already know our artists,
Ratia, Carvajal, and Fernandez, whose cleverness was
comprehended by us alone, since the uncultured crowd did
not understand a jot of it. Chananay and Balbino were very
good, though a little hoarse; the latter made one break,
but together, and as regards earnest effort, they were
admirable. The Indians were greatly pleased with the Tagalog
drama, especially the gobernadorcillo, who rubbed his hands
and informed us that it was a pity that they had n