Let us see what Father
Murillo says of the good: "They are most clever in any handiwork, not
in inventing but in imitating what they see. They are most beautiful
writers; and there are many tailors and barbers among them. They are
excellent embroiderers, painters, goldsmiths, and engravers, whose
burin has not the like in all the Indias (and I was even about to
pass farther if shame did not restrain me), as is seen clearly in the
many good engravings that they make daily. They are good sculptors,
gilders, and carpenters. They make the water craft of these islands,
the galleys, pataches, and ships of the Acapulco line. They act as
sailors, artillery-men, and divers; for there is scarce an Indian
who cannot swim excellently. They are the under-pilots of these
seas. They are very expert in making bejuquillos, [335] which are
gold chains of a very delicate and exquisite workmanship. They make
hats, petates or rugs, and mats, from palm-leaves, rattan, and nito,
[336] which are very beautiful, and embroidered with various kinds of
flowers and figures. They are remarkable mechanics and puppet-showmen,
and they make complicated mechanisms which, by means of figures, go
through various motions with propriety and accuracy. There are some
jewelers. They make powder, and cast swivel-guns, cannon, and bells. I
have seen them make guns as fine as those of Europa. There are three
printing houses in Manila, and all have Indian workmen. They have great
ability in music. There is no village however small, that has not its
suitable band of musicians for the services of the Church. They have
excellent voices--sopranos, contraltos, tenors, and basses. Almost
all of them can play the harp, and there are many violinists, rebeck,
oboe, and flute players. The most remarkable thing is, that not only
do those whose trade it is make those instruments; but various Indians
make guitars, flutes, harps, and violins, for pleasure, with their
bolos and machetes. And by the mere seeing those instruments played,
they learn them almost without any teaching; and the same thing occurs
in other things. On this account it is said that the Indians have
their understanding in their eyes, since they imitate whatever they
see, by another like it." This is what Father Murillo says; but he
left the most important things in the inkhorn. I will add them here,
as I have heard them affirmed many times by the Spaniards in Cavite,
namely: Who are the men who convey and con