ide the walls of the city of Manila, and at the extreme
northeast by north section of it, stands the royal chapel, which
has the title of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion [_i.e._, our Lady
of the Incarnation], and contains the most holy sacrament. It is a
very elegant structure, and was founded by Governor Don Sebastian
Hurtado de Corcuera. It is used for the chapel functions of the royal
Audiencia, for the spiritual administration of the royal hospital for
the soldiers of the army, and for their burial. For this last purpose,
the chaplains go without any subordination to the parish church,
wearing the cope, and with cross carried high, through the public
streets to the said royal hospital for the bodies of the deceased
soldiers, which they carry with all manner of solemnity to the royal
chapel, where they are buried. For the above, and so that they may
serve in the chaplaincies of the galleons in this line, and for the
divine worship of the said chapel, the chapel has its chief chaplain,
and a number of royal chaplains, sacristans, and other ministers,
who serve it with great decorum and pomp. This is a rich church, and
is beautifully adorned with altars, reredoses, pulpit, and sacristy;
it has choir, organ, and a goodly band of singers; and rich ornaments,
and sacred vessels of silver and gold--and, in particular, a monstrance
of pure gold, valued at eleven thousand ducados.

Royal hospital

544. Not very far from this royal chapel, and more toward the center
of the city, is the said royal hospital, for the soldiers of the
Manila camp. It has its own chaplain, manager, physician, surgeon,
apothecary, and all the other necessary provisions.

Royal seminary-college of San Phelipe

545. His Majesty asked Don Fausto Cruzat y Gongora, governor of these
islands, by a royal decree of November 28, 1697, to inform him whether
there was or was not a seminary-college for boys in Manila, for the
service of his cathedral church; and that, in case there were not,
he should set about its foundation and building. He was to advise
his Majesty of the expenses necessary for it, and for its necessary
maintenance. The governor reported; and, by another royal decree of
April 28, 1702, the piety of his Catholic Majesty decided upon the
foundation of a royal college in the city of Manila, which should be a
seminary for eight seminarists. The sum necessary for its building and
maintenance was to be appropriated from the funds accu