September 27, 1865, and which
did much damage at Manila, driving seventeen vessels ashore.

* * * * *

[Provinces and districts.] The Philippines are divided into provinces
(P), and districts (D), each of which is administered by an alcalde of
the 1st (A1), 2nd (A2), or 3rd class (A3) (de termino, de ascenso, de
entrada); by a political and military governor (G), or by a commandant
(C). In some provinces an alcalde of the 3rd class is appointed as
coadjutor to the governor. These divisions are frequently changed.

[Population.] The population is estimated approximately at about
five millions.

[Language and dialects.] In spite of the long possessions of the
Islands by the Spaniards their language has scarcely acquired any
footing there. A great diversity of languages and dialects prevails;
amongst them the Bisayan, Tagalog, Ilocano, Bicol, Pangasinan, and
Pampangan are the most important.

[Luzon Provinces and their languages and populations.]

Island of Luzon

Rank of Rank of Name Prevailing Population Pueblos
Official District Dialect

G. P. Abra Ilocano 34,337 5
A1. P. Albay Bicol 330,121 34
A2. P. Bataan Tagalog,
Pampangan 44,794 10
A1. P. Batangas Tagalog 280,100
D. Benguet Igorot,
Ilocano,
Pangasinan 8,465
D. Bontoc Suflin,
Ilocano,
Igorot 7,052
A1. P. Bulacan Tagalog 240,341 23
A1. P. Cagayan Ibanag,
Itanes,
Idayan,
Gaddan,
Ilocano,
Dadaya,
Apayao,
Malaneg 64,437 16
A2. P. Camarines Norte Tagalog,
Bicol 25,372 7
A2(?) P. Camarines Sur Bicol 81,047 31
A3. P. Cavit