A Manilla Girl Waiting for the Ferry
With this issue we present our readers with a colored, engraving of a "Manilla Girl Waiting for the Ferry," the result of a commission given by the proprietors of this joumal to Mr. N. Chevalier previous to his departure for England; Mr. Chevalier accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh, in the Galatea, in, his cruiee among the islands of the Pacific. Among other places visited was Manilla, and there the subject for our, illustration was found. The girl is a fair representative of the Mostizos race, the most numerous and influential portion of the inhabitants of the Phillipines. The mingling of Chinese blood, is observable in all the town populations. The women are generally cleanly in their persons, using the bath frequently, and constantly cleaning and brightening their black and abundant hair.
Bathing is universal, men and women together, the men wear pantaloons, the women cover themselves with a garment which they throw off as they enter the water. No scandal is caused by this custom, and all attempts of the Spanish authorities to interfere with it have failed. The women are proud of their small feet, their walk is graceful but coquettish, they smoke and eat betel, and are given to display a languid liquid eye. They wear gowns of the fabrics of the country, but of late years the colored prints of Manchester and the silks of China have also been introduced. Their under garments are tightened at the
waist, and their equisas have long and wide sleeves, which are turned back, upon the arms, and embroidered more or less costly. The inveterate vices of the country are gambling and cock-fighting. The Indians by law are compelled to keep at least twelve hens and one cock, a very superfluous piece
of legislation, seeing that there is hardly a locality in which there are not more cocks than human inhabitants. These favorites are carried about in the arms of their masters, accompany them everywhere, even to church, and are fastened to a bamboo plug outside while their owners are engaged at their devotions. M. Chevalier in his illustration gives a truthful representation of the dress of a mestizos girl hawking the game poultry from which springs the greatest pleasures of the life of her country people. Her head and figure is sheltered by the broad covering leaf of the areca palm from the rays of a tropical sun, while in the background is a sample of the dwellings inhabited by her class. Bamboo forms the scaffolding, the floors, and the principal woodwork, while the nipa palm, makes the walls and covers the roof.
