The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 40]

320 THE PHILIPPINE-SLANDS [Vol. 40
with any depth. I believe that this is the reason why
there is so little fruit produced from the constant
repetition of sermons; for they are perplexed with
abundant instruction, or else do not understand it.
And although the sermon be very clear, and
preached in their own native language, not one of
them can yet repeat the substance of what he hears,
although he understands it when it is preached.
They are, however, very clever at handiwork, because of their great indifference in everything. On
that account they can play well on all musical instruments; and their inclination for music is very great,
and they make instruments. There are good singers
among them, and these have positions, with a fitting
salary attached, in all the churches, from the
cathedral to the poorest ministry; and thus they are
being trained, from the time when they sing soprano.
They are fond of verses and representations. They
are excellent translators, and can translate a Spanish
comedy with elegance into verses of their own language. And thus, although all, both men and
women, are fond of reading, they are indefatigable
when verses are concerned, and they will act them
out as they read them. Accordingly it results that
they are clever for all things, in whatever duty they
are set; and they would be more so if they were less
lazy, or if their greed for temporal possessions were
greater. On this account, they have always been, are,
and will be poor, without caring for more than the
food of the present day. I do not know whether this
is a special providence of God for these poor
wretches; for when they have a little wealth, as the
vessel is so limited, immediately it swells out and
then they do not know what to do; and, to let it be