or Iowa. Dr. Brinton says that the Tagala is brownish-yellow in color, of moderate stature, with skull mesocephalic and symmetrical. The cheek bones are prominent, the nasal bridge low, the nostrils prominent, and the eyes narrow, not oblique, but slightly drooping at the inner canthus. The hair is black, smooth, straight, and thick. The mouth is large, the lips full, and the chin short and round. This description applies in its general outlines to the whole Malayan population of the archipelago. These people have a great many interesting Dr. Brinton makes four main qualifications. First, the mixed tribes of northern Luzon, who, though of essentially Malay stock, have absorbed some Negrito blood. Although most of them are Christianized, according to Spanish authorities, they are only superficially affected by European ideas of religion and civilization. The Tagalas, who are encountered at Manila and inhabit most of the central and southern parts of Luzon, are the leading Filipino race and are the most highly developed. According to Spanish authorities, these people are as universally well instructed as those of Massachusetts and admirable qualities, and under good government and wise direction ought to become highly prosperous and contented. Although they are, upon the whole, good farmers and faithful workers, they are a light-hearted people, exceedingly fond of music and of the sports that are characteristic of them as a people, chief of which is cock-fighting. In a general way the people known as Visayas are similar to the Tagalas. The Visayas have their headquarters at the second great seaport of the archipelago-namely, Iloilo-and they spread through the considerable island of Panay and NATIVE CAKE AND FRUIT SELLER. A GROUP OF NEGRITOS, ISLAND OF LUZON. tained from Madrid. Its author, Señor Juan Caro y Mora, had derived his acquaintance with Philippine affairs from a long residence at Manila in the capacity of editor of the La Voz Española (The Spanish Voice). Señor Caro wrote his book apropos of the Philippine insurrection under Rizal and Aguinaldo, but previous to the outbreak of the war between Spain and the United States. This chapter on the characteristics of the Philippine people was written for the enlightenment of the Spaniards at home in Spain, and with no thought of its ever being seen by any but Spanish readers. That very. fact, as it seems to us, lends an added value to certain parts of it as testimony. It would hardly be safe, however, to rely upon Señor Caro as a thoroughly competent authority upon the world's educational systems. His statements respecting the universality of elementary education among the millions of Filipinos are extremely hard to believe. Yet the whole tenor of his book shows sincerity of purpose, and there has been no willful perversion of the truth. That the Jesuits, who now maintain a normal school in Manila, have done a great deal to improve the quality of instruction is not to be doubted. THE THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. BY SEÑOR JUAN CARO Y MORA, OF MANILA. HE subject of the indigenous population of the Philippine Islands is one on which it is quite easy to go astray, and upon which the most antithetical judgments are formed according to the opposite criteria with which it may be examined. In speaking of the natives there are many who mix and confound them all together, without making any distinction between the lower un`polished element and the upper or better-educated classes. General opinions, favorable or unfavorable, as the case may be, are hastily formulated and are applied to all, so that we hear the Indian frequently spoken of as a problem and a combination of the most contradictory qualities. We do not deny that the study of a race is difficult and complex. Even in Europe, where means for observation are abundant, how many contradictions and extravagant assertions have been made, even by authors of note, on the subject of the Spanish character and habits, to say nothing of other nations! But in the present case, by following the laws of induction we shall arrive at the truth as nearly as we possibly can. The indigenous Filipino possesses fundamental, rudimentary instruction (what we agree in call (With his umbrella-bearer, cup-bearer, candlestick-bearer, sword-bearer, and other retainers and warrior chiefs.) THREE DATOS" (NATIVE CHIEFS) OF COTTABATTE, MINDANAO. (Who had accepted office as local governors under Spanish suzerainty. The gold-headed cane was the symbol of office given by the Spanish authorities.) ing primary instruction) in, perhaps, as much or greater perfection than any other people in the world. He shows himself desirous of learning, and the immense majority of the natives can read, write, and figure. He knows the rudiments of religion and morality, and shows a happy disposition to acquire that general tint of superficial culture which is all that the great mass of laboring people can aspire to anywhere in the world. On this point statistics furnish us éloquent and irrefutable data. The number who cannot write is very small, including the women, and the number is much less of those who have not learned to read, while those who lack at least the most fundamental and necessary religious and moral instruction are very rare indeed. The correctness of this observation may be proved if the first native one meets, even in the most remote sections, should be questioned, or, what would be still easier, by examining recruits in the army, who are drawn usually from the poorest masses of the people. |