conducted by the latter orders, at the same time warmly commending
their educational work and their pious zeal. The Dominicans are in
charge of the Sangleys, of whose sharp dealings with the Spaniards
Medina complains. Among the mission-fields ceded to the Dominicans
by the Augustinians are the provinces of Pangasinán and Cagayan;
in the latter, the natives frequently revolt against the Spaniards.

Medina extols the magnificence of the churches in Manila, and the
liberality displayed by the faithful in adorning them. This is noted
by foreigners who come to the city, notably the Japanese. The converts
of that nation have witnessed nobly their zeal and holy devotion, for
more than nine hundred have been martyred in Japan for the truth. In
1575, two Augustinians go to China with letters from the governor of
the Philippines, hoping to begin a mission in that country. In this
attempt they are not successful, but they return with much information
regarding China, which until then had been mainly a _terra incognita_.

The city of Manila has made steady progress, and the religious orders
are erecting stone buildings for their convents. At first, they had
built their houses of wood, in the native style, which is described
by our writer. Many houses, both within and without the city, are
now built of stone; but the health of the city is not as good as when
the people lived in wooden houses.

In 1578 Fray Agustín de Alburquerque is elected provincial, and
at once begins to extend the missions of his order--especially in
Pampanga, of which province some description is given. This province,
once so populous, has lost many of its men by conscription for the
Spanish forts, being sent away even to Maluco. It is often raided
by the head-hunting tribes of the interior--something which cannot