(to slam), monte, and so on, all prove the foreign origin of this
terrible plant, which only produces vice, and which has found in the
character of the native a fit soil, cultivated by circumstances.

Along with gambling, which breeds dislike for steady and difficult toil
by its promise of sudden wealth and its appeal to the emotions, with
the lotteries, with the prodigality and hospitality of the Filipinos,
went also, to swell this train of misfortunes, the religious functions,
the great number of fiestas, the long masses for the women to spend
their mornings and the novenaries to spend their afternoons, and
the night, for the processions and rosaries. Remember that lack of
capital and absence of means paralyze all movement, and you will see
how the native has perforce to be indolent for if any money might
remain to him from the trials, imposts and exactions, he would have
to give it to the curate for bulls, scapularies, candles, novenaries,
etc. And if this does not suffice to form an indolent character,
if the climate and nature are not enough in themselves to daze him
and deprive him of all energy, recall then that the doctrines of his
religion teach him to irrigate his fields in the dry season, not by
means of canals but with masses and prayers; to preserve his stock
during an epizootic with holy water, exorcisms and benedictions that
cost five dollars an animal; to drive away the locusts by a procession
with the image of St. Augustine, etc. It is well, undoubtedly, to
trust greatly in God; but it is better to do what one can and not
trouble the Creator every moment, even when these appeals redound
to the benefit of His ministers. We have noticed that the countries
which believe most in miracles are the laziest, just, as spoiled
children are the most ill-mannered. Whether they believe in miracles
to palliate their laziness or they are lazy because they believe in
miracles, we cannot say; but the fact is the Filipinos were much less