Hong Kong continuing sickly; two or three funerals daily. The breaking-up of fresh building ground, I believe, the cause. The Plenipo’s nephew, Major Pottinger, supposed to be dying. [Sidenote: Nov. 16.] Signalled at dinner-time to go to Macao. [Sidenote: Nov. 17.] Anchored early. Saluted French Commodore Roy in _L’Erigone_, 46. Friends Lindsay and Co. took me in. [Sidenote: Dec. 1.] Returned to Hong Kong. Quite cold; fires pleasant. Am to accompany Admiral to Manila. [Sidenote: Dec. 4.] Weighed from Macao and joined both Admirals off the Ladrones. Beat them sailing, to my satisfaction. At noon Rear-Admiral got permission to part company. [Sidenote: Dec. 6.] Blowing fresh. Both sails and ropes much worn. Dockyard stores short. [Sidenote: Dec. 8.] Weather finer. Admiral signalled for me to dine at 3 P.M. Same time sent me to examine strange sail, sixteen miles to leeward. She proved to be the _Duchess of Gordon_, from Macao, bound to Manila. Rejoined Admiral during the night. [Sidenote: Dec. 9.] Signal to dine with Admiral at 4 P.M. No stranger in sight! After dinner directed to proceed to Manila. [Sidenote: Dec. 11.] Daylight, anchored off Manila. Put up with Richardson. Called on Governor, with letter from Commander-in-Chief, and officials, and returned at night to be ready to receive Admiral. Much taken with the wonderful vegetation stretching from shore as far as the eye can reach. Admiral, accompanied by Lord Saltoun, Cunynghame, and Hope Grant, landed at noon, under a salute of 21 guns. What an opportunity for me to see the capital of the Philippines! They were received by the Teniente del Rey and el Mayor de la Plaza, and escorted by cavalry, guards of soldiers to any extent, also a military band, showing the cordial feeling which existed between us. The city is divided into two parts by a river, and fortified on all sides. “Orang” is the term used by all peoples of the great Eastern Archipelago, prefixed to the different races. The residents of the Spanish Settlements called themselves after the high-sounding name of Orang Castillia. Malays use the term “Orang Puteh” (white man) for the English only. Nothing could exceed the courtesy and kindness with which the Spanish authorities, as well as the English and other merchants, treated us. [Sidenote: Dec. 14.] Visited the Government tobacco factory, and saw 3000 or more native women manufacturing cheroots. We then went to the _pina_ manufactory, a beautifully fine but expensive fabric, made from pine-apple fibre, silky and delicately dyed. We saw the _pina_ dress ordered by the great Parsee, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, to be sent home to the Queen. It cost $3000, and it took thirty or forty women to weave and prepare the fibre. [Sidenote: Dec. 16.] Attended the theatre; all native performers. With the small Spanish I picked up on the south coast of Spain, I really enjoyed the play. [Sidenote: Dec. 17.]