Anchored off the west coast of the island of Basilair, the largest of the Sulu Archipelago, on which the Spaniards have established a small settlement, not without trouble, the inhabitants being hostile and warlike, keeping their garrison on the alert. The French squadron, under Admiral Cecille, sustained some loss in an attack by boats here. The next day we worked our way between numerous small but beautiful islands, only regretting we had not time to explore them. [Sidenote: The Philippines.] At 9 P.M. we came to off the fort of Samboangan. On the following morning saluted the Spanish flag. The settlement is on the south part of the Philippine group, and its population reinforced by convicts from Manila. [Sidenote: Jan. 9.] The inhabitants are fierce, and celebrated for their piratical propensities. We much enjoyed a few days in this comparatively civilised place. Owing to the clever management of the Governor, Don Cayetano de Figueroa, Colonel of Engineers, a very sociable system of society prevailed, uniting all classes--the proud Spanish dames not refusing to meet in the same ballroom the pretty half-caste women who during the mornings were engaged in washing clothes or retailing eggs and poultry in the market. The hospitality of the Governor provided for us at his residence early every morning a cup of excellent chocolate. After _chôta hazari_, horses being in readiness, he would accompany us, pointing out everything worth seeing. The settlement of Samboangan lies within narrow boundaries; but in the immediate vicinity of the town the land was highly cultivated. In our rides we were attended by boys carrying our guns, the jungle abounding in varieties of doves and pigeons, also a bantam fowl. We had dances and dinners on shore and on board; indeed it was with no small regret we took leave of our kind and hospitable friends. [Sidenote: Jan. 14.] There is much in these regions to interest the conchologist and to reward his researches among the rocks and seaweeds: finding I was a collector, the officers of the Spanish marine supplied me from their private collections with some beautiful specimens of the spondylus and chama. We left Samboangan in company with a fleet of gunboats that would have done credit to any nation. It must be confessed that in _systematic_ protection to the commerce of their respective seas both Spain and Holland surpass us. The Spaniards, alive to the truth that commerce and piracy cannot co-exist, have long since maintained such a naval force as has not only driven away, but _keeps_ at a distance from the Philippine Islands, those hordes who used to inflict on their marine traffic such sacrifice of life and property. The Dutch, true to the same policy, and perhaps even more happy in its exercise, have by a system of vigilance along the whole coast of Java, so eradicated piracy from the Celebes, that murderers have been converted into merchants. [Sidenote: Jan. 16.]