to the bride, and her parents and family, during these years of service, and if they are guilty of any lapse in this respect, the marriage is declared to be annulled, which is always very agreeable to the parents of the woman, as a new suitor presents himself, and they reap the benefit of a new service. The bridegroom, to console himself for his sufferings, as soon as the term closes, and his service is at an end, treats his wife as a slave; she is obliged to work for the maintenance of the family, whilst the husband is quite idle, and thinks herself happy, if, after having done this, she is not beaten. The interest which the parents of the girl, thus have in her disposal, is highly pernicious to morals; and we have not succeeded to this hour, in the abolition of it, either by the influence of royal edicts, or the regulations of the bishops, by both of which, it is discouraged and prohibited. The ceremony of marriage is performed, by sacrificing a hog, which a priestess slays with a thousand grimaces; after which, she bestows many benedictions on the parties, and an old woman presenting them with some food, the ceremony is closed by many obscenities. Dancing, according to their fashion, succeeds, and drinking the rest of the day ends the feast, which is always proportionate to the circumstances of the newly married pair. The principal contributions to this feast, arise from presents made to the bride and bridegroom by their friends, of which particular notice is taken, in order that similar presents may be returned to the parties on a like occasion. In their religious ceremonies, they use neither idols nor temples; their sacrifices are offered in arbours, which they raise for that purpose. They have priestesses, whom they call babailanas or catalonas, to whose function it belongs, to perform the sacrifices. The priestess, taking a lance in her hand, with extravagant and ridiculous gestures, works herself up to apparent frenzy, accompanied by foaming at the mouth, when uttering something, which is received as prophecy, she pierces the hog with the lance, and immediately distributes the carcase among those present: the ceremony, as usual, is closed by dancing and drinking.