There are many volcanos in the island of Luçon, which, it is most probable, is the cause of the frequent earthquakes to which it is subject; not a year passes without two, three, or four. The Spaniards of Manila construct their houses accordingly; the whole is of wood, and raised on wooden pillars; but to guard against such visitations they are provided with a small apartment made of bamboo, placed in the court or garden. There the whole family sleeps, when the state of the atmosphere seems to indicate an earthquake. It has been well observed by M. Gentil, that the earthquakes appear to occur more frequently at the end of the year, and most commonly in the night-time. I witnessed two in the month of December, 1770: the first was violent, and threw down many houses; it was announced at nine o'clock at night by a strong southerly wind, which considerably agitated the sea; the atmosphere became charged with a reddish vapour, and in two hours time I felt three successive shocks, which produced in me a kind of sea sickness. The vessels in the road were sensible of the motion, and thought they had struck. The Spaniards employed themselves in chaunting the rosary. From the volcanos proceed springs of warm water, which are in great abundance in the island of Luçon; to some are attributed even marvellous properties, particularly to those of Bailly, situated on the borders of the lake of Bay. The King has had an hospital and public baths constructed here. The trade of Manila might be very considerable, and this city become one of the richest and most commercial in all Asia. The Spaniards themselves might proceed to China, Cochin-china, India, Bengal, Surat, and even to the Isle of France, from whence might be drawn the commodities they stand in need of either for their own consumption, or for carrying on the commerce to Mexico; they might take with them, in exchange, the produce of the islands: but the Spaniard, naturally slothful, is more disposed to enjoy his indolence, which he denominates tranquillity, than export the productions of his country; a species of traffic necessarily accompanied with some degree of fatigue. The government has prohibited the admission of any foreign vessels into their harbours. All the French navigators, who have been desirous of establishing an intercourse, and who have touched at Manila for commercial purposes, have been always received very ungraciously; and privateers, from an ill-judged combination against them, have uniformly sustained great losses there on their prizes. The difficulties which have been thrown in the way of the unloading and loading of vessels, have thoroughly disgusted the merchants of the Isle of France; a commerce, nevertheless, which might be rendered equally advantageous to both nations.