Both harness and carriages are made in the city, but imported harness can be had, better finished, at double the price. In my time a fine pair of ponies could be bought for $200 to $300; a new Victoria for $500, and harness for $60. The cost of keeping a pair of ponies was $16 per month, and a coachman $12 per month, food, and livery. What the cost is now I have no information. The public carriages were not fit for a lady to use, though sometimes a suitable one could be hired by the week or month from a livery stable. The ponies are wonderfully strong and sure-footed. I weigh over 200 lbs., yet some of these ponies have carried me about all day over rough ground without stumbling. They carry a lady beautifully, and riding is the best form of exercise a lady can take. The Garden. The garden will be a great source of occupation to the mistress of the house. If it is sheltered from the wind and supplied with water, she can grow almost anything. And plants will come up quickly, too, under the influence of the heat and moisture. There are nursery gardens at Pasay, where all sorts of plants and seedlings can be obtained; in fact, these are hawked about morning and evening. The so-called gardener rarely has much skill, but he will clean up the garden and water it, and do what he is told. The most beautiful and delicate ferns can be grown, and magnificent orchids got to flower, if they are well sheltered in a mat-shed. Bananas and pines grow without trouble, and radishes, salads, tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons, can be raised. Shops. You can get most things you want in Manila. The drug-stores are mostly in German hands, but there is one English one where the usual English articles can be got. There is an ample supply of wines, spirits, and preserved provisions at the grocers, and the drapers keep on hand any quantity of silks, muslins, and piece-goods, with all the necessary fixings. French and German shoes are in plenty. The goods in the jewellers' shops and in the fancy bazaars are all of a very florid style, to suit the gaudy taste of the wealthy Filipinos. Such piece-goods and haberdashery as are in common use are brought round to the ladies at their own houses by Chinese hawkers, who, having small expenses, sell remarkably cheap. They are always very civil and attentive, and will gladly get you any article that they have not in stock at the moment. Ladies save going about in the heat and dust by purchasing from these men. Amusements.