[99] Zúñiga (Estadismo, Retana's ed., i, pp. 299, 300), says of the natives of Tondo province: "The language of these Indians is somewhat corrupted, because a great number of Spanish words have been introduced. That is the only benefit which they have derived from living near Manila, since there are very few who know Spanish. In the suburbs themselves, as well as in Binondo and Santa Cruz, the Tagálog language is spoken. The Spaniards cast the blame on the religious for the Indians not knowing the Spanish language. But let them examine the villages of the seculars, and they will find whether they know more than those of the regular curacies. We cannot succeed in getting them to learn the doctrine, and it is wished that we teach them the Spanish language. There are some Spaniards who believe that we are opposed to them learning it, but this calumny was clearly destroyed in the time of Señor Anda, when it was ordered that no one could become a gobernadorcillo unless he knew Spanish; and it was necessary in almost all the villages to take the servants of the fathers. Now even, if there is any Indian who knows Spanish in the villages, it is because he has served some religious or some Spaniard in Manila. I know very well the method of introducing the Spanish language into Filipinas; but since I know that my plan will not be observed, I shall say only that hitherto, certain absurd means which would not have been used among barbarians, have been taken." [100] Estadismo, appendix A (note by Zamora). This citation is from vol. ii, pp. 59*, *60. [101] The issue of June 5, 1891 (note by Zamora). [102] An expression used in ridicule, like the English folderols. It might be translated "utter nonsense." [103] The Spanish for this invitation is as follows: "El día diecinueve de su mañana y del presente plenilunio tendrá lugar la misa de mi vara en esta Iglesia de mi cargo que Dios gratuitamente me ha concedido esta carga honorosa. Invito á Vd. tanto como á mi casa que desde luego se llenará el vacio acendrado de mi corazón en su asistencia hasta resonar mi última hora en el relox del Eterno." Some of the words are taken in the wrong acceptation. [104] This letter is given by Retana in his edition of Zúñiga's Estadismo, ii, pp. *60-63*. [105] Literally, "I ordain and command"--the form of opening often used in decrees, edicts, etc. [106] This last paragraph is not a part of Retana's letter to Becerra, but it is taken from Retana's words following the letter in his edition of the Estadismo, ii, pp. 63*, *64.