Once more we were at sea.  "Homeward! homeward!" was the cry; but we had still a long way to sail and many places to visit before we could get there.  Steering south, we came to an anchor before the city of Manilla, the capital of the Philippine Islands, the largest of which is Lujon. They belong to Spain, having been taken possession of in 1565.  They are inhabited by a variety of savage tribes, most of whom have been converted by their conquerors to the Roman Catholic faith.  The capital stands on a low plain near a large lake, which has numerous branches, now converted into canals.  Hills rise in the distance, and behind them ranges of lofty mountains, clothed to their summits with luxuriant vegetation.  The number of Europeans is very small compared to that of the half-castes and aborigines.  There are said to be forty thousand of those industrious people, the Chinese, who appear now to be finding their way into every country on the shores of the Pacific where employment can be procured.  The largest manufactory at Manilla is that of cigars.  The city appeared to be in a somewhat dilapidated condition, the churches and public buildings, especially, were fast falling into decay.