[73] They have already conducted them to scenes of the last indecency and even bloodshed. See Martini's Hist.
The Inquisition has been but little felt in the Philippines of late years. A tribunal existed, but it was merely nominal, and held only "in terrorem." It was not wanted as a political engine; and as a religious one, there was little use for it amongst a people who will believe any thing and every thing. The Grand Inquisitor, during the last 25 years, is a man universally beloved!--the Padre Coro.
[74] This is, according to Montero y Vidal (Archipiélago filipino, p. 72), the name applied by Linnæus to the Caryota onusta of Blanco, generally called cabonegro by the Spaniards (see VOL. XVIII, p. 177); but the list of fiber plants in Official Handbook of Philippines applies to that tree (p. 332) the name Caryota urens L. The natives also make various sorts of wine and brandy from the sap of the cocoanut palm (Cocos nucifera); see Delgado's Historia general, pp. 645-648, 664.--Eds.
[75] There is an instance (I think in the province of Pampanga) of a negro tribe, who annually pay their tribute--but upon the express condition that no missionaries are to be sent!
[76] "Bulas." Surely this most absurd of all impositions on the credulity of a people, should be abolished, or at least imposed in a less objectionable manner. The "Bula de Cruzada" (originally a contribution to the wars against the Infidels), for which is granted permission to eat meat and eggs in Lent, or benefits to the souls in purgatory ("Bula de Difuntos"), from the Pope is an article of revenue to the king of Spain. His Most Catholic Majesty farms it to one of his subjects, who rather than lose a rial of his bargain, will sell them to Chinese, Turks, or Hindoos, if they are fools enough to buy them, as the Chinese have been known to do for the souls of their ancestors!--Quere: What has become of the original intention of these precious documents? of which a modern Spanish author has remarked, "Que es el papel mas caro y mas malo que se vende." It is the worst and dearest paper that is sold, (Gallardo Dicc. Critico Burlesco). It is, however, an indispensable condition to the performance of many of the offices of religion to have the last published bull. See Manila Almanack.