Adventures
in the
Philippine Islands.
Translated from the French of
Paul P. de la Gironiere,
Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honour.
Revised and extended by the author,
Expressly for this edition.
London: Charles H. Clarke, 13, Paternoster Row.
Preface.
On hearing a recital of some adventures which had occurred to meduring my long voyages, many of my friends have frequently begged of meto publish a narrative of them, which might perhaps be interesting.
“Nothing can be more easy for you,” they said, “asyou have always kept a journal since your departure fromFrance.”
I hesitated, however, to follow their advice, or to yield to theirwishes, when I was one day surprised to see my name in one of the feuilletons in the “Constitutionnel.”
M. Alexandre Dumas was publishing, under the title of “The Thousand-and-OnePhantoms,” a romance, one of the principalpersonages of which, in a voyage to the Philippine Islands, must haveknown me when I was residing at Jala-Jala, in the colony that I foundedthere. [xiv]
It must be evident that the lively romancist has ranked me in thecategory of his Thousand-and-One Phantoms; but, to prove to thepublic that I am really in existence, I have resolved to take up thepen, under an impression, that facts of the most scrupulous veracity,and which can be attested by some hundreds of persons, might possesssome interest, and be read without ennui, by those especiallywho are desirous of learning the customs of the savage tribes amongstwhom I have resided.
Chapter I.
A Family Sketch—My Youthful Days—I Study for the MedicalProfession—Obtain a Naval Surgeon’s Diploma—EarlyVoyages—Sail for Manilla in the Cultivateur—Adventurous Habits—Cholera and Massacre atManilla and Cavite—Captain Drouant’s Rescue—PersonalDangers and Timely Escapes—How Business may make Friends ofone’s Enemies—An Unprincipled Captain—Tranquilityrestored at Manila—Pleasures of the Chase—The Cultivateur sails without me—First Embarrassments.