aint the animation of the faithful; no discourse can
describe the consolation of the pilgrims in their adoration at the
Shrine of the Holy Virgin of Antipolo.

Yet the village of Antipolo and its neighbourhood was, in Spanish
times, the centre of brigandage, the resort of murderous highwaymen,
the focus of crime. What a strange contrast to the sublime virtues
of the immortal divinity enclosed within its Sanctuary!

On November 26, 1904, this miraculous Image was temporarily removed
from Antipolo to Manila for the celebration of the feast of the
Immaculate Conception. Carried by willing hands to the place of
embarkation, it made the voyage to the capital, down the Pasig
River, in a gorgeously decorated barge, towed by a steam launch,
escorted by hundreds of floating craft and over 20,000 natives,
marching along the river banks in respectful accompaniment. The next
day a procession of about 35,000 persons followed the Virgin to the
Cathedral of Manila, where she was enshrined, awaiting the great event
of December 8. Subsequently she was restored to her shrine at Antipolo.

The most lucrative undertaking in the Colony is that of a shrine. It
yields all gain, without possible loss. Among the most popular of
these "Miraculous Saint Shows" was that of Gusi, belonging to the
late parish priest of Ilug, in Negros Island. At Gusi, half an hour's
walk from the Father's parish church, was enthroned San Joaquin,
who, for a small consideration, consoled the faithful or relieved
them of iheir sufferings. His spouse, Santa Ana, having taken up
her residence in the town of Molo (Yloilo Province), was said to
have been visited by San Joaquin once a year. He was absent on the
journey at least a fortnight, but the waters in the neighbourhood of
the Shrine being sanctified the _clientele_ was not dispersed. Some
sceptics have dared to doubt whether San Joaquin really paid this
visit to his saintly wife, and alleged that his absence was feigned,
firstly to make his presence longed for, and secondly to remove the
cobwebs from his hallowed brow, and give him a wash and brush up for
the year. The Shrine paid well for years--every devotee leaving his
mite. At the time of my pilgrimage there, the holy Father's son was
the petty-governor of the same town of Ilug.

Shrine-owners are apparently no friends of free trade. In 1888 there
was a great commotion amongst them when it was discovered that a
would-be competitor and a gownsman had cons