Such a metamorphosis would
excite laughter in a comedy or farce; but, realized in the theatre
of human life, it must give rise to sensations of a very different
nature. Who is there that does not feel horror-struck, and tremble
for the innocent, when he sees a being of this kind transferred from
the yard-arm to the seat of justice, deciding in the first instance
on the honor, lives, and property of a hundred thousand persons, and
haughtily exacting the homage and incense of the spiritual ministers
of the towns under his jurisdiction, as well as of the parish curates,
respectable for their acquirements and benevolence, and who in their
own native places, would possibly have rejected as a servant the very
man whom in the Philippines they are compelled to court, and obey as
a sovereign." _State of the Philippine Islands_, London, 1821, p. 194.

[69] Morga, p. 323.

[70] Jagor describes an election which he saw in the town of Lauane,
of four thousand five hundred inhabitants, in the little island of
the same name which lies just off the north shore of Samar. As it is
the only description of such a local election that I recall I quote
it in full. "It took place in the town house. At the table sits the
Governor or his proxy, on his right the pastor and on his left the
secretary who is the interpreter. All the Cabezas de Barangay, the
Gobernadorcillo and those who have formerly been such have taken their
places on the benches. In the first place six of the Cabezas, and six
of the ex-Gobernadorcillos respectively are chosen by lot to serve
as electors. The Gobernadorcillo in office makes the thirteenth. The
rest now leave the room. After the chairman has read the rules and
exhorted the electors to fulfil their duty conscientiously, they go
one by one to the table and write three names on a ballot. Whoever
receives the largest number of votes is forthwith nominated for
Gobernadorcillo for the ensuing year, if the pastor or the electors
make no well-founded objections subject to the confirmation of the
superior court in Manila, which is a matter of course since the
influence of the pastor would prevent an unsuitable choice. The same
process was followed in the election of the other local officials
except that the new Gobernadorcillo was called in that he might make
any objections to the selections. The whole transaction was very quiet
and dignified." _Reisen in den Philippinen_, Berlin, 1873, pp. 189-190.

Sir John Bowring's