him here, but without doubt would take him to give him the reward of his many labors and of his devotion.  This convent has more than one thousand Indians, and three religious—­a very small number.  Sometimes there are two religious, the number depending upon the poverty or ease of the time.  A quantity of fruit grows in this place.  The water is bad, and therefore the religious are looking for better.  Cattle draw the fruit from here to Bay, where small Sangley and Japanese champans are found.  These buy the fruit to resell it in Manila; for all the fruit and buyo used in the city of Manila comes from this Laguna, as I believe I have already mentioned.  Amid these heights are many fresh-water lakes, and others of salt water, one-half legua in circuit or more.  Others are less but so deep that bottom cannot be found.  They are secrets of the Author of nature.

Chapter XXVII

Which treats of the chapter of this province in which father Fray Diego Munoz [138] was elected

In the year 1587, the chapter was held in Manila.  It was the first one held according to the new rules received and ordered to be observed in the general chapter held at Rome in 1581, when our very reverend Tadeo Perusino, a man of great learning, notable for his sanctity, and one of great skill in the government and management of grave matters (as was declared by his Excellency Cardinal Jacobo Sabelio, on this same occasion), was elected [general of the order] for the second time.  This work [i.e., the new rules] had been commenced in 1575 at another general chapter, at which this illustrious man was elected also.  There all the provinces warned him of the need for rules, for they had very few or none, and that, therefore, he should ordain in this respect what he should consider most advisable; and that they should order them to be printed.  They also declared that it was necessary to correct them, and make them conform with the holy canons of the Council of Trent, and with certain new determinations and rules of the most holy pontiffs, adding various other things in harmony with the times, for with time everything changes.  The chapter having referred this matter to out most reverend father, his Paternity consulted all the father provincials and learned men of all the provinces, and finished the work with so great success that it was quite concluded and approved by the year 1580, by the assistance therein of his Excellency Cardinal Jacobo Sabelio, most beneficent protector of our holy order.  The latter presented these rules to his Holiness Gregory XIII, so that he might amend and correct them as our supreme head and shepherd.  His Holiness committed them to two most erudite cardinals, Alciato and Justiniano—­the first doctor in both laws, and the second a very great theologian, who had governed the order of our father St. Dominic most worthily as its general.  These illustrious men having examined and approved them,