gave the lie to the perfection that they were professing (and in religious any puerility gives the lie to perfection, just as in a beautiful face any mark shows out, however small it be).  The religious are the face of the community, the most unblemished of it, and all men are looking at them.  Consequently there must be nothing that gives the lie to it; for, however slight it be, it must be immediately seen.”  Convents, churches, and houses, “not costly, but with the moderation of that time,” were erected.  Medina continues:]

...  A convent was established in the town of Taal.  There is a lake there, generally known as the lake of Bongbong.  Its water is salt, and so deep that the bottom cannot be reached in some parts.  It is about forty leguas in circumference, counting in its gulfs and bays. [56] Shad are caught there, or rather tunny-fish, which, although not like those of Espana, still approximate to them.  The lake empties through a river into the sea.  When the Spaniards went there, this lake swarmed with people.  It is twelve or thirteen leguas from Manila.  Its chief town was this Taal, where the religious were established.  Now it is the principal convent, and has a stone church, but very few people. [57] There lives the alcalde-mayor of La Laguna.  And there are generally Spaniards there who are making rigging for his Majesty.  This lake has its islets, especially one opposite Taal, which had a volcano, which generally emitted flames. [58] That made that ministry unhealthful; for the wind or brisa blew the heat and flames into the village so that all that land became parched, and the natives had no lands to cultivate....

[To remedy this Father Alburquerque built an altar at the foot of the volcano; a procession was made thither by all the village, and mass celebrated.  So successful was this that “as yet no more fire or smoke has been seen, and that island, about four leguas in circuit, has fields and cows, and the inhabitants of Taal sow and reap their harvests in their land.”  Other convents were established at Tanauan, Lipa, Bauang, and Batangas, the first three with houses, the last with a house and stone church.  “But they have few people, [59] so that the presence of the Spaniard must be a poison that finishes them.  And this reduces them more than their wars and slaveries did in their heathenism.  Of the volcano of Tlascala is recounted almost the same thing as of Taal.”]

The father provincial settled religious in Laguna de Bay, [60] which is another lake not less remarkable than the one that we have just described.  Its water is fresh, and it is the largest lake known [in the islands], for it must be more than fifty leguas in circuit.  It has its islets in the middle, some larger than others.  It is exceedingly stormy, for, as the water has but little density, it is aroused and disturbed with but little wind, to the danger of those upon it.  This convent is one of our largest.  It was the largest settlement [on the