and the love with which they discussed matters touching the natives, which shone forth in those fathers.  In the time of our father Solier, the province had a very good reputation, for it made itself feared and respected.  Consequently, there was no difficulty in receiving his mandates and enforcing them, so that the province was greatly reformed.  The great devotion of our father Fray Miguel Garcia, who was then chosen as prior of the convent of Manila, aided him.  He was later provincial, and after that he went to Espana, where his Majesty presented him as bishop of Cagayan.  He returned to these islands with a fine company [of religious], and in the islands was appointed archbishop of Manila....

Thus, then, as I have said, the convent of Manila did not differ at all in divine worship from the most devout house in Espana; for the exercise in the choir was continuous, both day and night, and there was no cessation, unless necessity demanded it, when some of it could be dispensed with; for so did our rules decree for that.  The infirmary was so full of all comforts, and so well cared for, that truly there was nothing lacking of anything which the sick asked, or that the physician demanded.  I being attacked by a sudden illness when I arrived at these islands, because of the change in climate, so great was the attention with which I was cared for that it could not have been more in the house of my parents, although they were very wealthy.  Consequently, I became better very soon, and was well enough to go to the province of Bisayas; and, although I was unworthy, it must have been the will of the Lord that I should come.  The fathers made strenuous efforts to have me remain there, and even our father prior himself, Fray Miguel Garcia, would have liked me to remain as master of novitiates.  That which grieves me is that I have served the Lord so very little, although I have been offered enough opportunities in which to serve Him.

Two years after the provincialate of our father Solier began, a visitor-general arrived, to visit this province in behalf of his Holiness and our most reverend father-general, and to reform it.  For that purpose he was given permission to bring twenty-four religious.  He who came as visitor was father Master Fray Diego de Guevara, who died afterward as bishop of Camarines.  He was most religious, and devout beyond belief.  While living in the convent at Madrid, he was there an example and model to all those excellent men who are never lacking in the convents of the capital; and, as that place is the non plus ultra of the world, one would think that all were keeping the best men for that place.