ABSTRACT
It hath been no small piece of policy in the friars and Jesuits of Manila and the Philippine Islands to purchase near about Mexico some house and garden to carry thither such missionary priests as they yearly bring from Spain for those parts. For were it not that they found some rest and place of recreation, but were presently closed up in the cloisters of Mexico to follow those religious duties (which sore against their wills most of them are forced to), they would soon after a tedious journey from Spain by sea and land relent of their purposes of going forward, and venturing upon a second voyage by the South Sea; and would either resolve upon a return to Spain, or of staying in some part of America; as myself and five more of my company did, though secretly and hiddenly, and sore against the will of Friar Calvo and others, who had the tutoring and conducting of us. Therefore that all such as come from Spain to be shipped again at Acapulco for the Philippines may have all manner of encouragement, rest, and recreations becoming their professions, whilst they do abide in America, and may not be disheartened by those that live about Mexico (who do truly envy all that pass that way to Asia), the friars and Jesuits have purchased for their missions houses of recreation among the gardens, which are exempted from the power and command of the Superiors of Mexico, and are subordinate unto the government of the Provincials of the Philippines, who send from thence their substitute vicars to rule, and to look to the aforementioned houses and gardens. To the Dominicans belonged this house called St Jacintho, whither we were carried, and where we did abide near five months, having all things provided that were fit and necessary for our recreations, and for our better encouragement to a second voyage by sea. The gardens belonging to this house might be of fifteen acres of ground, divided into shady walks under the orange and lemon trees; there we had the pomegranates, figs, and grapes in abundance, with the plantain, sapote, chicosapote, pine-fruit, and all other fruits that were to be found in Mexico. The herbs and salads and great number of Spanish cardoes which were sold out, brought in a great rent yearly; for every day there was a cart attended to be filled and sent to the market of Mexico; and this not at seasons of the year, as here in England and other parts of Europe, but at all times and seasons, both winter and summer, there being no difference of heat, cold, frosts, and snow, as with us, but the same temper all the whole year, the winter differing only from the summer by the rain that falls, and not by excessive frosts that nip. This we enjoyed without doors; but within we had all sorts and varieties both of fish and flesh.
