The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-05 00:00:00

THE BIRMAN EMPIRE.

The BIRMAN E3IPIItE, the most extensive Go-
vernment in India, which is subject to one so-
verign authority, includes (taking Assam into
the account) 1750 geographical miles in length,
and 800 in breadth, extending from the, 9th to
the 28th degrees of north latitude, and from the
92d to the 104th of east longitude. On the north,
it is bounded by Tibet, on the south, by the In-
dian Ocean and the territory of Siam ; the Em-
pire of China skirts its north east frontier, Cam-
bodia stretches along its eastern verge, and the
west is terminated by, the Tiperah mountains and
the river Nauf. The number of square miles
comprised in this empire is estimated at 194,000
exclusive of Assam), containing Ave, Arracan,
Pegu, Martabau, Tenasserim, Junkseylon,
Mergni, Tabay, Yunshan, Lowashen, and Cassay.
It is said to contain 8,000 cities, towns, and vil-
lages, without including Arracan. The popula-
tion has been estimated by Colonel Symea at 17
millions ; but Captain Cox, who succeeded him
at the Birman Court, estimates it at only half that
mintier. The chief rivers are the Irawaddy,
the Kenduem, the Lokiang, and the Pegu ; and
the chief towns, Ummerapoor, the capital; Ave,
the ancient capital ; Munchaboo, the birth place
of Alompra ; Pegu, Rangoon, Syriam, Prome,
Negrais, Persaim, and Chagaing. The climate
is healthy, the seasons being regular, and ex-
tremes of heat and cold seldom experienced.
The intense heat which precedes the rains is so
very short in its continuance, that the inconve-
nience is trifling. In many parts the soil is fer-
tile. lice, in the south, yields abundant crops ;
and in the north, wheat, and the various kinds
of small grain, and leguines which grow in Bin-
dostan, flourish. Sugar canes, tobacco, indigo,
cotton, and the different tropical fruits, are indi-
genous. Although the tea-plant flourishes near
Ummerapoor, it yields scarcely any flavour.—
The teak tree grows here in great abundance,
and also every other kind of timber which
grows in India. There are mines of gold and
silver, rubies, and sapphires, iron, tin, lead,
antimony, arsenic, sulphur, &c. Amethysts,
garnets, beautiful chrysolite*, jasper, amber,
and marble, are also found here ; and the
wells are here which produce petroleum oil.—
With China, the Birmaus carry oa an extensive
trade. Cotton, umber, ivory, precious stones, be-
tel-nut, and edible nests, are transported up the
river Irawaddy, in large boats, as far as Bamoo;
where they are bartered at the jee or mart, with
the Chinese merchants, for raw and wrought
silks, velvets, gold,leaf, preserves, paper, and
some utensils of hardware. The British in India
have been in the practice of importing to Ma-
dras and Calcutta, from the Birman deminions,
teak timber, to the amount of nearly a million of
dollars annually, Which they have paid for in
English broad-cloth, hardware, coarse Bengal
muslins, glass, Cossimbazur silks, cocoa nuts, &c.
The Birmans, like the Chinese, have no coin ;
silver, in bullion, and lead, being the currency
of the country, and the value of these being re-
gulated by artificial standards, fluCtuates so con-
tinually, that foreigners are obliged to entrust
their affairs to native bankers. Thee value of rice
at that capital is 56 cents for 84 pounds ; but at
purchased for that
situumnoo
.grrnh2esreo pisoust:idds
tnonteyx:sl
great
similarity
between the court' of Ave and Pekin, especially
as regards titles and ()sten tatioUS splendour. The
Birruan Emperor, like the sovereign of Chino,
acknowledges no equal. Amongst his title's are.-
the Sovereign of the Earth, the Emperor of Ern"
perors, the Sovereign etAceitied for riches and
happiness, the Monarch of elephants and horieb

and all good things, the Lord of high-..built
palaces, of gold, esc..Stc. There am no lieredi;
tary dignities, but rank hs designated by the num-
ber of gold chains vs hioch are worn. The king
wears '24 chains, mid his printo mioister It ; and •i
the other nobles created fur life, or during office,
weer different numbers, down to 3, w hich de-
note the loWest order of nobility. One-
tenth of all produce is exacted as the revenue
of the crown ; but 'the *Mount varies so
much that no average can be estimated. The
Emperor, however, is understood to be immensely
Heti ; every man in the kingdom is held liable
to military duty when called upon ; but the
standing army in time of peaces has been very
small. It is evident, however, from the numbers
they here brought into ties field during the war
now existing, that they cati swell their army to a
very considerable force. Of weir boats, the
EMperor is said to have 500, carrying each from
40 to 50 rowers, so soldiets with, muskets, and
a piece of ordnance on the. prdw. There is is
great contrast between the Birmans and the Ha-
tives of -Indlat the former being lively,Mouisitive,
active, irascible, and impatient ; while their lieu-
gal neighbOnrs are exactly the reverse of all these.
In Am, the females are not concealed from the.
sight of men; but they are treated in a manner
irreuencileable either with delicacy or humenity.
Their women are sold to strangers, but this pur-
chase does not authorize the carrying of them out
of the country ; they are never permitted to emi-
grate. 'The men pluck out their beards by the
routs, and both sexes colour their teeth, their
eye-lashes, and the edges of their eyelids, black.
Polygamy is prohibited by law,, but concubinage,
to an unlimited extent, is admitted. The Bir-
mans bury the dead ; they are iu their food gross
and uncleanly ; even reptiles being eaten by the
lower classes. The sitting posture is considered
the most respectful. Their houses are raised on
wooden posts, or bamboos, generally composed
of bamboos and mats, and but indifferently
thatched ; but their temples are splendid fabrics,
glittering with .gold.—There is one of these
splendid erections, built on arising ground above
'Rangoon, which is ascended by 100 Megnificent
steps. Terraces are cut round the summit of the
hill, and planted with rows of trees, whose rich
foliage gives a fine effect to the lofty spires of the
temple which rise above it. The centre spire,
which is the tallest, is crowned at the top with a
sort of cap, in the form of an umbrella,
which, US
well as the spire itself, is richly guilt, and glitters
beautifully in the sunshine. The great temple
at Pegu !luau° less than 100 tall spires, all richly
gilt ; and, at a distance, they seem like a forest of
gold ; whence the temple derives its name, beiug
stalled the Golden Temple. The centre spire,
with the cap, or umbrella, is 56 feet in circutn-
ference. It is called the Tee ; and round its
.rims are hung numerous small bells, which keep
up such a continual sound, that the Tee is heard,.
night and day, at a considerable distance. Gold
is the type of excellence among the !linnet's.
Every thing belonging to the sovereign has the
word shoe, or gold prefixed to it. When a sub-'
ject means to affirm that the king has heard any
thing, he says—" It has reached the golden
ears ;" he 'who has obtained admittance to the

royal presence, has beeo at " the golden feet ;"
what pleases the sight is delightful to c' the gol-
den eye ;" and what gratifies the sense of smell-
ing is pleasing to " the golden nose." The palace
of the Emperor, in the city of Usnmerapoor, is a
large stone building, with four gates. Its Past
entrance is Ca lied the golden gate; its west, 'the '
gate of favour ; its south, the gate of justice; and
its north, the gate of state. When the English
Ambassadors went there, they entered at the gol-
den gate, and passed through different superb
apartments to the hall of audience, which was
supported by 77 pillars. ,At. the end of it is a
high gilded lattice, which conceals the throne.
On his Majesty's arrival, the folding doors of
this lattice were thrown open. The throne is
richly carved and gilded ; and two tables stand
near it, covered with large vessels and or-
naments of gold. The Emperor seemed
scarcely able to ascend the flight of steps' that
leads to his seat, from the weight of his dress.—
He literally appeared, to be cased in gold, with
a wing of the same metal on each shoulder. His
crown was a high cap, richly studded with pre.
cious stones, and his fingers were covered with
rings. Four priests, in long robes, chaunted u
song at the foot of the throne, and the numerous
officers of state were dressed in rich silks. Ilia
Majesty is the sole proprietor of all the elephants
in his dominions. It is a great honour to be per-
mitted to ride on one.. Male elephants are prised
beyond females in Avn, although in ilindoston '
the fenmuks are in more estitoutioe, on account of,
their superior docility. The'henza, a wild 'fowl,
culled in India the Iliahtnuny goose, is the sytiihol
of the Burman nation, as the eagle is of ours.—
In Ave, I'egu and Siam, langoage,which
is clerked frOm Sanscrit constitutes the sacred.
text. The character in common use is a round
Hugari, formed from the squat e palL It runs in
circles, and. t.:egnients of cireim s, variouslyTidleisir.
posed, endoti,skswatirtetenc,f)rtioinviosletft :i our) rtilleht.paimyra
leaf„ on which tin letters are enginven with
stYles. The laws of the I.lirmaos are of Hin.
dot) origin. Their code is founded On the
pharmi sastra, which is a commentary an
Men i ; it
,prescribes specifle punishments fur.
almost every specie of crime that can be emu.
mitted. Their laws are described as wise
and pregni!nt with sound morality,; and their po-,
lice is better regulated than in most European
countries. There iirt, no distinctions of taste
amongst- them, nor are they restricted to.l4eredi
t;,rY' traututtiuns nor forbidden fromprtitipat.i:

•
tug with strangers in every social, bona. It is
Seid'that t very persou can read and with the
Vulgar"tonstie: all their monasteries being seiro'..
Males, where youths of all descriOtioos are et,ln.
tatted gratis by the rhaans Or monks, never
buy, sell, or accept money. They tire food or
poetry and music. lo the King's library, svbic.4l
Was shown to Colonel iyales, the hooks wereau,
numerable, kept in boxes, ranged with great te-
kularity, the contents of each chest behig
writ-
ten an gold. letters on the lid. The Ottrenaus
are followers of Butt ha, and Ise wr lodge to
have received their religioo from. Coyrl.utt.
Their priests wear yellow clothiug ; they iAve
a long loose cloak of that colour which Ably
wrap round them, so as to cover most part of
their bodies. Their Itiouois, or Convents, resettle
ble the architecture of the Chinese; are entiretyt.
made of would; acid consist of one large hall, open
at ail Sides. 'Threeare no apartments for.the
private recreations of the tumo ks or priests; pub-
licity is the prevailing system of Burnam cou-
duct. They admit of no secrets eathef in ChlifOlt
Of state: Their priests professcelibacy,aud.absteits
from every sensual pleasure; they receive no
Salaries; never dress their own food, but receive
the contribUtions of the laity ready dressed.—
TheSe contributions they collect in.4l:tily pmato-
Wiliest's, at the dawn of day. During Ibese
walks they never raise their eyes from the
ground, nor stop to solicit tiny donation; the
prOVisions being thrown tutu a luckered box, Which
they carry on the urne. They eat but once a
day, and distribute the surplus provisions among
those who are in want. Nunneries have,,beru
abolished by law, as injurious to populatfOn.--7
There is but little known of the early history, of
the Birman Empire, When the Portuguese antes
were triumphant in India, they interfered in a
%stir which the'4l raged bet Wert, the Birmatt4 and
the revers, but there was little known of ti.e
interior of Birmah. In t 75.2, the Sot(Preigo of
regu conquered the King of Ave, which is the
country of the onciettt Birmans. But Aloonrru,
a man of low origin, rose op soon afterwards,
rescued his country from her degredation, drove
O guers,and founded the present tlynusty.
Innttillelee P
set Wars, the Ffethell favoured the Peguers,
and the English assisted the Bormatis• AlotoPt4
died in 1760, after most extensive conquests,
and the display of most profound wisdom, leaving
the Empire to his eldest son, Nanidogee Vitus.
1111767, or 1181, of the Birman era, the Chi-
nese sent an army of 50,000 men agaiost the
Birmans. But the whole of this army was de-
stroyed, except about 2,500 men, who were sent
in fetters to the capital, where they were forced
to marry Birman wives, and were, afterwards'en-
couraged to consider themselves us Birmans. It
appears that all strangers are invited to marry
Birptan women. This custom in the East is sins.
gular : for women are,. in almost all sections of
the Eust,degraded by intercourse wi'ostruogets,
Aliuderagee Prow, the fourth son of the g'reut
A lonipra, ascended the throne in 175‘,?..... Ile
founded the new metropolis of Atronerupoor,
which the seat of government was removed frone
-Avtt ; since which period the Birman yowtr has
been gradually increasing, until the cOmmetnce-
ment of the present war ,with „Britain,
which bids fair to reduce it once more to a 'mere
dependency.

AWIIILLT SUDDEN DEATH.--CIIELTEI4HAIII, SAN. 2.
—The festivity of a party, which aisemblvti on Friday evening
tbr the purpose of celebrating at once the Christmas, a christen-
ing, anti a house-warnting, . met with a inelancifoly interrup-
tion, by the occurrence of one of those awful instances of suck-
dec.death, which aro doubtless permitted by If wine Prevalence
as salutary warnings to mankind. , 'The twsrty was given by
John Hayward, a respectable mechanic, m
1t rticy-
Slace, in this town, and amongst the ytnitors u tut ;t Rum earned
amuel Pullrn, mm glazier, in the eMployment of Ilr. Viler, ot'
Queen's-buildings.. Mirth and good humour, ,tenapered by
sobriety, ruled the evening, and after. supper Pullen rose anti
proposed the Familiar toast, " Our noble .ativen," to which he
had s arcely drank, when he fell hack and instantly' oilfired-
The consternation which seized upon those who had been .bet
A moment before the happy sharers in his felicity, to intleorih,
able. Medical assistance was immediately proofed, but in
vainthe vitaripatk had Red, and human' effrittli Wile Of int)

.
•
POISONING IN Consica.—rA man, named Tu.
lomei de Pavan°, was put to the bar at Ajaccio for having
caused the death of several individuals; by poisoning a rivulet
called Caknew. It appeared in evidence, that inijune last
five or six persons were seized with violent pains in, the bowels,
and three of them died in a few days. The surgeon who ext.
mined the bodies gave it as his opinion that the deceased' had
come by their death in consequence of taking some poisoned
liquid. , The hick persons hi big (1410104.1f1e4, 'AO Ortior
.to hum.
AttOlloll4t had been the cause of their illness, stated that they
aupposedit arose fl-om their drinking cold water wlietilti a vio
lent perspiration. One of them was certain, that hr; far axle.
hated to him, this cause could not have produced the tireadfol
malady ; he bad not been out of his house for a week'pralous
to his indisposition, it was. impossible that he• could have
drank cold water when his hotly w-As heated ;he thotight that
the quality of the water might be the reason, but in what
manner any change` had taken place he could not assign. A,
medical man tasted the water of the' rivulet, anti ftitind that 'it
possessed a peculiar flavour. About fifty Vatds ftomile spot
where the deceased resided, a considerable quantity a laurel
branches, with leaves (Daphne lanriolo) was discOvelid 'at the
bottom of the rivulet ; they had been placed there by Tolonici.
who, in his defence, said that he was not aware thesekaves
were of a poisonotta nature. He had, however, been beard to
threaten one of the deceased, and' the character' receiicd
being a very bad one, he was found guilty. As the todetiota
not mention this crime, it became a matter of some difficulty
with the judges to award a pubisinnent, but an ordinance
.was
found, dated so far hack as 1001, at the period ais rohmbre
rdente, when so many hundred persons went exeetted,Y being
I found guilty of adminiateriv poison.' The law, verities diet
' plating laurel leaves' into small rivulets, "With the tniention
of poisoning the water, and should death 'enstie;Ahe
shall be executed ; where 'no bad intention watoirteitnto the
court to be at liberty to punish with imprisonment. ,TOOrpci
*as sentenced to three years' Confinement, 'and 'to' he placed
during ten 'years under the surveillance rif the *MO:iv:nos lien-
tenee appears extremely blush to the,inhabitantitort
The majority are of opinion that the rivulet welted Celansone
is as dial.' and SO l';:piti; that the laurel litives lieepra_
duce the ctivet 'that- is supposed '..nthers.sriy *that '4atstal,kives
arr not poisonous, as many, people in she, -al.Tramec
treduce them Into diet soup to gtve it a rich flavour, Tolomti
has appe,,kit to court of t!..Lasittino:

A colvi.pd matke(, of WO feet aquas, and 25
feet high, is itt)intt to 1w erected at Britotion
be called ititukt,\AlekNlitt:ket.
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