The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-12-20

copies OF my journals, with all my OBJ !
have to be sent home.
trust you will write by the way of Trip
III, as The western route is doubtful
Believe me. yours truly,
"HUGH CLAPPERTON."
The following article, from the Calcutta Gov
eminent Gazette, gives some interesting
particulars relative to the Capital of the
sBdrman Kingdom, and also respecting the
very praiseworthy and useful services of
Mrs. Judson.
1t is a curious circumstance. and one
that argues little for the inquistiveness
Of our counirymeu, that, TO the last mo-
ment of the late war, very indistihct
ideas prevailed respecting the capital Of
the Burman Kingdom, and few, in Cal
eutta at least, were aware, whether it
was Ava or Amerapura that was likely
to become the object Of our attack
During the previous operations, Ame-
rapura seems to have been generally
regarded as the chief city, but lat;erly,
the advices, bota public and private,
seemed TO refer TO Ava alone, and it
only remained 10 learn, when and under
what circumstances this, the ancient
capital of the kingdom, had been re-
deemed from that state of utter desola-
ton and ruin, in which Symes beheld it,
and restored TO its former dignity.
:, In one of the numbers of the Asiatic
Observer, published in Calcutta, brief
allusion is made in letter, dated Ava,
to farewell visit paid by the King TO
Amerapura, preparatory TO his taking
possession of the former city. As this
,aIIusion, however, only affords proba-
means satisfactory, and we have there
fore thought it worth while 10 ascertain
the circumstances Of the occurrence.
The following communication affords
the Information that was required, and in
the tribute il pays 10 the benevolent en-
ergies of Mrs. Judson, and the bene6
cial exercise of her Influence, with the
members of the royal family of Ava,
it performs an act of justice 10 one,
whose talents, evinced in her letters
from the. Borman Kingdom, are only
surpassed by her virtues.
With view TO clear up the matter of
che change Of the Burman Capital, to
the satisfaction of every one, beg
leaveto submit the following particulars
in addition to what have already stat
ed:
In the year 1921, the King. influeuc
cd by the natural disposition to build
more gradually than bis predecessors :;
by desire of water amusement. which
he could not epj ~ in Amerapura all the
year round !; by tremendous fire
which had muao s--~t h~-4e IN 40
capital, and burnt down the Looto, and
some part of the palace by the casual
ty of child drowned in the royal tank
and chiefly, by the appalling omen of
vulture aligh.iDg on the golden spire.
(the Sacred Pyat that determined to
desert the old capital, and rebuild an
cient Ava. Accordingly, be repaired
thither with his Court, in the beginning
of 1929, tosuperintend and encourage
the building of palace. TO be more
large and magnificent than the old; the
one containing only 80 piles of building,
while the other was laid out for 100,
and every thing was to be finished 10 the
same enlarged style. 10 1891, this su-
perb and immense collection of spacious
ediices, little city of ITSELF was COM
pleted. On February Alb, his Majesty
repaired to the old city, TO celebrate
feasts, and sports, and sacrifices, indica-
tive of his fnal farewell, and on the 9Th
of March, 1924, triumphaI entry was
made into the new Capital. The White
Elephant Immediately preceded bis Maj
esty, who, with bis Queen. was seated
in the state coach, drawn by six white
horses. The household gods were car
ried 10 front of the procession. The
state umbrellas followed, and all the
insignia of royalty, consequently, were
displayed on this important occasion
about 10000 men, including carriers,
were engaged in the procession. The
royal family, numerousiy attended, pre-
coded or followed, and all the population
of both towns turned out TO witness the
scene. ] never saw in motion so many
persons at one time. In the middle dis
lance, between the old and new town, is
a fine and extensive royal garden. Here
Mrs. J. for The first time, presented 10
his Majesty the novel sight of foreign
lady. He viewed her attentiyely, butt
avoided, for state reasons, taking any
notice of her. These reasons we were
aeon able to conjecture, when Mengee
Yoozana called her TO him, and concIuG
ed some rather disrespectfuI observa-
lions, by saying we are going to fgh,
and take Bengal, what is Your opinion !?
We were deferred by his manner, from
giving any opinion, but simply replied
(in the Burman slyle) according TO your