American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-05-19
nual sound. tina, the Tee is hsard, night and day.

1
| Gold is, indeed, the type Of excellence among tn
Birmans. Every thing belonging 10 the sovereis'
| has the word shoe, or gold, pre6xed to lt.-Whe'
subject means 10 affirm that the king has hear'
any lining, he says" II has reached the COLDER
ears - he who has obtained asmitance to the roya
presence, has been at the golden fcet;" wha
plea.rs the sight is delightful TO the golden eye;
and what grat6es the sense OF smelling IS pleasing
TO the golden nose" The palace OF the emperor
in the city Of Ummerapoor, is large stone building
with Jour gates. Its east entrance is called TN
golden gate its west, the gate of favour its south
the gaze of justice and It's norh the gate OF state
When the English Ambassadors went there the
entered at the golden gate, and assed through Oil
ferent superb apartments to the hall OF audience
which was supported by II pillars Az the end Q
IT is high glded lattice, which conceas the throne
On hi. Msjesty's arrival the folding doors OF thi
lattice were thrown open. The throne is Iich
carved and gilded; and two tables stand near u
covered with large vessels and ornaments OF gold
The emperor seemed scarcely able 10 ascend IN
flight OF steps that leads to bis seat, from the weigh
Of his dress. He literally appeared to be cased y
gold, with wing of the same metal on each Shout
der. His crown was high cap, richly studded wit
precious stones, and his fingers were covered Wit
rings -Four priests, in long robes, chaunted som
at the Foot of the throne, and the numerous ofhcer
OF state were dressed in rich silks His Majesty
the sole proprietor OF all the elephants In his oomln
IONS. It is great honor to be permitted TO ride OF
one. Male elephants are priced beyond females i
Ava, although 10 Hndoston the females are IN NOR
estimation, on account Of their superior dociiity
The henza, wild fowl, called in India the Brahman
goose, is the symbol Of the Birman nation, as tn
| eagle is OF ours.
In Ava, Peeu and Siam, the Pail language, whicl
is derived from SaDsc'. constitutes the sacred text
The character in common is a round nagnri
| formed from the square pail. 1t runs IN circles
and segments of circles yarlnusy disposed, and j
| written from left to right. Their common book
are composed Of the palmyra leaf ON which the let
,ers are engraven with styles. The laws OF hi
Blrmans are OF Hindoo origin. Their code is foun
ded on the Dharma Saslra, which is commentar,
on Menu; it prescrbes specific punishments Tor al
most every species Of crime that can be comnit,ed
Their laws are described wise. and pregnant will
sound morality and their police is better regulated
than in mosi European countries There are n,
distinctions OF caste amongst them, nor they
restricted 10 hereditary occupations nor forbidden
from participating with strangers IN every socia
bond Ii is said that every person can read ane
write the vulgar tongue all their monasterles being
semnares, where youths of all des criptions ats
educated gratis by the rhaans or monks. who never
buy. sell, or accept money. They are fond oil poet
~ and music. In the Kings library, which wa.
shown to Colonel Symes, the books were innumera
bic, kept 10 boxes, ranged with great regularity
The contents Of each chest being written in gold let
tiers on the lid.
The Brmans are followers of Budha, and &C
knowledge TO have resolved their religion from
Ceyon. Their priests wear yellow clothing they
have long loose cloak of that colour which they
wrap round them, so as to cover most part Of their
bodies. Their kioums, or Converts, resemble the
architecture of the Chinese are entirely made oil
wood, and consist Of one large hall open at all sides
There are no apartments for the private recrcatops
of the monks or priests; publicity is the prevailing
system Of Birman conduct. They admit OF nc
secrets either 10 church or state. Their priests
profess ceibacy, and abstain from every sensual
pleasure they receive salaries dress their
own food, but receive the contributions Of the lay
ready dressed. These contributions they collect in
daily perambulations, at the dawn of day During
these walks they never raise their eyes from the
ground, nor stop to solicit any donations the pro.
visions being thrown into ackered box, which they
carry on the arm. They eat bu, once day, anc
distribute the surplus provisions among those who
are in want. Nunneries have been abolished by law
as injurious to population.
There is but little known Of the early history
the Birman Empire. When he Portuguese arm,
we're triumphant 10 India, they interfered in wal
which then ragged between the Birmans and the Pc
guers, but there was little known oil the interior
Birmah In 1852, the sovereign Of Pegu conquer
ed the King of Ava which is the country Of the an
cent Birmans But Alompra, man Of low origin
rose up soon afterwards, rescued his country from
her degradation, drove out the Peguers. and found
ed the present dynasty. In these wars, the French
favored the Peguers, and the English assisted tn,
Birmans. Alompra died in l76o, alter most exten
sive conquests, and the display of most proounc
wisdom, leaving the Empire to his eldest son
Namdogee Prav. In 1867, or 1851 Of the Biimar
era the Chinese sent army Of SO. 600 men agains
the Birmans. But the whole Of this army was de
sroyed, except about {, 500 men, who were sent il
letters to the Capital where they were forced Il
marty Birman wives, and were afterwards, encour
aged to consider themselves as Birmans. 1t appears