Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-26


very frequently, as VIC used to find half-devour-
cd buflaloes near tho Bmman pickcts. Rep
tiles Of every kind, such us lizards and snakes,
are also eaten by tho lower classes; and small
fish. which is kept till half putrid, and then
picked, is considered great treat; it is call
q! gnapee. and tho vicinity Of it may easily be
perceived by the stencil which exhaics from
the boats laden with any quantity"
. 'ofmoro miscellaneous matter. the subjoined
extracts afford a sufficient idea:
"Therc il said TO be one or the largest r,i-
bics over known in the treasury at Ava; where
It's beauty Is increased by placing it in bowl
fal of water, and consequently mngnifying its
tustre. The following story rs rotated OF the
manner in which il came into The possession
Of the Kings Of Ava:-After the sacking OF
pcgue by Alompra, the unfortunate degraded
old King, Bonga Della. whose life was spared
by the clcmcncy of the conqueror, was kept in
closo confinement in Rangoon, during the reign
OF his son, and old agc was fast haste>in .hc
period OF his cxsstencc. Still he was an object
of Jealousy and Tear 10 the Burman king a.l
Shefhbuah, vino had but just suppressed the
royolt Of the Pogucrs, was glad of the oppor-
tunity IT offered to deprive them Of their only
head, whom he therefore, though innocent,
ordered to DO executed, in 1860, as 4 partici-
pator in tho rebellion. Ava Book, or Pagoda
Point, was tho spot appointed for his exccu-
ton, and on his way thithcr he was constantly
seen twisting what appeared TO be piece Of
wax in his hand, and this his attendants stated
nc had done duriag the whole tinio he was in
prison. After the execution, curiosity induced
some of the by-standers 10 examine the wax,
and in it was discovered this ruby, which
was was. OF course immediately forwarded to the
bn
ty of faynangheouta and Tantabain, produces
the famoys petroleum which is SO commonly
used IN Ava, and constitutes one of its greatest
articles Of trade. Aswe marched over tho arid
hills where the wells were sunk, VIC could per-
ccive the air to be- strongly imprcgnatcd with
the fumes Of the oil and in the ncighborhood
Of the small villages on the road, piles Of jars
were TO be seen, intended 10 receive it for use.
Some of the wells which were near tho road
enabled us TO see the manner in which the oil
is procured; but the absence OF the workmcn,
and the rapitlty OF our march, prevented my
gaining much Information on the subject. The
shai; is sunk Of n square form. ard supported
hy wooden frames; and a, about the depth of
50 feet, tho oil is generally to he met with,
ficatng on tho water which cSudcs from the
sides Of the well. When drawn, it is separated
from the water and transported in jars to the
river side, where boats are constantly employ
cd IN distributing ii 10 tho different parts oftho
empire. The oil is Of a dirty green color; il
has a considerable degree Of consistency, and
most offensive and penetrating odor, and is
used by tho Burmahs for lamps, coarse paint
ing, and occasionally as an external medicine.
"Pagalim New is the only town we saw du-
ring our stay in Ava which possessed any ino
monuments OF antiquity, to show to the present
age the splcndor and grandeur which had for
morly existed in that country. II was impossi-
bic to move few yards without seeing the ri-
ins Of religious cditices. Some appeared TO
have been splenddy carved and adorned; 9TH
ers, from the lapse OF time, had fallen SO much
TO decay, that they were scarcely distinguisha-
bic from the adjoining rubbish. Here you
would SEQ q nroudcring arch still retaining its
tottering position by the aid Of natural liga-
lures Of strong parasitic plants, and sheltcring
under its venerable cover mutilatcd image OF
Gaudon; whilst in lis vicinity the ruins of
large vaultcd chambers and galleries could be
distinctly traced; and, strcwcd over the plain,
many iinmense pagodas, whose stable con-
struction had withstood the ravagcs OF age and
Of the clements, lowered over the minor cdi-
fees, and appeared like SO many magnificent
ma,tsoleums Indeed tho whole scene, from
the peculiar style of architecture, and dreary.
dosolatc appearance OF the temples, seemed
like gigantic burial ground"
Here temple called the Shoezcgoon. like
the famous Sliocmadoo," is said to have
been thu work ofsupernatura agency. Some
centuries past, when this building was com
taenced, the workmcn employed in its cOns'ruc-
ton, who were advancing but slowly in their
Undertaking, were surprised ono morning on
Observing that although they had ceased their
iabours at sunset, a most extraordinary addi-
,on had been made to the edicc during the
night; and, on inquiry, tho actors in this deed
could not be heard OF; every one disclaimcd
any knowledge OF the transaction, which it
was supposed none but immortal hands could
have pcrformed; and the workmon again re-
sumed their labor, leaving OF, as before, at
dusk. Tho next N ornipg the same prodigy
appeared, day after day their wondering eyes
were gratifcd with the gradual increase Of the
building; and at last il attained its present form,
when both the visible and invisible architects
ceased from their tolls, leaving reputation of
great sanctity attached ID this singular edi-
flee exceedingly worthy Of remark, as contain
ing a great variety OF Burman paintings a
vauIted gallery, enclosing a small chamber,
and covered by a pinnacled roof, formed this
Burman Louvre; and on tho walls in fresco,
were described numerous groups of figures,
pursuing different occupations, and crowded to-
gcther as thick as possible. Here you see a
number Of women carrying their offerings to
temples little further on, is a river, with boats
plying on the surface, and fish, larger than the
men, putting their heads above the water
Another space represents group Of prisoners,
with their hands tied behind their backs, wait
ing tho approach Of an iniuriatod elephant sent
TO destroy them; and a line Of soldiers, drawn
up with great regularity, some armed with
rpelrs, others with muskets, oilers an excellent
spccimen Of the Burman warriors. Indeed the
y,rious figures portrayed on the walls cannot
DO enumerated: elephants, camcls, horses,
icer, dogs, mon, and women, were thcrc pro-