The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-13
From the Milton, Pal States .4dvoeot.
Extract of letter from Rev. Eucenio r,
caid. Baptis: Missionary in Burmah. to
the Editor, dated

4,
"This city is situated on the Eas; side os
the MortaSon river, about 80 miles from the
ocean, in latitude I6 North. The river !.
about two miles wide, and the town stretch.
: es along its banks about 6 miles. Nearly
all the houses are built of bamboo, and the
sides and roof covered with the leaves of
the Palm tree, except few Persian and
Chinese merchants, who have houses of
wood. Every thing wears the appearance
OF savage rudeness-the streets swarminG
with children entirely naked, and their pa.
rents not half covered. Just back of the
town is high ridge, on the Top of which
are Pagodas and Idols, some immensely
large, together with all the other ensigns Of
heather superstition. A little distance from
the town is a valley overhting with forest
trees, in which they burn the dead.
The most pumpons display of heathen
grandeur that have witnessed, is in initia-
ting man into the Priesthood, and convey.
ing The bodies of the opulent dead to the
valley ofdfy bones. when young man is
to be indhcted into the priestly office, he ~
mounted upon horse richly caparisoned,
large golden umbrella held over his head.
great numbers Of Young men gorceously
ciad leading the horse, walking by his side,
and following after--then follow great train
OF females, all bearing upon their heads boxs
es IN the form of an urn, filled with flowers.
iruit, and sweatmeats. All these attendants
ny gestures and words, pay to the Young
novitiate the same respect and adulation
which is supposed to be due to an EASTERN
monarch. Thus after parading the town
Tor some lime, the young man dismo0Tts.
throws away his glittering apparel. puts on
The yellow cloth, and enters the Keuo1l,e.
This is called remuneration of the world.
Priests are forbidden to marry, or have any
worldly property. They are the most ie-
norant, lazy and immoral class among the
heathen.-
When Burrnan Of some wealth dies, a
great parade is made in getting his body to
the place OF burning. A bier immensely
large is formed of bamboo on the top or
this is marle sort of pedestal Is or 20 feet
high-the coffin is then placed on the lap of
this pedestal, and the coffin is covered with
gold leaf, and hung round with tassel work
"a priest stands beside the coffin, and the
whole Is torne by young men dressed for
the occasion; mutitudes follow in process
sion.
In reference to marriage, l believe they
have little ceremony about it. But, sir, that
which ELECTS the most attention from the
phlianthropist is the moral condition of the
people. Here ale no barriers-no restraints;
Depravity here seeks no covering-borrows
no specious name-bpt walks abroad in the
most open, public manner. Crimes the
most hateful and degrading, are visited
with no public odium. The crimes which
cover man with infamy and disgrace, are
the eating Of pork and contempt of idols.
1t would be immodest to write what | hear
the Burrnans talking, every time go along
the streets of this town. Oh sir, / pity the
man that feels no compassion for the heath
en- There is no such thing as merality.-
Their political situation is degrading and
oppressive in the extreme. The king is alb
solute-the people are slaves: Public off,
GERS are constantly plundering and enslavinp
the peoples All is abject Indebtedness.
The sentiment of Justice never peryades the
bosom of Pagan; and the attribute ofmer-
cy never visits these abodes of miseru and
death. Here is field Of wretchedness. but
the gospel is all powerful in purifying these
turbid waters, and ere long the barren
wastes of India will become fruitful field.
During the year past this mission has
been greatly blessed-about 100 Papans
have been redeemed from their dumb idols:
and more than million of tracts and Dor
lions of the Scriptures have been distribu
ted, and are now in circulation in different
parts of the Empire. Soon after nv arrival
in Burmah began to preach to the Eng
lish soldiers, twice on fine Lords day, and
twice during the week. For four months
past we had special season of refreshing
i have baptized SO, and others have
been examined. In reference to ardent
spirits, about two-thirds of this number
have come out on the side of total absti.
hence: this is thing unheard of before in
British army-fol, with hardly an excep-
ton, both officers and privates IRE habituar
drunkards."
SAMUEL HoUsToN. The punishment
which the House of Representatives finally
determined to nfict upon this person for
the contempt and violation of their priyilep.
es, would hardly iniuce US to believe, that
those privileges were deemed of much i'm
portance. The whole affair from its begin-
ming 10 its termination, reminds US of an in
cident related in Tudor's Life of Otis. A
mild-tempered and venerable person, who
lived in State-street in this city in l770, was
drawn by curiosity to the door of his house.
on the evening of the fifth Of March, when
the British soldiers were firing on the peo-
pie. While quietly standing there to watch
the issue of the conflict, he unluckily re-
ceived brace of bullets through his arm.
Reused to towering height of Indignation
by such uuceremonous treatment-"I de-
clare" he exclaimed, " those fellows ought
to be talked to!"-Boston paper.
1t has often been said that men, who prac.
tlce the use Of ardent spirits as drink are
liable TO be. and frequently are, reduced 10
such slate OF wretchedness that thev hold
nothing on earth-not even life itself--so
dear as "a glass ofrumn There are nuuer-
Gus instances on record which furnish proof
positive of this fact.
An instance is related by the Journal Of
Humanity, Of female, mise rable victim
OF Intemperance, who short time since
scraped together q few rags and went TO a
grog shop to obtain supply of rum. The
weight being short, she unhestatinelv tore
the sleeves from the only garment she hat
in the world to make up the deficiency =
The Imagination can hardly picture to itsel
a more degrading scene than this, but W,
cease TO wonder at it when we consider tn,
influence of the deadly poison over the rea
son and appetite.
SAeAcIrY OF AN ELEpHANr. al wa
one day feeding the poor elephant lwh,
4 was SO batbarously put to death at Excite
'Change) with potatoes, which he took Oh
Of my hand. One ofthem, round one, fel
nm tho 2onr iuct o,,t of tho .a..h of his nre.