New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

bracinq the countries of Burmah, Siam. Campoai"
and Cochin China, opens field OF remarkaoio -
torest 10 the observing and intelligent uN'
Among the numerous valuable reports from ,ia' ui'
tant part of the world, the narrative OF MI
may claim high rank for the variety anu
iveness of its information, the CONSISTENCY anu "p
narcnt correctness of its statements ana JUS rare
,r,,vor of ,,arbio description. The journey, upon
which the work was founded, was accomplished IN
che years ls7l72, forming part Oh al eAeNsl'e 'oui
IN southern and eastern ASIA,
Irrop arriving at Rangoon, in the Spring OF ISL
Mr. Vincent at commenced his studies ot hu-
man nature. for which he seems to possess a re-
rarkahe aptitude, among the native Burmese popu-
latiou, lie found them supplemented race
frank and courteous indolent in their habits,
fond of amusement deIghtlng in gay coors, friendly
with one another, and hOsptable to strangers
They lead quiet life, smoking, eosspng' and
sleeping throughout the day, and singing to Wild
music Through half the night. Their costume is
model Of primeval simplicity. Both sexes wear
short white Jacket. The men wind piece of red or
yellow silk around the hips, while the women re-
joice in square piece of the same material, which
rs wrapped around the body but slightly fastened
as TO open at every STEP Both men and women leave
their hair long; the former gather it in bunch on
the top of the head the latter comb it sraieht back
from the forehead and tie it in knot behind. Mr..
Vincent deScants on the diet of the Burmese with
certain unction which shows that he is an amateur
without prejudces the subject of good eating
The general food is rice This is the staple OF every
meal. Besides this, their toOthsOme mena includes
salt fish, preparation of preserved fish which has
arrived at a high epicurean odor, and variety of
fruits. Bctel-nut is extensively used Smoking is
universal among all ages and both sexes. Burmese
boys begin to puff cheroots OF fragrant tobacco in
come cases before they have left their mothers milk
The men are lazy TO a fault, and lounge stretched
upon the ground, while their wives at work IN
the household. The marriage knot is loosely tied.
Ii two persons grow tired of each others cDnJugal
society they light two candles shut up the house,
sit down, and wait quietly until they are burned
out The one whose candle is consumed first gets up
at once and leaves the house forever taking nothing
but the clothes that worn at the time. Every
thing else becomes the property of Ithe other party
Like most American tourists, Dir. Vincent aspIred
TO the honor of being presented at court and makes
visit to the capital for that purpose. His wishes
were fully g1atfed tine king allows him gracious
Interview and indeed much taken with the
youthful traveller that hema, p i'm the most iiatter-
,iHg offers to tempt him 10 pa tract his visit, or
become a resident of the country.
After wai,ing five or ter minutes summoned to
q small plIared portcc, open on two sides. Al our
backs there golden door leading to another cham
her and before was large green balzo curtain eX-
which was some few feet above Ia the center Of
this screen was an opening about 10 teet slare mere
N red velvet cushion ana pair OF s1Nermounted
binoculars land upon the floor where there was AN
elegantly carpctod staircase connecting the two cham
beers. Tue roof supported by immense pillars,
grouped around the bases Of two OF which were the
Ioyai umbrellas and other insignia. No one save the
King Is allowed possess ichtte umbrella, and
princes Of the blood allowed 10 have too umbrellas
lgilt with poles 10 or 10 feet length attacheCl
carried above them ny thcir servants when they walk
Ell rpie IN pnDic-minlsters but one There here were
about nail dozen princes ~ hc audience thainoer
aOug the htirappaTeDt, an Intelligent as wei as
handsome young man, plainly dressed, accepting pair
of immense cluster uiauloI earrings. our phIS-.or
there several others whom We found waitng-was
The Tight then came The YGU-Ahttcce,a- WOon, then
another minister then myself, next AIR. senaKo, thea
them were two Portuguese Roman CahOic missionaries.
and then omWercal gentlemen upon the extreme
ieiG; beside. these IN the rear, dozen
clerks, who were paying Their respects TO His
offering large basket OF frut IN support of his loyal
feelings oar presents were displayed before u.s. placed
ON thc Dtte wooden stands about "a foot in hight The
natives AL pr0sraung themselves Nat upon their
stomachs their MOSES nearly touching the carpets
and their eyes caet uo"n III most at9eot ana serVe
manner -, -. - 49, An,
boOms-taps on large tom-tom proDaoiy-and tnen
all OF becoming sheut, mo King appeared,
sgains; velvet cushion, and only partially facing the
audience ~ the time one al Tie queens entered
water) and cup floor before aim. The KING is
1ers, an exc ,edIng cTaity-lOOkng gentleman, o.
wears OF axe. His tniI aud Was ted In the
usual burmese knot tine head nigh at the crown,
showing "scf-esteem," large, aud the eyes were
closely set. iudcauug cunning tf we are 10 believe
expressive vitality and physical power and the face
close shaver, c4cSrlLg tlsh JIAeA HlstaeAe MS
dsss was very plain and simple. consisting merely OF
white engie, white linen Jacket, ana SILK ptfsO
cioth worn around the hips and tlghs there were no
ornaments ~ the though their lObes contained
hoics nearly N diameter, which did not improve
The expression OF his cDuntenanCe very materially Ills
Male sty frst took up opera glass though were
not more twenty feet distant and surveyed us IN
very grave lelsurciy manner cnuing with hOur-n
OF tNe gleaS as ~ ~ ,caG aiG oIT ~ mes bmsness
inp INtQ & II
~ TINS done in loud, drawing style, and con
eluded wIth sort OF supplcatlng moan.
Majesty then began tho conversation through the
Hn,sier aid my Clinese fticnd as interpreters
hfer me usual questions concerning NY business
residence travels, the KING sdd lie wished me 10
a Great part atty for Americans, aud wished them to
come ana cOiOnizc IN MS commons" But a
word preliminary II seems tlHt nad tHe holOi 10
he the rs: American presented at the Court OF Ava
excepting q ulechantal engineer, who was in His
dajesJys employ twelve years ago. and that the
King m ms 4siuieness graciuusly thought
st ras, that wishing Burma tor poucdl purposes,
and cons -quenty had some influence with as well as
instrucl ions from the Government at home IL IN
vain that ! protested being "a sHBDe traveller, vis
1ung different oOuutres -or the purpose OF stndying
their geography. cGIdte. productions; the people
and customs, government, rehgOn, laws
lanruage literature industries, ana CoiumeIce-and ali
maj had Travelled twelve thousand miles more
especially pay respects 10 the King OF AVA ana
10 see the wonderful white elephant, abOut which hao
heard and read so mch III my owl country ont 10 no
purpose. quite evident HIS Majesty thought
10 make tue proper authorities at
home did u he alone suhcient io MS purposes
for he s ne would keep in Mandalay while wrote.
and until an answer came from America. eh
This 1 demwrred Of course, when HIS Majesty
sand n 1 would remain ne wouc give Inc a house,
Iivipg ana as many Burmese wtreS as icShed
"a rather tempting offer, Tor the women OF the
theTuore, would - make my fortune. was iast
AecO iuilCh Interested aud sngDlIy excited
we'll His Majesty WISHED 10 maze arc SoY nnid
be indispensable Thus were aiiIslng nets spread