, 1874-05-10
FARTHER iNDlA.


FARTHER INDIA.
THE LAND OF TIRE WHITE ELEPHANT; A NAE.
Ar1vE oF TnAvEL Ii BURMA, SLAM. Cocn1S-CursA,
ETC By FRASk v1SoEsr. ia. With Mustr1uons.
New York Harper Bros. 1874.
M1. Vincent has given us very readable book
about countries little known, ind which are out
OF the ordinary route Of travel. Coming from
Madras to Rangoon, he journeyed up the IRA
yaddy, the fourth river in sizo in the world, to
Mauda1ay, the Capital OF Burma. Returning
thence, and skirting tho coast Of the Ma1ayan
Peninsula, calling at Penang and Singapore, he
proceeded to Bangkok, tho Capital Of Siam; and,
crossing the country TO the eastward, once more
reached the coast at Saigon, the Capital OF
(French) Cochin-China.
Thesa are eminently proper countries to travel
in. The pcople-a quiet, orderly folA--otrer no
impedlmcnt and demand no tribute. Much Of
the journey. being performed by rivers and in
tersecting zals, is OF that easy description that
requires little exertion from the traveller. except
for defense against mosquitoes. Rice. bananas,
fowls, md Manila cLeroots are everywhere to be
had in profusion. The presence Of few Euro
peans at the ports insnres the ability to procure
the necessary clarot, sherry, and cosnao and,
with three grains Of quinine each morning in
ones coffee, immunity against feyers Is secured.
Moreover. Mr. Vincent seems to have been on
excellent terms with the ruling powers, and was
favored with audiences "a by the Kings OF Ava.
S:nn, and Cambodia. Something Of Yankee,
too, we judge; for, with admirable 4fnesse, he
preeents these august and sovereign rulers with
gold-mounted (washed7) uasnifying glasses, ro-
volyers, etc.; Majesty, in it's turn. presenting
him with sapphire rings and golden pomado~
boxes. "plcesantly and we'll suited one might
journey in aland where the supreme power grant-
cd to the traveller the RESOURCES Of On Empire.
Elephants, puffaloes, with bullock-carts. By land
house boats, With stroug armed rowers, by water;
and rations unlimited OF rice, fish, bananas,
fowls, eggs, nnd caeroots. The White Elephant
is, however, a fraud" White eyes, with FORE
head and ears spotted white; the rest OF the
body of dirty, soled, coffee color. But the
spirit Of Buddhn inhabits them willis undergo
ing transmigration, and to the Buddhist they arc
deemed sacred next to Royalty. Their possea-
sion insures pence and prosperity. their doath is
national calamity with Royal ceremonies are
they attended in life, and upon funeral-pyZo
Of aromatic wouds burned after DEATH
Buddhism reigna supreme in Farther India
+
above the dwellings, Of tho poor and tho palaces
Of the mobiles; the sun reflects from their gi|ded
surfaces, and within tho images Of Buddlla are
innumcraLle.
Bangkok las been called tho "Vcnice Of the
East" for its thoroughlores are canals. Its
houses are built upon piles, or hoat uron the
stream in rafts Which extend for several miles
along the river; aad it Is said that
there are aome 1900 Of these floating
shops and dwellings,. Boats nre tho
universal means Of communication few
roads have only recently been built bY
the King. From The summit Of the principal
pagoda in Bangkok tie view is Of the city.
mostly concealed by virgin forest Of almost
density; while beyond is q waving
sea of cocoa-nut and bcte1-nut palms, fields Of
rice, aud Jungle. Much Of the country is low,
and overhowed by the rains.
Peculiar arc the customs Of the people. Sim
p1e-rinded, indo!ent, fond Of amusement
and gay-colo1ed apparel, and hospitablo to
A short white jacaet, piec5
Of silk OF cotton cloth worn Rrourd the
hips, and falling to the ground, both sexes
ard the males tattoocd upon
tho thighs such is their apparel. Holes In tho
Lotes OF tho ears are bored, which, being often
m inch in diameter, aerye to hold ornaments.
When not thus 10 use. they afford convenient
for cheroots, bouquet-holdere, or any
small article in frequent use. Smoking is uni
yersal aud continual among both se1es and all
sges. Babes ut the breast alternate tho nour-
shment OF *.Eature's Nile" with puts and pulls
1t their cheroota. The laws Of marriage arc
peculiar, and divorces are easily accomplished.
Two persons firing OF each others So
,iety, enter their huts, light two
candles, aid quietly await their burning.
The one whose candls burns out first gets up
md leaves, taking nothing but the clothing he or
,he may happen to have On: ali else becomes the |
property OF the other.
Among this people, so 1ndolent, thoughtless,
Ind incapable of e1ertion aud effort, who live !
or to-day, and 20 down to the future without q |
houghs or idea which shall continue, there ex- |
sts the eraudest ruin which the world knows. |
The ruins Of Augkor and the great Naekon Wat
,wu no superior, hardly = rival, in exist |
'nce. Built no ono knows when or BY |
yhom; tradition aud history alike unable
o throw suy light upon them; in beauty OF ar-
hitecture, so]idity OF construction, and magnih-
auce and elaboroteness Of carving and sculp-
havo come down to our time With
nough OF their original pet1ect!ou TO ave and
mazo the beholder.
Rising from an outer wall half mile square,
eached by causoway 900 feet in length,
,ayod with alabB of stone 3 feet by 2,-the main
difce GOO by 800 feet in size. raised on three
er1aces, and surmounted by central pagoda
50 feet In height, with four others $50 feet in
eight at the anSlos.-is the Nagkon Wat All,
0 the very roof, is of stone, laid without
emeut, and so closely fitting that the joints
IN scarcely be discerned. The quarry from |
;hich It Was built is 50 miles distant, and tho
nmeuse bow1dcrs Of volcanic rock could only,
is supposed. have been transported By water.
a outer gallery OF sculpture, consisting Of half
mile Of continuous pictures cut in tdsso-reliero
nor, sandstone slabs six feet in width. repte-
nnts subjects taken from u,e Ranayond, the
ansc1it epic poem Of India On the walls are
non elephants and in char3ots, foot
,tdioru hoofs unahnretv f7ivfnitiea treaa |