The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-04-29

The recent human sacrifice at Manda-
lay, in Burmah. has served to bring that
people prominently into notice. The
Burmese. indeed, are a people of few
vices and many virtues, and asquick to
catch new ideas and as apt to assimilate
them as the Japanese. Their civiliza-
ton, though imperfect, is in smany re-
spects high. In boldness and breath of
design, perfection of structure and mag
nihcence of decoration, some of their
temples and palaces reed hardly fear
comparison with European piles. Their
carving is exquisite, and shows vein
of humor almost Gothic in its grotesque-
ness. A war canoe, built for hundred
paddles, will be covered from stem to
stern with carving as minute as that on
an ordinary Chinese workbox, but far
more delicate in design and minute in
finish. They work admirably in gold
and silver, and their lacquered goods are
equal to those of Japan, while they are
| won derful founders of, abells up to
eighty tens weight and sixteen feet
across. Towards. the close Of the last
century they cast the largest bell but
cne In the world, bell weighing fully
ninety tons. Notwithstanding these ac-
complishments, the Burmese know
nothing of the act Of porcelain making,
nor arc they familiar with the use OF
paper The climate of their country,
though for part of the year moist and
depressing, is cooler than that Of India.
! The necessaries of life, labor and Sc r
vice are cheap, and the natural wealth
of the country is great. Teak, ironwood,
ebony and sandalwood abound, and
gold, silver, copper, ,gtin, lead, antjmony
and, iron are l. to be found almost by
scratching the surface while there is
an abundance of coal sufficiently good
I for smelling and manufacturing pur-
poses Petroleum is found every where,
/ and snitre, salt, limestone, and white
marble are plentiful. Though the sap
phire, rubty and emerald district at
present forms part of the royal
domain, there are quarries of jade and
| amber open 10 be worked. The people
smoke necessarily, but are strictly tenn,
perate; they are idle because q day
/ work providesa weeks expenses, though
when employed theyaa are industrious
asd Wiling Serious crimes are Fare
among them, and they have neither
beggars nor paupers; they are almOs 4
irish in their vivacity and sense OF fun
and quite English III their passion fo
such amuseme. its as horse-racing ane
4 boat-1acing, cock-6ghting, betting, box
ing, wrestling and football; and finally
they have a popular theater, where
the drama is relieved by the ballet
King The ebaw, the monster whose cruel
ties have made him infamous, is httl'
over twenty one years of age. lie rs
tall, we'll built young man. and. betol'
he was attacked by the leprosy, was fail
in complexion, with good forenead
clear, steady eyes, and q firm but pleas
ant mouth. His chin is full and some
what sensuallooking, but withai he wa
regarded, at the time Of his accession t
the throne, in the, fall of 1878, as
manly. frank-faced young fellow, VIII
would make q very acceptable sort OF
+ king from the oriental standpoint. ID
soon,- however, gave the people abund
4 ant cause to change their opini n o
him., Notwithstanding the, perseverin,l
way in which he went to work lat yea
| to dispose forever of all possible claim
ants to the throne, there is abundance 0
material left, to supply the vacanc,,
which will soon be reported, as four 9
4 his brothers. are alive in India, wher
. they have been cared for by the Angie
Indian Government ever since they he'
from their oan country to escape tn
J fate that befell fourteen of his othe
brothers.