The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-22

10 the west ana northwest by DenBal
and Assam. is doubtless destined ere I
long to fall, more or less quietly, into
British hands. The Irrawaddy is not
only its sole navigable outlet, but almost
the sole practicable commercial outlet
of the country. English steamers now
ascend this river twice week TO Mande-
ley, and twice month to Bahmo, where
they deposit goods destined te find
their way through the valley Of Tapeng
TO Yunnan.
The Burmese believe themselves de-
seconded from Hindoo emigrants coming
from the borders of the Ganges; lut,
even if this be partially true, the in
coming tribes are now so completely
mixed with the tribes previously inhab-
iting the country that no trace of the
Hindoo type remains. Whether called
Burmese, Shans or Karens, they have
the characteristic Chinese or Turanian
features. Sir Arthur Phayre believes |
them to be Thibetans who have removed |
southward. Their features and their |
build, as well as the conformation and |
roots of their language, strangely re-
semble those of the Thibetans.
The Burmese are we'll built, witt
broad shoulders and strong muscles,
black and abundant hair, but rather
short legs. They are extremely lazy.
Living IN country where moderate
labor would insure comparative riches,
they only work sufficiently to procure
food and satisfy taxes. To dance, to
smoke, to chew betel, and to be present
at theatrical performances are the Sc
rious business of life with most Bur-
mese. II here and there one is ambI-
tious he becomes the hnmble courtier
of some rich mandarin, and stops at
nothing to curry favor. Cringing and
submissive to superiors, insolent and
contemptuous to interiors, the Burmese,
as usually painted by travellers, are not
models OF humanity. Yet there is an
other side TO the picture: they are ac-
knowledged TO be apt, ready anu sober;
and capable, should opportunity occur
through a change of government, Of
becoming good agliculturists, mer-
chants and artisans. They excel in
wood carving, have much power OF COM
position, and are OF ioylal and happy
disposition.
Discrimination Is 80 much a part of
their character that one can never know
what q Burmese really things. Men
and women arrange their han coquet-
ishly, and the latter wear brightly sol
ored flowers in their long tresses, The
women are reputed the most reserved
and chaste to be found in the far Fast
Yet they enjoy much liberty, passing
their time dressing and caring for theil
bodies, instead of in the hard labol
which SO often falls 70 woman's lot.
married woman retains her rights to he
dover, and, il divorced, takes with he
also half the goods acquired during
the term OF married life. Polygamy il
recognized and permitted, yet NOS
Burmese have Only one wife. An ole
law, falling into disuetude, forbids tn,
men to marry before the age of %
Piety is carried to excess among thi
people. Many will spend all that the.
possess in decorating paSoda or found
ing a monastery, and live without n
anna in miserable cabin, happy an
proud in the idea that they are benefaC
tois of their country, and with no en-
ployment except the care of the tempt
they have built. No people is so fon
o. theatrical performances as this
Scarce a man eau be found who has nc
at least once in his lie acted part i
play. The piece is acted out OF door
in the evening, and all who choose a
tend without payment. Some rich ma
pays for all, and receives his friends /
a little pavilion constructed for the pu
pose. On the announcement OF such
fete business is suspended; stalls, pr
sided over BY young girls, spring up ;
the sides Of the road and do bris
h,.g In aifr aDlras frTtitu N
sweetmeats and crowds OF me
women and children flock to the spo
The Burmese do not applaud or hurra
lay, the prima dona Of Mahdelay, sing
or when Moung Tha-Byah. the famO
maTionette Snowman, gives "a seanc
there is no noise in the immense crow
and the intense silence is quite as il
pressive tribute as the noisy BRAY
and clapping of hands indulged in
TeuJon and Latins. We cannot a
preciate the Brumese plays, for we ha
not been saturated from infancy wit
the prodiglcus adventures Of Buddhi
yet we can see that the dispair of Il
deceived lover, the majesty of sovt
eign, the bestial fury of drunka
are marvilously portrayed, and can q
ullI6 lllt COdI5b tlttlIS anu SlOltSJ
centortiOns OF the clever Glow
There is no green room the acto
male and female, perform all the deta
of ther toilet before the audience, W
amuse themselves by crlticising
personal appearance and gestures of
actors. The play lasts all night, a
most of the spectators sit through
entire performance seated on the IN
they have brought with them. L
marionette Snowman is the rival of
actor. The performance takes pl
on platform of bamboo, about eli
feet long. bounded by a certain, beh
which the players concealed. One S
of thesmall stage represents col
with throne, gilded parasOls and OF
signs of royalty, while the other, set v
some branches of trees, is intended
represent a forest. The puppets
about three feet high, carved In W
and luXuriOusly co5tumed. n bant
musicians, with gOngs, cymbals, a
claiTonets and castanets, enliYens
representation. Mongolia. Byan, s
er and play writer as well as shown
has acquired such credit that his il
ments, when he plays the part Of pr
have become oracles. The King
given him the right to walk beneat
gilded parasol. Dances, regattas,
ing matches, bull and cock, III
and other entertainments Of
Burmese. Much business and pl
ure are carried on in DO
weddings and funerals often
place upon the rivers, and at night
ored lanterns and Bengal lights ma
brilliant SHOW.
The Karens are savage inhabitan
the mountains, yet are known ior
intelligence, courage and loyalty. I
traditions assert that they came or
ally from "a vast country of pll
where the wind rolls the sand as it