The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-22
Burmah and tho Burmese,

Aho AtuBuOW VI OurmRn, CUT OF
from the sea by the provinces Of Peg,
and Aracan, both In the hands of til,
English, separated by mountain range,
from Siam and Yunlian, and bounded
to the west and northwest by .benRa
and Assam. Is doubtless destined er.
long to fall, more OF less quietly. mt
British hands. The Irrawaddy is no
only it's sole navigable outlet, but almos
the sole practicable commercial outlr
OF the country. English steamers nov
ascend this river twlo's week to Manda
ley, and twice month to Bahwo, where
they deposit goods destined te fint
their way through thu s's,2l1J Of Tap emf
to Yunnan. ID
The Burmese believe themselves de
scepded from Hindoo emlgr .nts COMING
from the borders of the Ganges: but
even ii this be partially true, tile in
coming tribes are now so com pletel1
mixed with the tribes previously inhab.
iting the country that no trace of the
Hindoo, type remains.t Whether caIled
Burmese, Shans or Karens, they have
the characteristic Chinese or ruraniat
features. Sir Arthur Phayre' believes
them to be Thibetans who have removed
scuthward. Their features and their
build, as we'll as the conformation and
roots Of their language, strangely re.
sembie those of the Thihetans.
The Burmese are we'll built. wi IN
broad shoulders aud strong MUSCLES.
black aud abundant hair. but rather
short legs. They are extremely lazy.
Living III country where moderate
labor would insure comparative riches
they only work sufficiently, 10 procure
food and satisfy taxes. TO dance, to
smoke, to chew betel. and to be present
az theatrical performanoes are the se
rious business of life with most Bur.
mese. If here and there one is amb,.
tious he becomes the bnmble courtler
OF some rich mandarin, and STOPS Of
nothing to curry favor. Crlnging and
submissive to superlors, 1nsoleut and
contemptuous to interiors, the Burmese.
as usually painted by travellers. IRE 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 change of government, of
becoming good agriculturists, mer-
chants and artisans. They excel in
wood carving, have much power of com.
position, and are of jovlal and happy
disposition.
Discrimination Is so much a part of
their character that one oan never know
what a Burmese really things. Men
and women arrange their halr couuet.
lshiy, and the latter wear brightly sol
cred flowers in their long tresses. The
women are .reputed, Z > most reserved
end ohnyte afssssSh ass he 4 yGfid ii the M.r. Nust.
Yet they enjoy much liberty, passing
their time dressing and caring tor their
bodies, instead of in the hard labor
which go often falls to woman's lot. A
married woman retains her rights to her
dover, and, il divorced. takes with her
also half the goods acquired during
the term OF married life. Polygamy IL
recognized aud permitted, yet most
Burmese have ouly one wife. An OLD
law, falling into dlsuetude, forbids the
men to marry before the age OF rs.
Plety Is carried to excess among thl.
p, opie. Many will spend all that they
POSSESS in decorating ps9ods or found.
ing monastery. and live without an
anna in miserable cabin, happy and
proud in the idea that they are benefao-
to.s of their country, and with no en-
ployment except the care of the temple
they have built. No people is 80 fond
o. theatrical performances aa this,
Scarce man eau be found who has not
at least once in his liie acted part IN
play. The piece Is acted ont OF doors
III the evening, and all who choose at
tend without payment Some non man
pays for all, and receives his trends IN
q little pavilion constructed for the pur-
pose. On the announcement OF suoh O
fete business is' suspended; stalls, pre-
sided over by young girls, spring up at
the sides Of the road, and DO u brisk
business in cigars, cakes, fruits and
sweetmeats aud crowds Of mon
women and children flock to tho spot.
The Burmese do not applaud or hurrah
like Europeans. When Yen daw man.
lay, the prima dona OF Mandelay, sings.
or when Moung Tha-B -Byah. the famous
marlonette Snowman, gives a seance,
there ~ no noise i'll the Immense crowd,
ana the Intense silence is quite as i'm.
pressive q tribute as the noisy bravos
and clapping Of hands indulgel In by
Teuton and Latins. We cannot ap-
preclate the Brumese plays, for we have
not been saturated from infancy with
the prodiglcus adventures Of Buddha :;
yet we can SEQ that tho dispair OF the
deceived lover, the majesty or a soverA
elgn, the bestlal fury OF a drunkard
are marvilously portrayed, and can ad-
mlre the COARSE chants and grot tesQ ue
cOntortions OF the clever clowns.
There is no green room the actors,
male and female, perform all tile details
OF ther toilet before the audience, who
amuse themselves by crlUiclsng :. the
personal appearance and gestures of tho
actors. Tie play lasts Ill night, and
most Of the spectators sit through the
entire performance seated on tho mats
they have brought with them. 1ne
marionetle Snowman Is the rival OF the
actor. The performance, takes place
on u platform Of bamboo, about y. mt
fest long, bounded by u certain, behind
which the players Concealed. Que side
or the small sage represents u court,
with throne, gilded parasols aud otner
signs Of royalty, While The other, set with
some branches Of trees, is intended to
represent forest. The puppets are
about three feet high, carved In wood
anu luxuriously costumeu. A band Of
muslcians, with gonss, cymbals, q bell.
clalronets and cAstanets, euilyeils Lie
representation. Moung.- Iha. byan, sing.
or and play writer as we'll US Snowman.
has acquired such credit that bis judg.
ments, when lie plays the part of prince