The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-01-13


esting anecdotes of the Burmese
and the manners and customs of
their country. The nation is fabu-
lously rich in minerals and precious
stones, all of which are found in
the country in great profusion,
except diamonds. The rank of off.
Gals is Indicated by the color of the
umbrellas carried. The stick of
these umbrellas is six to eight feet
long, the shade or top Is four to six
feet In diameter: such an umbrella
is carried by runner and held over
the head OF the official. riding or
walking. The emblem of ROYALTY
and the high priest of the kingdom
Is white, and so sacredly is it guar
ded from infringement that death is
the penalty for any, save the king
or high priest, carrying white umo
brella or reposing under a white
canopy or baldachin. The chief
ministers and the twelve governors
(meng or WON of the kingdom have
golden umbrellas, to which honor
and privilege Colonel Sladen, DIR.
Marfels and DR.. Bredemeyer arose
In very short time. The emblem
OF noDlemen (moO matt is yellow
SILK, and OF army and court officers
(a-ya-she) brown. AS all carry UNI
brelias, or, IN travelling, a large
green blanket with red sun in the
centre, spread over the roof of a boat
or cabin thereof, the rank of the in
dlvldual is readily distinguished,
and when one of higher rank speaks
to an inferior the latter falls upon
his face and buries his brow in the
dust. No other Europeans before
had been accorded The dignity of a
golden parachute. Among the min
listers and governors the distinction
of rank was designated by the wear
ing of golden chain from four to
twenty-five times around the neck,
falling down upon the breast. DIR.
Bredemeyer had the privilege of
wearing a golden chain twelve
times around his neck. Before the
king all bow down in the dust. He
holds receptions daily, from early
till late, sitting in a solid golden
door way, assembled to by stairway
of six golden steps. This door forms
the division between his chambers
and the rest of the palace. He is
waited upon by his numerous wives
the Oldest and first of which is
a1een-and by eunuchs. The wives
in turn are waited upon by the eua
nuchs and the wives of the
court officials, from the min
lister of state down. Every night
one-half of the number of ministers,
palace officers and their wives are
on guard and sleep in the palace.
In the great audience nall sit on
each side of the golden stairway six
artillerists with burning lunts be-
hind six small loaded cannons facing
the audience, and facing above
said artlllerists like number at the
back oil the audience. First in line
is the Crown Prince, then the other
Princes, then ministers and so on.
All have ID remain until permitted
to leave lunch is served 10y eunuchs
at noon to the audience, His Ma
jesty looking on. All arms and
shoes are left at the palace steps.
On great occasions the King walks
in or under his robe of state, the
same being carried by four officers
of state on golden sticks, which hold
the robe just above the royal Shout
ders. The robe is heavy with gold
ornaments and precious stones. The
King uses only golden vessels set
with precious stones. Daily robes
are only used once by the King !;
then, as sign of royal favor, given
to his favored officers from the
minister down. Each of such daily
royal robes is of silk and valued at
from $50 to 800 rupees. This robe
consists of piece of silk six by nine
feet, and an Indian muslin jacket.
The King must be kept informed on
everything that happens, but all
that does happen must be good,
and pity for the one who has bad
report; his chance is the thrust of a
lance thrown by a royal arm. All
reports are written with slate or
steel pencil on prepared rice paper
and the observer can witness in the
ante chambers the officials busy in
correcting by rubbing out and in
sorting other characters more suited
to His Majesty.
The punishment of death is in
f1icted on all who are caught gam
bling, smoking opium or drinking
brandy. If this has been modified
this affiant does not know.
No male child over 10 years old
Is permitted to reside in the Kings
or his wives quarters, but must at
that age emlgrate to one of the
Kings and Princes numerous
palaces situated in the inner city OF
Mandalay. Mandalay is laid out
like Salt Lake City. All the streets
run at right angles and are fully as
broad and dusty as our streets. 1t
is divided into the royal palace, the
inner and the outer city. The
royal palace contains the Kings
quarters (gJded all over inside and
out,) ali the government Offices
mint. arsenal and the barracks OF
the Kings own guard. These sol
diers are born designated soldiers
of that guard; they are used
as spies and royal defenders
and messengers; they must be ad-
mitted anywhere ana everywhere