Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-04
CALLING ON THE QUEEN OF
BURMAH.
Notes of an American Lady's Trip Up
the IrraWAddy.

the Irrawaddy.
DECEMBER 10, 1SSS.--At an early hour
a messenger came to the boat from the
Franciscan convent, at MandalaY, with
letter from Sister Theresa, Mother SUI
perior, containing the surprising intelil-
gence that the Queen wished to see the
American lady, aud directing me how 70
reach the convent. We set out little
alter 10 O'Clock. | was carried in pal
anquin, and my husband rode beside me,
carrying q covered basket in which was q
tray Of china, peTlumery, ETC., presents
for her majesty, and always dc regedef. AT
the convent Mother Theresa was awaiting
US, and with Sister Emilia, came out at
once in their bullock cart. and we pro-
ceeded en- cdUdlc0de to the great gateway
where we entered the crowded city. The
palace is within a walled or stockaded
enclosure in the centre space. Ii faces
the east, and is not only very complex,
but Is surrounded on all sides but the
eastern with the houses OF the princes,
ministers, and court officials. At the
arched entrance my husband had to leave
me, as he was not an elect guest. The
royal guards were as thick as files, and
were a comical-lOoking set, clothed in
red, with brass helmets, and carrying
long lances or spears. After a very short
walk we reached some steps where some
guardsmen came forward and politely
unbuttOned and removed our shoes,
pointing meanwhile at the slender gilded
spire OF the palace, which rises over the
place of the throne, and is supposed to
cast a shadow tnat will paralyze feet that
come within it and remain shod. To say
the least it Is odd enough to be forced to
90 few yards in ones stockings, but 1t
cannot be helped. We walked through
several halls or passages, having to
turn aside from the great hall OF audience,
and finally to enter upon terrace which
opened into the palace. There we were con-
Quoted to a small apartment, the chamber
of a court lady who fills the position of
royal Observation-Disclosures. This person
is OF Irish birth, and came up from Ram
COON, where she has been "Sairey
Camp" of several years practice. We
found her barefOoted, of course, aud gOr-
geous in silk, velvet and diamonds. She
entertained US an hour, and dilated espe-
cially on the royal baby, that is about
five weeks old, and the second-bOrn of
Thebaw. Presently a bell rang and we
were called to the thrODe-rOOm, This Is
a large and lofty apartment, supported
by colorado Of heavy gilt pillars, with
gliding on the carved ceiling and walls.
and the doors crusted so heavily as to give
the effect of solid gold. Numerous mir
rOrs are placed all around the room, and
carpets, used to sit upon. Here found a
bevy of women--princesses and maids-of-
honOr-sitting and waiting to have a look
al the foreign lady. The Interpreter was
Sister Emilia, who is a Burmese scholar,
and through whose offices the women
showed me much courtesy. They chat
tered continually, asking no end Of per-
sonal questions-my name, my age, etc.
l fancy that they did not much
9nmTrn nrGaG
as / found them regarding it with
contempt. They were all richly attired
in the Burmese costume-the tGneia, or
skirts being Of tasteful though gorgeous
silk, and the snOwy-white cambria loose
jacket, open in front, disclosing a bright
satin band reaching from the waste to the
armpits, like a very broad sash, or a
square bodice. The neck was bare, except
of pearls, rubies and diamonds, and the
jacket sleeves were skin-tght. The hair
was dressed neatly q Ia ChinOise, with a
thick back coil, relieved with few fresh
flowers.
After an hour or more, the Queen came,
the women prOstrating themselves as she
entered. She is only - years old, I'M
usually fair for Burmese, and shy like a
school girl. She had been told that was
royal lady, or at least she was so made
to understand from the fact Of the state
ment that was san American, and that
every American is noble bOrnl' Sister
Emilia pr sented me, and l was seated In
front Of Her Majesty, she sitting on
purple velvet cushion. My presents were
mentioned, and maid handed me a
piece of silk-the Queens gift. This
fOrmality over, the Queen piled me
with questions, and INDUCED in general
conversation for perhaps ten or fifteen
minutes. Then the interview came TO an
end. When the Queen left, the Princesses
clustered around me, inquIring how l
liked their royal mistress. Poor things,
how they smiled az my praise! There are
about forty Of them, but they are not con-
cubines. All, | understand, are daugh-
ters of the late King, who had 63 wives
and ITO children. The sons were put out
OF Thebaw's way, except two who fled to
British territory, and the daughters were
immured like nuns in the palace, marriage
being prohibited them, and each one having
her separate dwelling in the palace en-
closure. The queen, who is the only wife,
treats them very kindly. In fact her
majesty is noted for her urbanity, this
being duein no small measure to the in
huence ofMother Theresa, who was her
malesty's music teacher, and who is all
powerful at the court. The queen has a
! piano, Weber grand, on which she plays
''sacred music" There are all sorts of
patent things in the palace-sewing ma
NuintHs u DdllUuHs bbONes a force pump.
etc.-but the piano is the only invention
| in use.
Returning to the room OF Mrs. Kelly,
we took some refreshments, and left for
the convent Immediately after. On our
way back ] rode in the bullock cart with
the sisters, from whom l had parted at
the convent gate, where my husband met
me. The piece Of SILK with which the
| royal lady hOnOred me | find TO be yer,
MAGNIFICENT I am told It took a year to
make it, and is hand-woVen in an elabo-
rate pattern.