The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-02
BURMAH's BURNED CAPITAL.
A Description of Mand alsy Written
by a Recent Visitor

A Description of Msnd alsy Written
by Recent Visitor.
| A dispatch in the MORNING NEWS of yes
terday from Rangoon, India, told Of the de.
struction by fire of an area of two miles
ard half in the city of Mandalay. the
capital of Burmah. Thousands of persons
were rendered homeless, and relief works
will be necessary.
Mandalay is six miles north of Amara-
poora and about a mile from the Irrawaddy
river. 1t is 386 miles by rail from Rangoou.
The railroad was opened to Mandalay from
Toungoo February, 1889.
A recent visitor writes OF it:
THE town is rapidly decaying, and its
trade is steadily diminishing, Founded as a
residence of the King of Burmah, enjoying
no advantages Of position, and mainly de-
pending on the lavish expenditure of the
palace, it ceased to have any reason for ex-
istence whom the Burmese monarchy fell
The recent repeal of the ruby regulations
has temporarily revived trade in Mandalay
by allowing its principal business to be
again carried on. Prior TO the repeal of the
ruby regulations more than half the people
Of Maudalay were directly or indirectly en-
gagged in smuggling rubies. The population
is about so 900.
The surrounding country, before the hill
is reached, on the foot of which the capital
is stretched out, is beautiful. Ruins Of
three capitals are picturesquely scattered
about on every little level piece Of ground.
On the terraces of rocks which rise on both
sides, pagoda or a temple is built, all of
the same kind, yet infinitely varied. Gil
gantic lions guard the entrance, and Budd-
hists sleepily stare at the visitor.
IAN this is overshadowed by old bo-trees,
under which the priests. immovable and
calm, read the sacred books, while thou
sands of Golden bells from the parasol-
shaped roofs ring fitting accompaniment
to the grand, melancholy picture. The few
forts which, by the kings command, were
built in the district by an italian general
look prosaic In this surrounding; they might
become dangerous, but there are no cannons
In them, and they are only fortified to-
ward the river.
"The real town of Mandalay-the city
In the center Of which stands the kings
palace, lies isolated inland, while the ma
jority of the population have settled down
in the plain near the river. The streets are
wide dusty, several miles long and not over
safe; pagodas everywhere, and round them
large converts with beautiful carvings
here and there low, ricketY brick house,
and then again long rows of pole dwellings,
ar tistically constructed of split bamboo,
and below them dogs, pigs and vultures in
search of fOod-that is the picture of Man
dalay outside its walls.
Outside every town gate there is tree
with large bronze plate, bearing the fol-
lowing inscription: This is the capital and
residential city Of Maudalay, founded in
1856 by the Mendoon king, etc, etc. Then
follow the instructions to those who enter to
conduct themselves decently and morally,
otherwise the reader is requested to look at
painting on the opposite wall, where the
fortunes and punishment Of those are de-
picted who had not obeyed the royal orders.
1.-THE gates are painted bright red and
richly gilded: the town is divided into
regular squares by the roads which run
from each of the twelve gates to the one
opposite There is hardly sign of life in
the city; no temple. no bazar, nothing but
dull, oppressive silence. That is MAudalay
within the city walls"