Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-05

does his share. The orchestra is composed
of drums gongs, fiddies of all sizes and
other native string amt Mind instruments
marirnba of South America, being made of
cross pieces of bamboo graded according to
size. placed upon two long strips and struck
with little hammers or maiiets, like
harmonious music, but the people seem TO
enjoy Il, and their songs, nike those of other
orfentaia are without melody. Most of them
are monotonous chants in a minor key. The
dancing girls are similar tHfhe matches of
India ard their dancing consists of gestures
and posturing, intended to express senti-
ments ard emotions-a very slow sort of
DantOmime.
Among the crowds at HE stations are a
large humber Of women They show a
childish curiosity about foreigners They
wander UP and Gown the platform smoking
the ..whacking white cheroots' wrote you
about the other day, laughing. joking and
commentint, critically upon the appearance
and behavior of the passengers Every
body SEEM; to be smoking, even the chill
dren You often see cherOQts in the mouths
of little chaps not more than eight or ten
years cd.
There are many curious freaks among the
crowds alternatives who apparently pride
themselves upon their eccentric appearance.
We saw a nan who had one long black side
" hisker, which se was continually stroking.
The other side of his face was entirely bare.
The natives are evidently fond of sweet
meats,
peddlers Offering confectionery, candied
fruits and other refreshments at, the rail-
way stations, and they did a thriving trade
everywhere the train stopped.
The Rest Houses.
There are rest houses at every station
where strangers and tired people can sleep
and rest without charge, but they are en-
tirely empty Of furniture and without a
single comfort Patrons must furnish their
own bedding and pick UP their food where
they can Rest houses are provided Ia
every village, and often by the roadside
when the distances between towns are
greater than usual. 1t Is a beautiful be-
nevolence peculiar to Burma. You ocea-
sionaily find them In India, but they are
not general as they are here. And their
value Is illustrated by the. extent to which
The Burmese are a restless, uneasy peo-
pie, continually seeking diversions and
habitually visiting their relatives and
neighbors. Travelling costs little when they
go on foot, or in bullock carts, for they
take their food along with them and can
occupy rest houses without charge as long
as they please. Frequently when con-
genial party happens to gather in one of
having a good time. gossiping, singing.
playing games and practical jokes, and en-
tertaining each other entirely regardless
Of responsibilities that may rest upon
tnem. Ii is OIten asserted tLdI the BUR
man is the most irresponsible creature in
existence. and to judge from outward APP
pearances that must be true. He doesn't
care what happens so long as he has a
good time, and always expects other pee
pie to participate In his enjoyments.
The cattle Of Burma are enormous
creatures, similar to the carabao of the
Philippine Islands. They are awkward ard
slow, but are docile, hardy ana possess
enormous strength. The sheep ash goats
are twice the size of those we have In
America, and their wool Is long. thick and
coarse. You often see goats as .ar.ye Us
yearling colts. They are MIXED. used for
draft purposes. and their wool has high
ol,,a