offerings of a peculiar kind are made, in the procession of funerals, and in dances.

Their amusements consist of dancing, comic scenes, buffoonery, masquerades, fire-works, cockfighting, pugilism, &c. Their dancing is not saltatory, but is performed by various contortions of the body, arms, fingers, and legs, communicating to a stranger more of a painful than pleasing sensation. They are much addicted to games of chance and skill.

ing the only one universally spoken in it; it is that in which all commercial and judicial business is transacted, and all the records of the High Court of the Empire preserved. In common writing, the Burmans use a thick paper, blackened with charcoal, and a pencil of soft stone. Royal and Court orders are written with an iron style upon a long palm leaf, cut to a point at each end. Books are written in the same manner upon the palmyra leaf, and when finished, The means of improvement in the edges are trimmed and someknowledge peculiar to the country, times beautifully gilt. Copies of are extensive; but idleness and books are taken by young priests oppression destroy in a great mea- in monasteries; other individuals sure the influence which they also may be employed in copying would otherwise have. Education, books, for wages at the rate of however, is general. A great pro-about one rupee for an enga or portion of the men can read and twelve leaves. The writing is write. It has been said, that his made legible by rubbing the leaf present Majesty has a person of with oil. Prose works are compoetic talents, on whom he be- monly read, as well as poetry, and stows his royal patronage, and who, are, some of them, works of fiction, in return, delights the "precious and others, religious; of the latter ear" with the measured lines of his kind the Dzat and Wootto, or own composition. It is common those books which illustrate the infor court ladies to cultivate litera- fluence of merit and demerit, are ture; and many in the humbler | most extensively read. Historical spheres of life are found not inat-works are scarce, and therefore tentive to the advantages of educa- but little read. Few individuals tion. The monasteries are freely have the means or the opportunity open for the admission of male pu- of collecting private libraries. The pils, in which, under the gratuitous Pali or Magudha language is a diatuition of the priests, they learn to lect of the Sungskrit. In the monread and write on a plan funda- asteries it is seen in its original mentally the same as that denomi- character, but it is commonly writnated Lancasterian. Other schools ten and taught in the Burman on the same plan, are established || character. This language is rareand conducted by private individu-ly acquired except by those who als for a moderate compensation, in which both boys and girls are promiscuously admitted on equal terms, and to equal advantages. There is no such thing known as a classic education; no definite period of time, or course of study, is ever contemplated by the pupil, as the term and the object of his application.

put on the sacred vestments;-but as the priests divest themselves of these at pleasure, and revert to the common walks of life, individuals in these may be found who understand it. The language is not esteemed peculiarly sacred, but is viewed much in the same light as the Hebrew is viewed by Chris

tians.

The vulgar or the common Bur- In the formation of their matriman language, is that which is monial connexions, there is genertaught throughout the country, be- Il ally an appropriate preface of per

concubines to their masters. If a concubine of this sort wishes to be released, the terms of her departure are made easy from the consid. eration of the nature of her services. A high sense of female chastity not being prevalent, nor highly regarded by the other sex, prostitution becomes a natural and extensive consequence. The male sex conceive that by nature, they are both physically and mentally superior to the female; in which the female acquiesces. Hence are seen lordship in the one, and subjection in the other. A brother exercises over a sister, and a husband over a wife, control at pleasure, and applies, if need require, the

sonal acquaintance and plighted || other the defendant; in which case, love. This cannot be avoided the judge finds no difficulty in adwhere society is of a mixed nature,justing the matter in dispute by reand women are subject to no receiving the whole costs from the straints except those which good plaintiff, and meeting his or her manners impose. In the ceremony wishes. The claims which a moof marriage, little expense is incur- ther-in-law has over her son-in-law, red either of time or money; a amounting to a little more than feast of good things, according to three years' maintenance, or an the ability of the bridegroom, is equivalent in money, founded on prepared, in which the assembled the fact of her having nursed his family connexions participate.-wife, sometimes produce unhappy The married pair taste a mixture consequences. of the tea-leaf steeped in oil, (which Polygamy is not only allowed, is the form of sealing all contracts) but it abounds in the country. eat together from the same plate, Money is not offered to obtain a and amidst the best wishes and female as a wife, but for the pur blessings of all concerned, ex-chase of bond-maids, who become changing their reciprocal promises, "they twain are made one flesh;" after which the guests retire, and one pillow figuratively reminds the wedded lovers that they are no longer two." Unfortunately, however, for the perpetuity of conjugal felicity, the sacred torch of ten, and sometimes in a very short period, begins to burn with a dim light; the atmosphere which at first surrounded it, is no longer the imple element of love; and conassions soon follow, which burst aunder the feebly constructed faric. Perhaps in no country is the marriage contract regarded wit so little respect, or maintained th so little propriety, as it is in Ermah. No disgrace is at-shoe, the rod, the foot, the palm of tache to a divorced husband, or wife. Slight occasions originate verbal buse, and these quarrels are ofte protracted, till the husband an wife seek that remedy which is be found in this country in anyommon court of justice. The magisate listens to the wishes of the rties, pronounces the grave decisn of separation, and his conscien is equally satisfied with the rection of eighty or a hundred rupe paid by both parties, as with conviction that he has rendered tice in the case. It sometimes ha ens that one party becomes thelaintiff and the

the hand, or even the point of the elbow, to correct the frowardness or obstinacy of the weaker vessel." Among the higher and more polite circles, however, this right is not so much exercised as acknowledged.

However inconsistent the fact may appear with the estimation in which the female character is held, it is certain, that throughout the country, female influence strongly and irresistibly diffuses itself in domestic and even public concerns. The wife of a Judge or Governor is often seen at his side, assisting in the decision of causes; and the

to them.

Generosity or hospitality is not among the practical virtues of the Burmese; on the contrary, they are cold hearted, unfeeling, and suspicious, contemplating misery or suffering, in whatever form, with indifference and apathy. No public institutions of charity or benevolence appear, to proclaim a general interest in the comfort or

wives of Viceroys and other high officers, are often permitted to hold their own courts and decide independently on petitions presented Women of all ranks enjoy a high degree of freedom, appear abroad unveiled, whenever they choose, ornamented according to the taste and fashion of the country, and add zest to public scenes of amusement by their pre-convenience of the less happy. On sence and gaiety. the contrary, avarice and selfishThe Burmese, for obvious rea-ness, the two reigning passions of sons, have not attended to those the Burmese, preclude the exerimprovements, or opened those cise of right feelings toward others, sources of exterior comfort and shutting up bowels of compasconvenience, which in civilized countries, contribute to smooth the roughness of human life. Idleness, a prevailing evil among them, united with the despotic nature of their government, fetters exertion, retards the progress of useful speculations, and circumscribes the exercise of genius. It is not therefore strange, that a country so populous, should exhibit strong features of rudeness and barbarism. Even roads, which seem to be among the first requirements of public convenience, among them are extremely irregular, devious, and, to all but travellers on foot, of difficult passage. There are no inns to furnish refreshments to an itinerant. The only accommodation to be found bearing any resemblance to inns, are sheds, most of which are open at the sides, and called Zayats. These are the fruits of piety, rather than of public spirit. Their local situation being determined by the fancy of their constructors, they are met with at various distances, but most frequently near villages, and in the vicinity of pagodas. They are unoccupied, and open to the ingress of any one. Here, if the weary traveller should find a pot of water to quench his thirst, placed there for common use, the pious act of some individual, his expectations are fulfilled, and he looks to the bazar for his bill of fare, and to the way-side shed only for shelter.

sion." To the existence of such a state of feeling, it is probable the nature of the government contributes. The petty arts of tyranny practised by subordinate civil officers, are a terror to the public, and create between man and man, that jealousy and suspicion, which root out confidence and annihilate the best feelings of humanity. The writer of this article, witnessed in the eastern road leading from the town of Rangoon to the great Pagoda, a Burmese lying on the ground under a suspension of h faculties by a fit. He fell whie walking with a companion, which was no sooner discovered by he latter, than he departed with all possible speed. No individua approached the miserable sufrer. The writer, not aware of an evil consequence, went toward him, when several voices from idividuals at a distance, urged him to retire. On enquiring thei reasons, they replied," you will neet with difficulty from governrent; the man may report that has been deprived of somethin, and you may be called upon to answer as a thief." This was an effectual check to the offer f any assistance. In such a tate of things there can be foun little benevolence, kindness, r hospitality in exercise, particulaty towards strangers. Should there be a disposition on some ocasions to obey the dictates of the telings of human

99

ity, great precaution is necessary. which combine to form the happiIn bestowing the fruits of benevo-ness of civilized society. lence, one is strongly reminded of The Burmese cannot be considour Saviour's advice, "Give not ered as having a peculiar propenthat which is holy unto the dogs,sity to loquacity, or to inquisitiveneither cast ye your pearls before ness. But they are sociable and swine, lest they trample them under communicative on all common toptheir feet, and turn again and rend ics, and are inclined to discuss you." Under such circumstances, disputed points. They are not init is not difficult to perceive to quisitive to any laudable or profitwhat extent hospitality may be able extent, as their inquiries selsafely shown. If a traveller meet dom issue in the promotion of usea stranger in a solitary path, his ful knowledge. There are various fancy traces in him the lineaments reasons why a Burman does not of a thief or a robber, and if they indulge an inquisitive disposition pass each other merely with mu- to any great extent; one is, that tual looks of suspicion, each deems he confides in the wisdom and exhimself fortunate. ample of his ancestors. The common doctrine that a man cannot be wiser or better than his progenitors, greatly prevails. Another reason is, that the King or the officers of Government often monopolize the fruits of ingenuity to themselves, to the inconvenience of the ingenious. A man excelling in any profession of art, enjoys the honour of ministering his productions to the King, or to some person of official rank; but he seldom finds the honor attended with much profit to himself. Under such circumstances, a spirit of investigation must necessarily lie dormant. Mistrust forms a barrier against inquiry. A Burman rarely gives correct information; and he never expects to receive it. Every thing new is told to an incredulous ear, and nothing but the most palpable demonstration can convince the understanding.

a

Travelling by boats, which affords the greatest personal comfort, presents the danger of bands of robbers, who often attack with knives and muskets, and make “ clean sweep" of whatever portable effects can be seized, to the jeopardy, and frequently to the destruction of the lives of their possessors. It is but just to add, however, that the view which these remarks would otherwise present, should in some respects be qualified. There do exist among the Burmese, friendly relations and ties of consanguinity, which, in private life, are seen so to operate as to soften in some degree the sterner features of their public character. Among relatives and friends, between whom there is a mutual and thorough acquaintance, feelings which originate generous actions, the duties of hospitality, kind deportment, and sympathy, prevail over those views of mere personal consideration, which govern the general course of their lives in their civil connexion with one another. They are certainly not incapable of strong attachments, or of exercising the social virtues; and could their public character be formed in a different mould from that in which their system of government has already cast it, they would be found by no means destitute of those elementary principles

Upon ordinary topics of conversation, however, the Burmese are not reserved. On the contrary, they often display their colloquial abilities to considerable advantage. Not possessing much irritability, they are capable of maintaining an argumentative discussion in a temperate manner. They are seldom vehement in their language; but appear cool, collected, and consid erate. They are not insensible to the power of wit, or illiberal in their approbation of it.

(To be concluded in qur next Number.)