16 Narrative of the Proceeding's and Scientific 



ciipied for several successive days in paying visits to the heir- 

 apparent, the Prince of Sarrawadi, tlie dowager queen, and 

 the queen"'s brother. By all these personages they were re- 

 ceived with marked politeness and attention. The ladies pre- 

 sented themselves on these occasions as well as the men. 

 There was no reserve in respect to the fair sex. 



The negotiation was then renewed, and on the S3d of No- 

 vember, besides settling some points respecting frontier, a short 

 treaty of commerce of four articles was concluded. 



The mission continued at the Burman capital in all about 

 two months and a half, and quitted it on the 12th of Decem- 

 ber, after being honoured with tv/o audiences of his Majesty, 

 the one on occasion of catching a wild elephant, and the other 

 on that of weaning a young one, favourite diversions of the 

 king. On the occasions in question his Majesty threw off all 

 reserve, and conversed freely and familiarly with our country- 

 men. On the day of departure presents were sent for the go- 

 vernor general, and each of the English gentlemen received a 

 title of nobility. 



The Irawadi which, swollen by the periodical rains, was deep 

 and broad in coming up, was found in descending to have fal- 

 len from twenty to thirty feet, and the navigation consequent- 

 ly proved extremely intricate and t-edious. The steam vessel 

 was in all a-ground fifteen days, and frequently ran the risk of 

 being totally lost. The voyage to Rangoon occupied thirty-five 

 days, which, in a small boat suited for the river, ought to have 

 been performed in ten. At Pugan, about eighty miles below 

 Ava, the mission was for the first time informed of the insur- 

 rection of the Talains. At Henzada and Donabew the inha- 

 bitants were seen flying from the seat of insurrection. The 

 insurgents were first seen at Paulang. This place, where the 

 river is not above sixty yards broad, was strongly stockaded in 

 three places, and the Talains were seen standing to their arms. 

 The steam vessel came to for a few moments to request a safe 

 passage for the baggage and boats which were behind, and for 

 the boats of some merchants which accompanied them, amount- 

 ing in all to about twenty-two. Boats put off immediately, and 

 the Talains came on board without the least hesitation. They 

 were full of friendly professions, and requested only our neu- 



