44.4 Major Borney on the Lacquered-Ware of Ava. 
burnt, with ¢heet-tsee; this is called hywon-theet-lhwa-za-tha-yo, ‘ teak- 
wood saw-dust ¢ha-yo,”’ or simply /hwa-za-tha-yo, “‘ saw-dust tha-yo :’’ it is 
of a thicker consistence than the other two, more like mortar, and mois- 
tened with a little spittle as it is applied. This paste is used in filling up 
any little holes, and joining on the stands or different pieces together; and 
the separate parts of the frame-work of the high conical-boxes“) are fixed 
together with this cement, which becomes as hard as wood, and which 
would really assist the famous project of ‘ converting saw-dust into deal 
boards.” The ornaments, like little rails, fixed around the sides of some of 
the boxes, are made with this tha-yo, pressed with little tin moulds or stamps 
into the pattern required, and then fastened on. A fourth kind of paste is 
made with the ashes of cow-dung, ngowa-gyee-bya, sifted finely and mixed 
with ¢heet-tsee which has been put over a fire until beginning to boil: the 
two are then well mixed and beat together, whence this paste is called ¢é- 
tha-yo, or “ beaten tha-yo.” This looks like putty, and is used principally 
by gilders in fixing flowers or other ornaments upon wood-work, to which it 
adheres very tenaciously ; and before it hardens it is so pliable and elastic, 
that it may be drawn out into the finest lines and twisted into any shape. 
But much of the cheapest and coarsest description of japanned ware, ma- 
nufactured at Nyowng-oo0, is said to have the basket-work covered with a 
paste of cow-dung and mud only, over which one or two coats of theet- 
tsee are applied. This paste is always liable to crack, and to chip off the 
basket-work, and the Burmese consider this kind of manufacture, in which 
very little ¢heet-tsee is used, as an imposition. 
All the above descriptions of paste form good cements for joining wood- 
work. For this purpose the best kind is a mixture of the “ bone-ashes 
tha-yo” with a little teak saw-dust; and I have found it answer as an 
excellent substitute for glue, not being so liable to be affected by damp 
weather: it is only longer drying, as much as five or six days. It answers 
very well, also, in filling up the cavities left in fine cabinet-work, when the 
thin black edging has broken or fallen off. When dry, it must only be 
rubbed smooth and even with a stone, in the manner hereafter to be 
described. 
To return to the cups which the Burmese workmen prepared under my 
eye. On the second day, the rim of the cup was cut round smooth, and 
the fine description of basket-work at the top was scraped and thinned with 
a knife, so as to bring it more on a level with the other part. The hole at 
