( 19 ) 



Minhla is estimated to contain 1,500 houses, the larger number 

 being built parallel with the river, but whose continuous line is 

 here and there broken by pagodas and kyoungs, embowered in 

 clumps of palmyra, which add considerably to the effect. The 

 buildings in the rear are equally neat, and are reached by cross- 

 paths, likewise avenued, and all having their little plots of garden 

 prettily enclosed with bamboo-fencing, covered with flowering cree- 

 pers. The architecture is of the usual Burnian type. The flooring 

 is either of planking or split bamboo, raised off the ground some 

 two or three feet. The material of the entire framework — i. e., the 

 principal supports, pillars, &c. — depend on the owner's means, the 

 richer having teak or other serviceable junglewood, and tjie poorer, 

 bamboos: so also with the walls, which are either of plaited split 

 bamboo or planking ; but not so with the thatching : which is, 

 without exception, of Saccharum spontaneum. 



29. The Governor's house, which is situated in the middle of 



the front row, is uniform in design 

 The Governor s house. ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^.^ Rnd ^^ 



ed by a high bamboo-mat fence. Fronting the entrance-gate, are 

 a few old pieces of ordnance, whose rusted condition and dilapidated 

 state of the carriages show they have long since been out of use. 

 One peculiarity that marks a Burinan official's house, is the cross- 

 bar over the gate, and the privilege of having it coloured red. This 

 former mark of distinction would appear to signify submission to 

 the yoke of official sway. 



30. The south end of the town is allotted to the females of easy 



virtue, whose quarters are enclosed in 

 f^iT* ° f t0Wn aUotted t0 a high bamboo fence, and known as 



" the bamboo square." These unfor- 

 tunates are subject to laws of a most rigid nature, and are not 

 allowed to leave their quarters after the prescribed hours, which 

 extend from sunrise to sunset. 



31. I here noted the finest specimen of a tamarind tree I have 



ever seen : it measured round the stem, 



^Tamarind thrives well in this lo- at f our f eet f rQm fa e g r0U nd, 8'75 feet ; 



beneath it was an English screw cutch- 

 press. The climate of these latitudes seems peculiarly adapted to 

 this tree, for, as we progress northward, it becomes more plentiful, 

 and grows with greater luxuriance. 



32. Here also is a market-place, built entirely of wood, with the 

 „ ■ _ _ _ _ exception of the roofing, which is 



Market and wares descnbed. th ^ he ^ fr design it closely resem- 



bles a hhijoung, and each vendor has an apportioned place, the 

 whole presenting a gay and busy scene. Various articles of Eng- 



