( 20 ) 



lish manufacture were exposed for sale at exorbitant prices, includ- 

 ing silk and cotton handkerchiefs, muslins, long-cloth, red turkey, 

 beads, knives, scissors, and even those circular combs, used for 

 keeping children's hair off their foreheads — an article of toilet, that 

 Burman mothers have already learnt to appreciate. The compart- 

 ment allotted to the sale of vegetables was remarkably well stock- 

 ed ; but what attracted my attention most was the splendid tomatoes 

 and ginger roots, both of which thrive remarkably well here — in- 

 deed, the latter grows wild, as also many other varieties of the 

 Zingibercceea order. 



33. My interpreter, Johnson, alias Yansing, when eliciting in- 



formation for me, got immensely chaff - 

 maifir tei ' Chaffed by Bm * mese ed and worried by the young damsels 



who keep the stalls, for they are full 

 of fun and repartee, and not bad hands at double entendres when 

 occasion demands. I was highly amused at the delight he dis- 

 played when my questions were at an end ; and on our way back 

 to the steamer, he ventured to tell me, with a very solemn face, that 

 the Burmans could not appreciate this thirst for knowledge, but 

 attributed my inquisitiveness to a mild form of madness. 



34. Shortly after anchoring, the " Woon" came on board, ac- 

 T7- -x rn „ttt » n companied by a retinue of followers 



Visit of the " Woon, or Governor. r . it i n i i 



carrying a gold umbrella and sword, 

 the insignia of office, and other paraphernalia, consisting of a gold 

 cup and supparee-box of the same costly metal, a silver spittoon, 

 and goblet of water carefully covered over with a piece of nice, clean, 

 white ruuslin, all of which, I am told, adds to dignity in the eyes 

 of a Burman. Among the followers evidently was a secretary, 

 who was provided with the common black tablet of the country, 

 and steatite pencil, to take notes. The former makes a capital 

 substitute for a slate, having all its advantages without being 

 fragile. 



35. The hilt of the sword and scabbard were covered with 

 „ „ ■ m± sheet-gold, and the former handsomely 



Badge of authority. inlaid with precious stones. This 



weapon, I am told, is not merely a badge of office, but indicates 

 that the bearer has the power of taking life. In this instance the 

 sword was a gift of the King. 



36. The old Woon seemed a most intelligent- and agreeable 

 - „, ., , man, — one evidently who had mixed 



The « Woon described. & gQ()d ^ ^ European society . He 



breakfasted with us, and seemed quite at his ease, though, of 

 course, he made a few faux pas, such as re-placing his bones in the 

 dish from which he had been helped, and using his knife where 



