( 41 ) 



looking-glasses, scents, knives, scissors, imitation amber ear-tubes, 

 crockery, and so on, giving a busy appearance to the place, which 

 was enhanced by the gaily-dressed crowds that crowded the street. 

 Fronting the houses were nicely white-washed lattice fences, about 

 three feet high, within which were generally observable a few 

 flowering shrubs or fruit trees — zizyphus, lime, papaya, or pomegra- 

 nate. This system of fencing off the houses is a royal order of 

 long standing, the object being to keep people at a respectful dis- 

 tance from the king, who is not even supposed to be looked at. 

 What His Majesty must think of our extending this privilege even 

 to a cat, is indeed difficult to conceive. 



72. My mornings were generally spent in inspecting the different 



ArtsandManufaeture in the City. aftS ^ manufactures, always finding 



something tresh to engage my atten- 

 tion ; and the only matter for regret was that time did not admit 

 of my studying more minutely each branch of industry. Groups 

 of different trades are found mixed with groups of others all over the 

 town, instead of each profession establishing itself in separate 

 streets, as is the case in India. 



73. Weaving apparently gives occupation to a large proportion 



^ . of the population at Mandalay, and 



is, perhaps, one ol the most remunera- 

 tive trades. The raw material is chiefly imported from China, 

 though a good deal of it is indigenous. It is curious to watch 

 the most elaborate designs being worked out all from memory. 

 The rapidity with which the treadles are manipulated, and shuttles 

 changed and rechanged according to the colour required, seems as 

 though the whole process were a mere mechanical art. Even little 

 girls of seven or eight years old I have seen weaving a nine-loom 

 famine, which is considered about one of the most difficult pat- 

 terns to produce. 



74. A few horns spent among the brass-founders will also always 



-d f , repay the trouble. Here are cast in 



Brass -foundry. n • t ,i -, 



all sizes and orthodox positions gau- 

 damas, elephants, demons, and other monsters, brass vessels 

 of all sorts, and the gongs and bells, which apparently are indis- 

 pensable at all ceremonies in Burma, secular or religious. The 

 bell-metal has a remarkably sweet tone, and any one with the time 

 to spare and a tolerably correct ear for music, might have the most 

 perfect set of chimes produced : indeed, among the bells exposed 

 for sale I was able to complete all but two notes of the octave. At 

 one foundry a huge gaudama four feet high, in a sitting attitude, 

 was being manufactured to order, at a cost of Rs. 500. The mould 

 was in hand at the time of my visit, so I had an opportunity of 



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