io WILD SPORTS OF BURMA AND ASSAM 



a cosmetic with a fragrance similar to that of sandal-wood, 

 pencil their eyebrows, and rouge their lips. This is all done 

 to make themselves look as fair as possible. They cover 

 themselves over with necklaces, of pure gold inlaid with 

 precious stones, their fingers with rings, and have peculiar 

 ornaments of amber or gold inserted in the lobe of the ear. 

 These ear-tubes are cylindrical, the hollow being large enough 

 for them to insert a cigar. They are inveterate smokers, 

 even children taking to it before being weaned ; they also 

 chew betel-nut and separee, with which lime and a little aitch 

 is mixed, and yet have small symmetrical white teeth. 



Pliability of the arms and body is much prized. By con- 

 stant practice, a girl is taught to turn the inside of the elbow 

 outwards, and the joint becomes so flexible that it moves 

 with equal facility either way. A girl will stand on a mark, 

 and by bending backwards, pick up a small coin with her teeth 

 which has been placed within a few inches of her heels. They 

 are born actresses, and delight in either seeing or taking a 

 part in theatricals. There is no stigma attached to a girl 

 dancing in public as there is in India to the Nautch girls, 

 who are but courtesans. Their manners are pleasing; there 

 is a mixture of courtesy and freedom, and even the poorest, 

 while frank, are well-bred. In their intercourse with each 

 other they are good-humoured and considerate, and Europeans 

 are struck with the enjoyment, contentment, and happiness of 

 the people. No one is rich, but there are no beggars. The 

 earth is so bountiful that three months' labour suffices to pro- 

 duce enough food for the year. If by any reverse a family is 

 in want, the neighbours assist at once ; they are hospitality 

 itself. 



They are more truthful than most Orientals. The affection 

 of parents for their children is very great. Filial piety is 

 inculcated as a sacred precept, and much respect is shown by 

 the young to the old. They are fond of amusement and 

 excitement, their motto being, " Sufficient for the day is the 

 evil thereof." Strong, patient, and good-tempered, they are 

 indolent in the extreme, yet they can work like galley-slaves 

 on an emergency. No man seeks to make a fortune ; should 

 he by chance do so, he spends it at once in good works, such 



