TEMPLE OF SHOEMADOO PRAW. U3 



No act of the Birman government is more likely to 

 reconcile the ^aliens to the Birman yoke, than the re- 

 ftoration of their ancient place of abode, and the pre- 

 fervation and embellifhmcnt of the Pagoda of Shoe- 

 madoo. So fenfible was the King of this, as well as 

 of the advantages that muft accrue to the ftate from 

 an increafe of culture and population, that five years 

 ago he iflued orders to rebuild Pcgue, encouraged 

 new fettlers by liberal grants, and invited the fcat- 

 tered families of former inhabitants to return and re- 

 people their deferted city. 



The better to effect this purpofe, his Birman Ma- 

 jefty, on the death of Taomangee, the late Mayoon % 

 or Viceroy, which happened about five years ago, di- 

 rected his fucceflbr, Main Lla no Rethee, to quit 

 Rangoon, and make Pegue his future refidence, and the 

 feat of provincial government of the thirty-two pro- 

 vinces of Henzawuddy. 



< 



Thefe judicious meafures have fo far fucceeded, 

 that a new town has been built within the lite of the 

 ancient city ; but Rangoon pofTefTes fo. many fuperior 

 advantages, and holds out fach inducements to thofe 

 who vvifh to dwell in a commercial town, that adven- 

 turers do not re fort in any coniiderable numbers to 

 the new colony. The former inhabitants are now 

 nearly extinct, and their families and defcendants fet- 

 tled in the provinces of tfayighoo, Mariaban> and Ta- 

 lowmeou ; and many live under the protection of the 

 Siamefe. There is little doubt, however, that the 

 restoration of their favourite temple of worfhip, and 

 the fecurity held out to them, will, in the end, ac- 

 complifh the wife and humane intentions of the 2?/>- 



n Monarch. 



Pcgue, in its renovated (late, feems to be built on 

 the plan of the former city. It is a fquare, each fide 

 meafuring about half a mile. It is fenced round 



Vol. V. H by 



