TEMPLE OF SHOEMADOO PRAW. 121 



From the upper ledge that furrounds the bafe of 

 Shoemadoo, the profpect of the country is extenfive 

 and pifturefque; but it is a profpect of nature in her 

 rudeft Hate. There are few inhabitants, and fcarcely 

 any cultivation. The hills of Mar tab an rife to the 

 eaftward ; and the Sitang river, winding along the 

 plains, gives here and there an interrupted view of its 

 waters. To the north-north-weft, above forty miles, 

 are the Galladzet hills, whence the Pegue river takes 

 its rife; hills remarkable only for the noifome effects 

 of their atmofphere. In every other direction the eye 

 looks over a boundlefs plain, chequered by a wild in- 

 termixture of wood and water. 



Previous to my departure from Pegue, I paid a vifit 

 to the Siredavjy or fuperior Rah.zan, of the country. 

 His abode was fituated in a fnady grove of tamarind 

 trees, about five miles fouth-eaft of the city. Every 

 object feemed to correfpond with the years and dignity 

 of the pcifeiTor. The trees were lofty . A bamboo 

 railing protected his dwelling from the attack of wild 

 beafts. A neat refer voir contained clear water. A 

 little garden gave him roots; and his retreat was well 

 flocked with fruit-trees. A number of younger Ra- 

 bac.ns lived with him, and administered to his wants 

 with pious refpect. Though extremely emaciated, he 

 feemed lively, and in full poiTeliion of his mental fa- 

 culties. He faid his age was eighty-feven. The Ra- 

 haanSy although fupportcd by charity, never accept of 

 money. I therefore prefented this venerable prelate 

 of the order with a piece of cloth, which was repaid 

 by a grateful benediction. He told me that, in the 

 convullions of the Pegue empire, moit of their valua- 

 ble records had been deftroyedj but it was traditionally 

 believed, that the temple of &oemadoo was founded 

 two thoufand three hundred years ago, by two brothers, 

 merchants, who came to Pegue from Tai: c t one 



day's journey eaft of Martaban. Thefe pious traders 

 raifed a pagoda of one L cubit, twenty inches 



1 and 



