LITERATURE OF THE BURMASi 20J 



" pleafant as the former. It is named ZeiHalaia*, 

 *' and in it grows that renowned twining plant, which 

 *' every thoufand years produces a moft exquifite 

 " fruit. In order to get this fruit the Nat alfemble 

 " here in crowds for a hundred years before it ripens i 

 " and for one whole year, fmg and dance, accom- 

 " panied by drums and other mufical inftruments. 

 " Having eat of that fruit, the N'at become inebria- 

 *' ted for four entire months." 



" To the fouth and weft of this city are alfa two 

 '' other gardens of the fame fize, and ornamented with 

 " lakes, and beautiful trees. The garden to the fouth 

 *' is named Parafii^ that to the weft Mijfata." 



" To the north-eaft of Mahafudajjaaa is a very 

 " large hall, extending every way 300 juzana. In 

 " circumference it is goo juzana, and in height 450. 

 *• From its roof hang golden bells : and its ftairs, 

 " walls, and pillars, every where fliine with gold and 

 " filver, intermixed with precious ftones. The pave- 

 '• ment is of cryftal, and each row of pillars contain 

 *' 100 columns, The road, which leads to this hall, 

 " is twenty juzana long, and one broad ; and from 

 " fpace to fpace are planted trees abounding with all 

 '• kinds of fruits and flowers. When the great em- 

 " peror wants to go to this hall, winds arife, which 

 *' blow off all the leaves and flowers from the trees, 

 *' and frefh ones immediately fucceed. With thefe 

 " flowers, the Nat prefiding over the winds, adorn the 

 " whole road to the hall; and the flowers are fo 

 " abundant, that they reach up to the knees of the 

 *• paffengcrs. In the middle of this hall ftands the 

 " great imperial throne, whofe plane extends ^. juzana; 

 " and over it is the white umbrella t. No throne 



'• (hines 



* Lata. Lota, or Lot, in the languaf^e of the Hindux, fignlfies a 

 chmhing plant, 

 f Different ranks in the Burma empire are dininguiflied bv their um- 

 brellas. That of the king is white, with a deep fringe adorned with gold 

 lare and plates. Thofe of the princes of the blood are gilded, and wichont 

 a fringe. Thofe of the f>ur great minifters of Hate, called Wicngyes^ 

 ire of ihe fame fnape with the royal one ; but are red. Thoie of the 



hcrciiitar,v 



