236 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



therefore, descended into the open air, by the 

 way we had come, very thankful to escape from 

 the overpowering scent of cocoanut oil, masses 

 of sickly sweet floral offerings, spices, and above 

 all, dense throngs of over-heated humanity. 



I fell deeply in love with the Burmese ladies, 

 whom I met in the streets of Kandy. They 

 had such gentle, intellectual faces, with a great 

 air of refinement, and good breeding. Their 

 pretty dresses — silk skirts with full, short jackets, 

 and well dressed glossy hair, added much to 

 their attractiveness ; but I am sorry to say some 

 of them were smoking long cheroots. The 

 lower classes of the Burmese pilgrims were 

 certainly not beautiful, broad flat faces, and 

 square unwieldy figures appeared to be their 

 distinguishing traits ; though I must confess 

 they nearly all looked intelligent and good- 

 tempered. The ladies trotted in and out of the 

 jewellers and curiosity shops evidently making 

 purchases to take home as mementos of their 

 pilgrimage. 



1, too, went in search of curiosities, to carry 

 away with me, notably a kind of coarse pottery, 

 which is to be obtained in the open shops in the 

 native portion of the town and reminds me 

 somewhat of Breton pottery. The shopkeepers, 

 much to my amusement, always recommended 

 their European wares. " This, very good lady, 

 best London make." I secured several cups 



