620 An account of some of the Petty States [Oct. 



from a foot and a half to a few inches in diameter: the workmanship of many 

 of those of the lesser size was remarkably good, nearly all gifts from the King 

 of Siam ; after which seven of the chiefs' wives danced to the music of the 

 Bankok band, by which they set great store, and the music is certainly very 

 pleasing. Many of the women possess a very considerable share of Asiatic 

 beauty : their eyes in particular are large and expressive, without a trace of the 

 Tartar ; their skin remarkably fair, and had it not been for the little Barman 

 nose, some of tbem would have been really handsome. There were probably not 

 less than 300 people present— all the chiefs of Laloung, many of those of 

 Logon, but none from Zimmay. 



" February 8th. I have at length prepared to start in the morning by the 

 shortest and best route to Maulamyne. The only reason for not starting to-day 

 is its being a black one, and it would be disrespectful to me, as well as danger- 

 ous to themselves, to begin a journey to-day. I took leave of the chief to-day, 

 and have been allowed as an especial favor to buy one (and Chow-tche-Weet 

 has presented me with another) young female elephant, and sends one as a pre- 

 sent to Mr. Maingy. 



" Had another visit from some Zimmay people to-day, who agree with the 

 others as to the very friendly feeling of the people there towards us. They say 

 they so fully expected me there, that houses have been ready for the last ten 

 days. On taking leave of Chow Houa he gave me a rhinoceros horn, on which 

 he seemed to set a great value, as a charm against every evil ; and as I had 

 expressed some impatience at their delays and suspicion, he begged I would not 

 suspect them of any want of friendship in so long withholding permission to 

 purchase bullocks and trade with their people ; that our character was perfectly 

 new to them; that they were like an elephant crossing the river; — they 

 must feel before they proceeded ; that their difficulty was now got over, they 

 were aware of our intentions being good ; and that we should now come there on 

 the same terms as subjects of Siam. 



" In proof of their sincerity and the trust thus reposed in us, Beyna-tche 

 would accompany me with 50 or 60 people, 2 or 300 cattle, and a number of 

 elephants ; that they all lived by trade or agriculture, and that some of the 

 Chow's sons would certainly next year visit our settlement on the coast. He 

 invited me to repeat my visit next dry season." 



On the 9th Dr. R. started on his return : he gives the following 

 account of the route he took, which, until the 15 th, was the same by 

 which he had travelled on his way up. 



" \5th. Direction South, 30 West. Time, 4 hours; distance, 10 miles. 



" 12. 35. I started : most of the people having gone on before me. 



" 1. 30. Came amongst the hills and commenced to ascend. 



" 2. 12. Broke off from the old Mein-lun-ghee road, leaving it a little to the 

 westward. — 2. 20. Crossed the May-papie in a few inches of water ; path narrow, 

 through low bamboo jungle ; hills range about south 70 west, north 70 east. — 

 3. 45. Crossed the May-Gnoot 60 and halted on the western side in long grass ; 

 the bed of the stream rocky and wide 20 or 30 feet, with but little water at this 

 season. Saw two wild cows and a tiger this evening. 



" 16th. Direction South, 50 West. Time, 6 hours; distance, 13 miles. 



" 9. March along the banks of the May-Gnoot, and continued to ascend with 



