690 An account of some of the Petty States [Nov. 



Tso-boa and others came out half way to meet me, (the whole distance about 

 sixty paces,) and preceded by the letter, (the presents having stopped at the 

 gate,) they led me to a seat on the chief's right. I bowed before taking my 

 seat, and wearing my boots was never objected to. He was seated on a gilded 

 pedestal {yozaboleen 9i ) about two and a half or three feet high, and before him 

 the chiefs of his principality on carpets spread on the mats with large triangu- 

 lar pillows to lean against, ornamented with gold embroidery. As soon as we 

 were seated, the presents were brought in and placed before him. He put the 

 usual questions respecting the King of England, the Governor General, &c. &c, 

 the length of my journey, and the difficulties of the road ; made some excuse 

 for not meeting me on the road ; mentioned the death of his son and nephew 

 with much feeling ; and expressed good-will and friendship towards us. Indeed, 

 nothing could be more friendly or fatherly than my reception altogether, and 

 certainly with every appearance of sincerity. It was evident at a glance his 

 illness was no formal excuse for not seeing me ; he was much emaciated, and 

 evidently very weak. I was seated nearly opposite to the door of the private 

 apartment, which was crowded with women and children, who sent me out a 

 present of fruit. There was no dancing as on my former visit, but a male and 

 two female singers seated immediately within the door of the private apartment, 

 sung a sort of metrical history of the exploits of the Tso-boa and his six brothers, 

 in which the successful insurrection of Kaweela, the eldest brother, against 

 the Burmese sixty years ago, and the carrying off the people from Kewt-them 96 , 

 Keintoung 91 , and Mein-Neaung 98 , by the present chief, held the most conspicu- 

 ous place ; and though many of the unfortunate sufferers were present, any con- 

 sideration for their feelings seemed never to enter the old man's mind : yet the 

 expression of his countenance and manners altogether is benevolent ; which 

 character he bears among the people. The voices of the performers, both in 

 sweetness and compass were, beyond comparison, superior to any thing I have 

 heard out of Europe. After sitting about three-quarters of an hour, he retired 

 on plea of weakness ; his feet were swelled, and he tottered a good deal before 

 reaching the door of the inner apartment. After spending some time in conver- 

 sation with the chiefs I took my leave, intimating my intention of calling in 

 the morning on Chow-Houa, by whom all business is now transacted. 



The chief's house is situated near the middle of the town in a large stockade 

 inclosure, and surrounded by a garden. The wooden hall in which I was received 

 is about sixty feet long by thirty wide, and ornamented with three small China 

 chandeliers, some paltry Chinese and India looking-glasses and China lanterns, 

 some of glass and some of paper ; a picture of the great pagoda of Rangoon; 

 one of a Chinese joss, and a portrait much resembling one of our Royal Family. 

 The most valuable ornaments were the muskets I took up in my last visit, which, 

 with some Chinese-looking scimitars and swords with long silver handles, com- 

 pleted the decorations. The white umbrella was not unfurled ; the floor in 

 front of the yozabollen or throne was covered by the carpets and triangular 

 pillows of the chiefs, who assume a much more manly position than in the 

 presence of some of the lowest chiefs of Bankok ; though I am told that next 

 to the Raja of Ligore, this is the highest Chief in the kingdom. On the 6th, 

 according to my notice of yesterday, called on Chow-Houa, and had a long 

 conversation on the duties being taken off their elephant-hunters in our pro- 



