692 An account of some of the Petti/ States [Nov. 



outside the town, about 4 o'clock ; most of the wives of the headmen were 

 present, and the whole of the ceremonies were gone through without quarrel 

 and in great good humour. The deceased was the same whose house was burnt 

 during my last visit here, and who sent out to beg me to look through a small 

 sextant I had been seen using, and tell him who had stolen a ring he lost on 

 the occasion. I left the shed when the coffin was moved, and prepared to start 

 for Zimmay in the morning, congratulating myself in getting off a day sooner 

 than I had anticipated; but about 9 o'clock, Benya Tche came out to say 

 Chow-tche-Weet begged me to remain one day, as he was anxious to see me 

 to-morrow before starting for Zimmay. After many complaints of loss of time 

 and fear of the rains, I was obliged to consent to remain ; and on the morning 

 of the 11th, an officer came out to the encampment to say Chow-tche-Weet 

 wished to see me. I promised to wait on him immediately after breakfast. On 

 arriving at the house found a large assembly, and the only communication the 

 old man had to make, was a request to remain till after the new year*, a further 

 loss of three days. I at first refused, but on his urging his request, and reflect- 

 ing that nothing would be done at either place during the festival, I agreed to 

 remain on condition I was not detained here on my return. The Tso-boa made 

 some demur, as in duty bound, as a good Buddhist, about the sale of the cattle ; 

 he was, however, easily satisfied by transferring the sin to the sellers and Chow- 

 Houa, who sanctioned it. He was as kind as usual, always addressing me as 

 his " luck Chow ~Engrit" literally, " son chief English." He talked of a refer, 

 ence to Bankok, which I said was unnecessary after the treaty of 1826, and be 

 was again satisfied. He is quite in his dotage, and repeated the same things 

 over and over : the people from their respect for him shew him, however, much 

 consideration. He asked if there was any difference in the value of his presents 

 and those to the Zimmay chief, and seemed pleased when told that his were the 

 most valuable. 



" After breakfast, on the 13th, two officers, dressed in white robes used in 

 religious ceremonies, came out to my tent by the Chow's orders, to conduct me 

 where the ceremony on his grandson entering the priesthood was to be per- 

 formed. I found a large assembly of people in an old zayat" near the pagoda. 

 The Chow was seated on a mat near the centre of the place, — the other chiefs 

 near him, his wives behind him — all dressed in white. I found a carpet and 

 pillow for me close to Chow Raja Boot. A Pourjghee was seated in the mid- 

 dle expounding the law, and Chow-tche-Weet had told him to continue till 

 my arrival, as he wished me to see the whole ceremony. As I was told I would 

 be expected to contribute, I sent the interpreter to the Chow with 10 rupees ; 

 and he soon afterwards went out to the open space before the zayat to inaugu- 

 rate the boy (about 7 years of age) in his holy office. The ceremony is the 

 same as in Burraah and other Buddhist countries, shaving the head, bathing, 

 investing with the yellow garment. Whilst he was gone, his son told me a 

 Itahan was also to be raised to the office of high priest, (See-dan) 10 ° ; that the 

 Chow before investing him with his office asks him if he will obey his lawful 

 orders ; which being answered in the affirmative, he makes over to him all 



* I afterwards learnt that the reason of his requesting me to stop was a fear lest 

 I should be insulted, or the people get into any quarrel with the Zimmay people, 

 during the holidays at this joyous season. 



