1835.] Island of Rambree on the Arracan Coast. 31 



some expiatory service, and are enabled to do so through the assistance 

 of some persons who deem it an act of piety to defray the expences 

 consequent to their ordination. 



In towns and large villages the education of the children* (the 

 male part of them), is chiefly entrusted to the Phoongrees, and it is a 

 part of their daily and uninterrupted occupation. No distinction is 

 made between the children of the rich and the poor : both are treated 

 alike and receive a similar education ; no remuneration whatever being 

 made to these good monks for their trouble, save the daily provision 

 that is voluntarily supplied by the native community for their subsis- 

 tence. Children under nine pears of age are not admissible into the 

 Kioum, being of too tender an age to undergo the discipline and 

 duties imposed upon them out of school hours, such as fetching wood 

 and water, cleaning the rice, and attending the priests in their daily 

 rounds, for it is the duty of the boys to carry the baskets containing 

 the contributions of food. Such children as are parentless, or of poor 

 parents, and even those who reside at some distance from the Kioum, 

 are fed as well as lodged by the priests. The other boys are allowed 

 a certain time to go home to their meals, but they are obliged to 

 sleep in the convent, for what they have read during the day is repeat- 

 ed in the evening or at day-break on the following morning. 



There is another source of education equally peculiar to the Mughs ; 

 such as are not engaged in any pursuit or employment requiring all 

 their time, devote a portion of it to the education of children, entirely 

 gratis ; less labour being expected from the children than is im- 

 posed upon them in the Kioums. Children under nine years of age 

 and of both sexes are admissable to such schools, the rules, as before 

 observed, being less strict than those enforced at the monasteries ; it is 

 therefore not uncommon to meet with children of a very tender age at 

 such schools. 



I know nothing so gratifying to a stranger as a visit to the larger 

 Kioums in the evening of a fine day. To observe boys of all ages 

 rushing from the scene of their daily labours to the tank or other 

 place of enjoyment, with that cheerful demeanour which marks the 

 school-boy in our own country when released from his task and join- 

 ing his fellows on the play-ground. At this time a group of monks may 

 be seen standing on the elevated Michaun at the threshold of the 

 Kioum, enjoying the evening air, or quietly watching the conduct [of 



* I am indebted to my friend Captain Williams for much information on this 

 subject, as well as on other matters connected with this singular people. The 

 great popularity he enjoys with the Mughs, has given him favourable opportunities 

 for prosecuting his inquiries into their customs, &c. 



