68 On the History of the Burma race. [No. 2, 



of Bhureng Noting. The army advanced with great difficulties 

 and much righting to the capital of Siam. The general, Bhureng 

 Noung, was indefatigable in his exertions, and his son, a hoy of thirteen 

 years, greatly distinguished himself. But the capital city was most 

 difficult to operate against, on account of the streams and water 

 channels round it. The Kula Pan-the people also were there with 

 ships and guns. Seeing that great delay would occur, and fearing a 

 want of provisions, the king determined to retreat. "Much fighting 

 took place in effecting this. The son-in-law of the king of Siam had 

 been taken prisoner in a skirmish. This led to negociations, and 

 according to the history, the king of Siam agreed to pay tribute. 

 Two of his brothers were sent to the camp of Meng-ta ra Shwe'-hti 

 to enter into arrangements. The Siamese prisoners were released, 

 and the Burmo-Talaing army retired. This expedition occupied 

 five months. 



The history now relates a curious incident in the life of Meng-ta-ra 

 Shwe-hti, which appears to have had an evil influence upon him, and 

 eventually led to his death. It is told as follows : " This powerful 

 " and wise king, by associating with a false heretical Kula Ba-reng-gyi 

 " (Foreigner-Feringi) deviated from the virtuous conduct becoming 

 " a king. This Ku-la Ba-reng-gyi was the nephew of Peits-tsa-rit 

 " Meng, and had been sent with seven ships and one hundred larger 

 " vessels to attack Acheen. He took in guns, powder, and balls, at 

 " Ma-li-ka (Malacca), but was defeated by the Acheen chief and 

 " forced to retreat. He came to Muttama with a few vessels, and 

 " was made prisoner by the governor, who sent him to Meng-ta-ra 

 " Shwe-hti. The king soon became familiar with the youth, gave 

 " him a house to live in, and bestowed upon him in marriage one of 

 " the female attendants of the palace. This young woman, after 

 " having learnt how to prepare dishes, according to the Kula method, 

 " was accustomed to present such eatables to the king. Not only that, 

 " but wine and sweet intoxicating drinks, were also presented, of 

 " which the king became very fond. At last the Kula was wished to 

 " live in the palace. From constantly drinking these liquors the 

 " disposition of the king became changed from good to bad. He 

 "gave contradictory and absurd orders. He attributed wrong motives 

 " to innocent men, and ordered them to be put to death. At length 



