1864.] 



On the history of the JBurmali Mace. 



issued, and it was prepared for food. Its flavour was whatever the 

 eater desired. From eating of this food, human passions were develop- 

 ed, and the "beings became men and women. Then as evil deeds began 

 to prevail, the wise censured and severely treated the others. The 

 latter wishing to hide their evil deeds built houses. Then the lazy 

 among them having stored up the food, the Thalay rice acquired 

 husk, with a coating of coarse and fine bran, and where it once had 

 appeared, it did not sprout again. They then said, — " It is good for 

 us to divide among us the Thalay rice plants, to possess each his own." 

 Then they distributed the Thalay rice plants. After that, an unprinci- 

 pled one among them, fearing that his own share would not suffice, 

 stole the share of another. Once and twice he was warned ; in the 

 third offence, he was beaten. From that time theft, falsehood and 

 punishment existed." 



The world's first inhabitants then assembled and thus consulted 

 together : " Now wicked times have come ; therefore let us select an 

 upright religious man, one having the name and authority of a ruler, to 

 reprove those who deserve reproof, and to expel those who deserve to 

 be expelled, and let us give him a tenth share of our Thalay rice." This 

 was agreed to, and an excellent man, full of glory and authority, the 

 embryo of our Gautama Phra, being entreated to save them, was 

 elected king, and was called Mahd-tha-ma-dd. In verse, it is sun<>* 

 that he was of pure nature, of exalted authority, and of the race of 

 the sun. 



" Like a second sun, he dispelled darkness or ignorance ; his good 

 qualities shone as the light, and from his power and authority, and 

 from being the first of kings in acts of great diligence, he is called 

 Manoo. # After this, men of wisdom who desired to destroy wicked- 

 ness, lived in huts in the forest, and ate only what they received in 

 charity ; they were called Brahmans. Others tilled the ground and 

 traded ; they were called wealthy men and merchants. The rest being 

 poor persons in humble employments were called Soodras, or poor 

 people. Such were the four classes of men.f" 



This history represents king Maha-tha-ma-dd as reignino- for 



an 



* The word appears to mean generally lawgiver or king. The word is Indian 

 not Burman. 



f Among the four classes, it will be observed that the ruling power is placed 

 first according to the Badhist system, The Brahmans appear as literati and 



ascetics. 



B 2 



