68 



On the History of the Burma race. 



[No. 2, 



of Bhureng Noung. The army advanced with great difficulties 

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

 Noung, was indefatigable in his exertions, and his son, a boy 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, 

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

 11 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 



