436 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



regretted much the want of a ready communication, which alone prevent- 

 ed his putting the numerous questions which he would be glad to ask. 

 He said that the only drawback to the pleasure he experienced in seeing 

 us, was the fear he had of the Barmans putting misconstruction on our visit, 

 and of their taking advantage of it to oppress him and the country anew. 

 We represented the friendly state of the two powers, and endeavoured, 

 by such arguments as occurred, to lessen his fears ; however, if there be any 

 danger, it is yet remote, for a long period has elapsed since a Burman 

 party has visited the country. Finding him less of the wary politician, 

 and of a more frank and communicative disposition than his nephew, I, in 

 my turn, made some geographical inquiries of him, but I found his infor- 

 mation very limited. The Khamungs inhabit the lower mountains, 

 beyond the Irawadi, visible at the distance of twenty or thirty miles to 

 the eastward, and a poorer and more savage race, the higher ranges. The 



former supply the Khamtis with salt, and have the art of forging the Daos, 



« 

 or swords, so much in request ; the latter are scarcely known by name, and 



are said to be naked and barbarous ; their habitations are not supposed to 



extend to the other side of a high range, which is in winter snow-capped. 



The Lukyang, or other Chinese rivers, are not known. With the Lama 



country, there is no immediate intercourse whatever, traffic is carried on, 



as in Asam, through the intervention of the Mishmis, who cross from the 



La Thi (falling into the Brahmaputra,) to the Namseya, the principal 



branch of the Namlang. No road exists by the sources of the Irawadi. 



Majestic peaks, covered with perpetual snow, are seen from hence, in 



which the Irawadi and one branch of the Brahmaputra have their rise. 



I was lame from an unpleasant sore in the foot, contracted on the 

 march, and Lieutenant Burlton was not at all in order for moving about. 

 On the third day of our stay, however, I strolled out to the temple, and 

 saw the chief priest, a fine old fellow, who was completely delighted with 

 the wonders he saw : he and his attendants subjected me and my dress to 



