MALAYAN PENINSULA. I57 



(with reference to their semi-barbarous state,) attained to a very respect- 

 able degree of proficiency in sculpture. The bells of their temples have 

 generally inscribed on them some pious sentences, and the name and 

 titles of the person who bestowed them. 



The only inscription observed by me, was that which Alongphra, or 

 Alampra, caused to be engraved on a marble slab ; which stands under a 

 shed at the great Shiii Madii temple at Pegu. It records his valorous 

 exploits and pious disposition. The alabaster, of which the Burmans 

 form their images, is only procurable within the proper Ava territory. 

 The Prapatha, or Prabdt, is an engraving often found on granite slabs 

 at temples — and is intended to represent an impression of a foot of Bud- 

 dha. They contain many emblems, most of which are obscure, and only 

 to be made out by the help of a Phuugi, or priest of Buddha. The 

 Martaban Phungis could not inform me when Buddhism was introduc- 

 ed into Martaban. But from several circumstances, it should seem, that 

 the country was only settled about A. D. 1286. From an attentive ex- 

 amination of such Bali MSS., as have come into my possession, I am 

 quite disposed to conclude, that the Buddhist religion reached the Indo- 

 Chinese nations progressively from Ceylon — and that the Bali language, 

 as now used amongst them, however varied the alphabets may be ia 

 which it is written, is identically the same with that employed by the 

 Cingalese priests of Ceylon. This last approaches so very closely to the 

 Pracrit, that it becomes doubtful which is the elder language of the two. 

 A comparison betwixt them would shew, which is the direct derivative 

 from the Sanscrit. 



Above the rocks described, the river flows through a rich alluvial 

 country, thinly inhabited by tribes of Khyens, or Karians. These people 

 carry on a bartering trade with the traders of Martaban. They treated 



R 2 me 



