FARTHER INim. 



963 



of proceeding are resorted to, but the administration of justice is so inefficient, that the country 

 is overrun with robbers and criminals. 



The Birmese are distinguished into 7 classes, which have each peculiar privileges ; these are 

 the royal family, the public officers, the priests, the rich men, the laborers, the slaves, and out- 

 casts. None of the classes constitutes an hereditary caste, except the slaves of pagodas and 

 outcasts, and all except these may aspire to the highest honors, which are often bestowed on 

 persons of low origin. The laborers are considered as slaves of the king, who may at all times 

 command their services. Women are not shut up, as in many eastern countries, but in many 

 respects they are exposed to the most degrading treatment, and may even be sold for a time to 

 strangers. A Biiman cannot leave the country without the permission of the king, which is 

 only granted for a limited time, and women are never allowed to quit it at all. 



The houses are of slight materials, but they are sufficiently commodious and comfortable. 

 Bamboos fixed in the ground, and tied horizontally with strips of rattan, compose the frame- 

 work, which is then covered with mats and thatched with grass. A spacious mansion may be 

 built in one or two days, and a tolerable house in a few hours. The frequent devastations oc- 

 casioned by fire are, therefore, easily and speedily repaired. The houses of the most wealthy, 

 in the large towns, are, however, often built of wood, with planked floors, and panneled doors 

 and window-shutters, but without laths, plaster, or glass. But the architectural taste and skill 

 ol the Birmese is more favorably displayed in the zayats, pagodas, and temples, some of which 

 are truly magnificent and noble. The description already given of the Shoodagon, is a sufficient 

 illustration of this remark. 



The dress exhibits the same contrast as in other semi-civilized countries ; that of the poor, 



shght and scanty ; that of the rich, splendid. The attire of the 

 ordinary Birman females, is merely a loose robe or sheet, tucked 

 under the arm, which scarcely serves the purposes of decency ; 

 the higher classes, and even some of the lower, add an ingle or 

 jacket, open in front, and generally of muslin or lace. Nothing is 

 worn on the head, but a cigar is very commonly seen in the 

 mouth or hand. The men of the working classes are nearly na- 

 ked, the dress consisting merely of a narrow strip of cotton wound 

 round the middle, or, when not at work, thrown over the shoul- 

 der. The nobles wear a similar wrapper of silk or velvet, with a 

 jacket, and all classes invariably wear the turban. The particular 

 dress, and the ornaments indicate the rank of the wearer, and 

 must on no account be assumed by an inferior class ; the same 

 remark is true of the architecture and ornaments of houses. The 

 use of gold in ear-rings, large quills, and masses, and as the ma- 

 terial of the betel box, spittoon, and drinking cup, designates a nobleman of the first rank. 



The principal article of food is rice, generally cooked with chillie or capsicum, but various 

 Dther vegetables are much used ; roots, fruits, seeds, leaves, and blossoms, with insects, rep- 

 tiles, fish, &c. It is not lawful to take the life of tame animals, but even this rule is often 

 evaded, and the flesh of any that have died by accident or disease, is gladly devoured. The 

 rice is eaten with the fingers. Smoking tobacco is almost universal with both sexes ; the pipe 

 is rarely used, but the cheroot is as rarely wanting. Chewing the mixture called coon is com- 

 mon here, as in some of the neighboring countries. This preparation consists of a slice of the 

 areca nut, a small piece of ciitch or gum, and some tobacco, rolled up in a leaf of betel pepper, 

 which is smeared with chunam or lime. It turns the teeth black, colors the mouth a deep red, 

 and excites profuse saliva. The custom of blacking the teeth is here universal. 



The foreign commerce of Birmah is considerable, but it is carried on by foreign vessels ; 

 the inland trade with China is more important, and is carried on by means of caravans, consist- 

 mg of from 50 to 200 men, each having from 10 to 20 mules or horses, carrying panniers. 

 These animals are guided by large black dogs, some of which lead the way, and others follow 

 to bring up the stragglers. Raw cotton, wax, cutch, stick lack, tripang or sea-slug, shark's 

 fins, &c., are sent to China, and teak-wood in large quantities to the British territories. Chi- 

 nese and British manufactured articles are imported. 



The military force consists entirely of a feudal militia, which, in the late war with the British, 

 proved itself brave and enterprising, but badly disciphned and organized, and poorly armed. 

 The king has about .500 war boats, which are from 80 to 100 feet long, and carry from 50 to 



120 



Birmese. 



