8CN> FESTIVAL*, 



or four feet square. Within this are tiers of fireworks 

 of almost every description. At the expiration of 

 each separate tier, a small platform, or frame, drops 

 al>out a foot below the box, on which are exhibited, 

 in fire, puppets of men and animals, and Chinese char- 

 acters traced in fire. The Chinese used to let small 

 balloons fly at their festivals ; but the practice being* 

 dangerous to property, is prohibited; for these are not 

 inflated by prepared gas, but by rarifying the air in 

 them by fire placed below, die under part being left 

 open. If III*- Chinese are to be believed, the balloon was 

 made use of by one of their generals who invaded the 

 Burman country; but whether to reconnoitre like the 

 French, or merely as an instrument of offence, has not 

 been explained: the latter may however be presumed. 



Ma~choo was a virgin of old, who was gifted wilh 

 second sight, In which she was enabled to see, in a 

 vision, the v, ivck of her father's vessel at sea, at the 

 precise moment at which it happened. 



TEE-WOA, OR THE FOURTH MONTH. 



On the eighth dav of this month, the Chinese hold a 

 festival in honor of Foot-so, or Booddha, in one of hi* 

 incarnations. His image is carried in procession. 

 In China he is taken amongst the grain, and other 

 cultivation, to preserve it from insects and disease ; 

 fur Uooddha'a distinctive attribute was humanity. 

 The oblations are tea, wine, and bread. Nothing 

 w hich had life is ottered. 



NGO-WOA, THE FIFTH MONTH. 



The festival of the deified sage Toa Saga [perhaps 

 Saryu] it held on ihe 5th of this mouth, and boat- 

 races form the Chief occupation of this day. Bets run 

 high occasionally. The prize dees not generally ex- 

 ceed one hundred dollars in value, and consists of a 

 golden ornament, and dresses. These are fixed to the 

 winning post, which last is stuck in the mud. The 



