312 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Benga^ to the Malay. 



extending N. E. and S. W., almost covered with thick jungle, and full of 

 deep inlets of salt water. At the N. E. extremity is a hill with an old 

 pagoda upon it ; and on the S. W. end is a plain, or flat, which is the only 

 part sufficiently cleared, to allow of the erection of a few fishermen's huts, 

 and the pasturage of some cattle. No run of fresh water could be found 

 when the British troops landed there in 162k 



The entrance into Negrais harbour is described as difficult, the channel 

 being narrow ; it is quite secure from all winds. The river thence to Bas- 

 sein is clear ami safe from the island to Bassein. 



DIAMOND ISLAND, in latitude 15*52 N., and longitude 94 c 19 E., 

 is about seven miles to the S. of Pagoda Point, and fronting the entrance 

 of Ava Uiver ; it is about I] mile in extent, low, and covered with trees, 

 but should not be approached by large vessels, on account of the reefs that 

 surround it. 



Diamond Island is at some seasons much frequented by turtle, and has 

 been occasionally visited by men of war stationed in India ; but a great 

 number of lives have been lost, it being extremely dangerous and unhealthy 

 for people to remain on shore during the night. 



PEGU. — The coast of Pegu extends from Ava, or Persaim River, to 

 the Gulph of Martaban, and is generally low and woody, intersected by 

 many rivers, with reefs and shoal water extending along it to a considerable 

 distance, Rangoon River, called also Sirian and Pegu River, is the only 

 place on this coast frequented by European ships. The entrance to the 

 river is known by a grove of trees, about fifteen miles to the S. W., called 

 China Buckeer. This mark, ships that are bound into the river, first 

 endeavour to make. 



RANGOON. — This town is about twenty miles up a considerable 

 branch of the principal river, having a bar, on which are only about two 

 fathoms at low water ; but the perpendicular rise ami fall of the tide is fre- 

 quently 21 feet. Ships bound into the river should anchor at its entrance, 

 and make the signal for a pilot, or dispatch a boat into the river for one, if 

 the weather be favourable, 



Rangoon stretches along the banks of the river about a mile, and is 

 not more than the third of a mile in breadth. The city is a square, sur- 

 rounded by a high stockade ; and on the N. side it is further strengthened 

 by a fosse, across which a wooden bridge is thrown ; in this face there are 

 two gates, but in each of the others only one. On the S. side towards the 

 river, which is about 20 or 30 yards from the palisade, there are a number 

 of huts, and three wharfs with cranes for landing goods, which enable 

 ships to deliver and receive cargoes expeditiously, and without the use of 



