Bengal to the Malay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



315 



and upon all other import and export articles 8 per cent, except upon tim- 

 ber, which bears a duty of 2 per cent. only. 



Regulations. — Manifest of cargo must be delivered, including ammu- 

 nition, arms, &c. Every article omitted is liable to seizure. Every time 

 a person lands from the ship, he must submit to be searched at the Custom- 

 house, or Godown. 



Provisions and Refreshments. — Oxen and buffaloes are plentiful, 

 but are not permitted to be killed, on account of the religious prejudices of 

 the natives ; they can therefore only be obtained clandestinely. Poultry is 

 abundant, and as reasonable as at Calcutta. Hogs, goats, and deer are 

 numerous, and the latter forms the principal food of the Europeans and 

 natives. Rice, fruit, and vegetables are likewise plentiful. Water is ob- 

 tained from the river, or from wells in the town. 



Coins.— The Burmans, like the Chinese, have no coin. Silver in 

 bullion, and lead, are the current monies of the country ; weight and purity 

 are of course the standard of value, and in the ascertainment of both, the 

 natives are exceedingly scrupulous and expert. 



What foreigners call a tical, or tackal, properly kiat, is the most 

 general piece of silver in circulation ; it weighs 10 dwts, 10.75 grs., and is 

 thus divided : — 



2 Tub bees equal to 1 Moo. 



2 Moos » I Math. 



4 Maths I Tical. 



100 TicalB 1 Vis. 



The Burmans keep their accounts in decimals, after the manner of the 

 Chinese. 



Money scales and weights are all fabricated at the capital, where they 

 are stamped, and afterwards circulated throughout the empire ; the use of 

 any others is prohibited. 



The Bankers, called by foreigners Pymons, are likewise workers in 

 silver, and assayers of metal. This class of people is very numerous, and 

 indispensably necessary, as no stranger can undertake either to pay or 

 receive money without having it first examined. Every merchant has a 

 banker of this description, with whom he deposits all his cash, and who, 

 for receiving and paying, gets an established commission of 1 per cent. ; in 

 consideration of which, he is responsible for the quality of what goes 

 through his hands, and a breach of trust is very seldom heard of 



The quantity of alloy varies in the silver current in different parts of 

 the empire. At Rangoon it is adulterated 25 per cent. In pure, or what 

 is called flowered silver, all royal dues are paid. The several modifications 

 are as follow : — 



