34 JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
hope of gaining some one point or other, and 
this too even in cases where it might appear to 
other people wise and prudent to conciliate or 
accommodate. Defeat by no means discomfits 
them, nor are they ashamed when their unrea¬ 
sonable demands are seen through, and their 
machinations baffled. The possibility of success 
is sufficient to encourage them to advance any 
proposition, however extravagant; and they 
seem to be incapable of taking into account the 
loss of character and consideration which may 
ensue, and the distrust and jealousy which must 
necessarily be excited in their antagonists by 
this vicious line of conduct. 
The Wungyi, throughout the conference, 
maintained the most tranquil and courteous 
demeanour; and, notwithstanding the defeat 
of his projects, parted with us, to all appear¬ 
ance, in perfect good humour. The proposals 
which he made to us in the conference, were, 
no doubt, grounded on the general views of 
the Burman Court. Personal vanity however, 
and a desire to display the extent of his au¬ 
thority—which is indeed much greater than 
that of any previous viceroy of Pegu—before 
his officers and retainers, had, I think, some 
share in his proceeding. When I stated that 
I had no authority to negotiate with him per- 
