166 
JGUHNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
for ever impart mutual blessings to both. Let 
no cloud intervene or mist arise to obscure its 
genial rays.” The Kyi-wun was by no means 
sparing in panegyric, and dealt it all round to 
our party with a liberal hand. He was equally 
solicitous to become the subject of our praises, 
and put a number of direct questions with this 
view ; implying less tact and discretion than 
might have been looked for in an old courtier. 
The subject of business was introduced, after 
much preparation. The first point touched 
upon was that of the presents from the Gover¬ 
nor-General to the King, This was done with 
delicacy and moderation, instead of the indeco¬ 
rum and rapacity which I had experienced on 
the same subject from the courtiers of Siam. 
It was simply hinted by the Kyi-wun, that he 
would like to gratify the King’s curiosity by 
mentioning to him the names of two or three 
of the most curious articles. I named two or 
three, and voluntarily furnished a complete list 
of the whole. The Kyi-wun then asked me 
when the British army was to quit Rangoon. I 
answered, that when I left that place the w T hole 
of the second instalment due by the Burmese 
Government had not been discharged; that the 
period of payment had been exceeded on the part 
of the Burman Government by three months; 
