TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
199 
as before, and on this occasion, in testimony of 
liis Majesty’s satisfaction, a double allowance 
the Burmans appearing to mark their favour to 
their guests, like the Greeks of Homer, by the 
quantity of food they set before them. Besides 
the ordinary collation, there was also sent for 
each guest a separate supply of betel, fine to¬ 
bacco, and lapet, or Burman tea. This last ar¬ 
ticle is dressed with sesamum, oil, and garlic, and 
its taste in this state is not unlike that of olives. 
This is the produce of the Burman territories, 
growing on the hills north of Ava. It appears 
to be a true but coarse tea (Thea), with very 
large leaves. At our return home in the even¬ 
ing there was a heavy squall, and this morning 
we understood that three persons overtaken by 
it in the river were drowned. 
Oct. 15.—In compliance with the urgent de¬ 
sire of our Burman friends, for our curiosity 
had been already sufficiently gratified, we again 
appeared yesterday at the boat-races : they 
were only distinguished from those of the two 
preceding days by the procession which closed 
them. A little before sunset, the King and 
Queen, with their infant daughter, and the 
heir-apparent, stepped into their state boats, 
surrounded by a number of gilt war-boats, upon 
the signal of three cannon being discharged : 
