TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
233 
of Gautama,—representatives of his divinity, 
and therefore suitable objects of worship.” This 
was done by a Than-d’hau-gan, or Reporter of 
the Palace. The list was read or rather sung, 
from a book which he held before him. 
It is necessary that I should here explain the 
time and occasion taken by the Burman Court 
for our presentation. It was the Burman Lent, 
or Fast, at the beginning and termination of 
which, as well as at the new year, the tributa¬ 
ries and public officers make offerings to the 
King, and “ask pardon” for all offences com¬ 
mitted in the intervening period. These festi¬ 
vals, which continue for three days, are distin¬ 
guished by the epithet of Ka-dau, which word 
means “ pardon asking.” Our presentation was 
evidently put off from day to day, that we 
might appear among the crowd of suppliants 
asking forgiveness for past offences ! The con¬ 
viction of their defeat and humiliation was, I 
may safely say, universal amongst the Burmans 
of every rank —it was obvious in their demea¬ 
nour and their apprehensions ; yet so excessive 
was the vanity of the Court, that it was gratifi¬ 
ed, or at least its pride was soothed, by getting 
up a show, what must have appeared, even to 
itself, little better than a farce. 
The presentation of offerings commenced with 
