242 JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
lias a smattering of the Pali, has studied astro¬ 
logy, is a great adept in alchemy, has a turn for 
mechanical pursuits, and a better taste in ar¬ 
chitecture than is usual with a Burman. For 
theology he has no great inclination, and seems 
to content himself with doing what he consi¬ 
ders absolutely necessary in religious matters, 
but no more. 
The Queen'is about two years older than his 
Majesty, has a good person and a dignified ad¬ 
dress, but was never handsome. She appeared 
to us to be the reverse; but the distance and 
the dazzle of gold, of ornaments, and rich dresses, 
prevented any distinct view of her features. 
She is by birth of low origin, being the daugh¬ 
ter of a chief gaoler,—not however one of those 
who are pardoned malefactors. When the pre¬ 
sent King was heir-apparent, she was taken into 
his seraglio as a concubine, and soon acquired 
a powerful influence over him, which, instead 
of diminishing by time, has ever since increased, 
and at present she and her party may be said 
to exercise the principal share in the govern¬ 
ment of the country. The lawful wife of the 
King, and the mother of the present heir- 
apparent, was the daughter of the King’s uncle, 
the Prince of Prome. This lady died a few 
days after the birth of the heir-apparent; her 
