TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
243 
death, it is alleged, having been hastened by 
her husband’s neglect and the ascendancy gain¬ 
ed by her rival. The late King and all the 
royal family did every thing in their power to 
discourage the present connection ; but the op¬ 
position which the King has experienced on 
this point, has only tended to confirm him in 
his attachment. He seldom goes abroad, or 
shows himself to his subjects, without being ac¬ 
companied by the Queen. On the most so¬ 
lemn occasions, she sits with him upon the 
throne; and in public processions, her vehicle 
is carried side by side with his. When they 
are spoken of, the customary form of expres¬ 
sion is not “ the King ” or “ the Queen” sepa¬ 
rately, but “ the two Sovereign Lords.” So 
great is her power over him, and so unaccount¬ 
able does it appear, that her enemies charge her 
with the practice of magic; and some of the 
royal family, it is said, familiarly speak of her 
under the name of “ the sorceress.” None of 
his Queens ever sat with his late Majesty on 
the throne during his long reign, nor have I 
been able to ascertain that it was ever the prac¬ 
tice of the Burman kings before his present 
Majesty’s accession. In an Eastern country, at 
all events, it is certainly a singular spectacle. 
When the last Chinese Embassy received an 
