250 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
Burmans had nothing to apprehend from an 
opposite behaviour, and when they were as in¬ 
dependent of us as the Siamese at the period 
of my visit to that country. 
Constables with long rods in their hands were 
stationed on each side of the procession, to keep 
the populace in order; but there was little need 
for their services, and we scarcely perceived 
them until after our arrival at the Bungd’hau, 
when they became more necessary in preserving 
order among the followers of the different chiefs, 
who were assembled in great numbers between 
the Rungd’hau and the Palace gate, and dis¬ 
posed to be noisy but not disrespectful. The 
nature and history of the office of these con¬ 
stables form one of the ugliest and most odious 
features of the Burman Government. They are 
denominated in the language Pa-kwet, which 
means “the cheek branded with a circle.” They 
are, in fact, most frequently atrocious malefac¬ 
tors, pardoned in consideration of their perform¬ 
ing for life the duties of constables, gaolers, and 
executioners, for all these offices are united in 
one person. They receive no pay or reward 
for their services, and must live by their wits; 
that is to say, by the extortion and impositions 
practised upon their unfortunate prisoners. Be¬ 
sides the ring on each cheek, a mark which im- 
