TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
277 
wards in such a manner as to touch the ground 
with the head, and without any assistance from 
the hands to recover the erect position; but 
their movements were violent, their gestures 
ungraceful, and sometimes a little indecent. 
They sung while they danced, and in both re¬ 
spects seemed as if they were performing for a 
wager. The presents given to us upon this oc¬ 
casion were to each a small ruby-ring, a broad- 
brimmed straw hat, not unlike a lady’s Leghorn 
bonnet, and a handsome bamboo betel-box, of 
Shan or Lao manufacture. 
This chief commonly goes under the name of 
Men-tha-gyi, which may be rendered 66 the great 
Prince.” This does not seem to be a title but 
an epithet bestowed upon him by common con¬ 
sent through fear or flattery. The rich district 
of Salen is assigned to him for his subsistence, 
and according to the common usage he is some¬ 
times called Salen-men, or Lord of Salen. But 
besides the income he derives from this estate, 
he has many other sources of emolument, one 
of the most considerable of which is a duty of 
one per cent, upon the whole amount of the 
Chinese trade. While the King’s coffers are 
empty, he and the Queen are known to have 
hoarded a considerable treasure; for her Majesty 
has an assignment upon the whole regular reve- 
