TO THE OOUItT OF AVA. 
441 
ancestors, but as inevitable inflictions merited 
by the individual on account of himself or an¬ 
cestors, and the necessary results of the present 
imperfect order of the world. Those afflicted, 
consequently experience, generally speaking, lit¬ 
tle compassion or sympathy. There is indeed 
some merit in bestowing charity upon lepers 
and other beggars; but it is very trifling in¬ 
deed, in comparison with that of giving alms to 
the priests, or making gifts to or endowing 
temples. 
Nov. 24.-—I received intimation yesterday, 
that the Burman negotiators would meet us 
to-day, and they accordingly came about one 
o’clock. A short time before their arrival, I 
was informed that they would come ready to 
sign and seal such a Commercial Treaty as they 
had made up their minds to give. I was a good 
deal surprised at this statement after the procras¬ 
tination which had been practised ; and would 
have discredited the account altogether, had I 
not learned to understand, by this time, that 
the Burman Government is capable of acting 
upon occasions with a caprice which baffles all 
calculation. The account which I had thus re¬ 
ceived proved to be strictly true. The two 
chiefs made their appearance with the public 
seal of the Government, and two expert writers, 
