16 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
Here we found two inscriptions on slabs of sand¬ 
stone, apparently in the modern character, but of 
a very rude form, and too much defaced to be 
read. 
Nyaong-ku supplies the greater part of the 
kingdom with lacker-ware. The articles manu¬ 
factured consist of betel boxes, cups, bowls, large 
boxes for keeping fine clothes, and for serving 
viands. The fabric is very simple. The frame 
consists of plaited bamboo, over which is laid a 
paste consisting of coarse varnish mixed up with 
bone-ashes. When the article thus far prepared 
is dry, a layer of varnish mixed up with ver¬ 
milion is laid upon it; this is followed by a 
second, third, or even fourth layer of varnish, of 
a finer description, according to the quality of the 
article to be manufactured. The figures are drawn 
with a rude iron style, and yet are sometimes 
extremely neat and tasteful: this ware is compa¬ 
ratively very cheap : a hundred cups, each capable 
of containing a pint, may be bought at Nyaong-ku 
for six ticals of flowered silver, or about fifteen 
shillings : these will last about six months. The 
finer descriptions of the manufacture, however, 
are much dearer. A more durable description of 
lacker-ware, but more costly, is imported in con¬ 
siderable quantity from Lao. These together 
serve the Burmans, in a good measure, in the 
place not only of cabinet-work, but of glass, fine 
porcelain, and the utensils of brass, pewter, and 
