TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
75 
productive place in rice within the whole province, 
and afforded a considerable revenue to the Bur¬ 
mese Government. At sunset we reached Mar¬ 
taban, about twenty-seven miles from the mouth 
of the river. The prospect which opens itself 
upon the stranger here is probably one of the 
most beautiful and imposing which Oriential sce¬ 
nery can present. The waters of three large ri¬ 
vers, the Saluen, the Ataran, and the Gain, meet 
at this spot, and immediately proceed to the sea 
by two wide channels; so that, in fact, the open¬ 
ings of five distinct rivers are, as it were, seen at 
one view, proceeding like radii from a centre. 
This centre itself is a wide expanse of waters in¬ 
terspersed with numerous wooded islands. The 
surrounding country consists generally of woody 
hills, frequently crowned with white temples. In 
the distance are to be seen the high mountains 
of Zingai, and in favourable weather the more 
distant and lofty ones which separate Martaban 
from the countries of Lao and Siam. Captain 
Fenwick, the Civil Superintendent of Martaban, 
came on board to compliment us upon our arrival. 
Shortly after we landed with this gentleman, and 
passed the evening with him at his house, where 
we arranged an excursion, for the following day, 
up the Saluen to the Caves of Kogun. 
“ Early on the morning of the 4th, a party vi¬ 
sited the little picturesque island of Taongz6, op¬ 
posite the town, and which is covered with white 
