122 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
ernmost of the four grand islands which surround 
the mount, each of which is again surrounded by 
four hundred of smaller size. 
“ The celestial regions consist of six inferior 
and twenty superior heavens. Of the six infe¬ 
rior heavens, the first occupies the middle, and 
the second the summit of the Myen-mo mount. 
The remaining four rise above each other in re¬ 
gular gradation. The same remark applies to the 
superior heavens, which are again distinguished 
into the sixteen visible and the four invisible. 
The infernal regions consist of eight hills, one 
above another, each being surrounded by sixteen 
smaller hills. 
“ The universe is replete with an infinity of 
souls, which have been transmigrating in differ¬ 
ent bodies from all eternity; ascent or descent 
in the scale of existence, being at every change 
of state ascertained by the “ immutably myste¬ 
rious laws of fate,” according to the merit or de¬ 
merit of the individual. No being is exempt 
from sickness, old age, and death. Instability, 
pain, and change, are the three grand character¬ 
istics of all existence. 
“ However highly exalted in the celestial re¬ 
gions, and whatever number of ages of happiness 
may roll on,” say the Burmans, “ the fata] symp¬ 
tom of a moisture under the arm-pits will at 
length display itself.” The mortal being, when 
this presents itself, must be prepared to exchange 
