TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
127 
As connected with the subject of religion, and 
forming indeed a material part of it, I may refer 
for a moment to what is peculiar in the funerals of 
the Burmese, as far as they have not been described 
in the Journal. In Siam, the practice of enbow- 
elling the dead, and preserving the body embalm¬ 
ed, for an extravagantly long period before it is 
consumed on the funeral pile, is followed in regard 
to laymen of rank as well as to the priesthood. In 
Ava it is confined to the latter. The funeral pile 
in this case is a car on wheels; and the body is 
blown away, from a huge wooden cannon or mor¬ 
tar, with the purpose, I believe, of conveying the 
soul more rapidly to heaven ! Immense crowds 
are collected on occasions of these funerals, which, 
far from being conducted with mourning or so¬ 
lemnity, are occasions of rude mirth and boister¬ 
ous rejoicing. Ropes are attached to each extre¬ 
mity of the car, and pulled in opposite directions 
by adverse parties; one of these being for con¬ 
suming the body, the other for opposing it. The 
latter are at length overcome, fire is set to the 
pile amidst loud acclamations, and the ceremony 
is consummated. 
