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JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
this vague and loosely constructed language it is 
also applied to the 64 bearer of a burthen.” Figu¬ 
ratively, it means the bearer or holder of an office, 
and is a generic term, restricted to some officers of 
the highest rank, such as the governors of pro¬ 
vinces, public ministers, &c. The word kri, pro¬ 
nounced gyi, is the adjective great; and hence 
Wun-gyi means <tf the bearer of the great bur¬ 
then,” or a first minister. All public matters are 
discussed by the Wun-gyis, and the decision is 
by a majority of voices. They exercise not only 
legislative and executive functions, but judicial 
ones. Each member also, at his own dwelling, 
decides upon private business. This is principally 
judicial, and he may exercise either primary or 
appellate jurisdiction; there being, however, an 
appeal from his decision to the council collective¬ 
ly. Every royal edict requires by law, or rather 
by usage, the sanction of this council: indeed the 
King’s name never appears in any edict or procla¬ 
mation, the acts of the Eut-d’hau being, in fact, 
considered his acts. This council has the further 
privilege of requesting the King’s personal pre¬ 
sence at their deliberations. For his Majesty’s ac¬ 
commodation on such occasions, there is a throne 
in its hall, and a private door leading to the apart¬ 
ments of the palace for him to enter by. 
Each of the four Wun-gyis has his deputy, and 
these are also officers of high rank. The title of 
their office is Wun-dauk, or more correctly, Wun- 
