APPENDIX. 
109 
stated that a soldier could not be obtained to fight against 
the 44 White Kulas” for one hundred and fifty deals of 
flowered silver; whereas, if called upon to fight the Sia¬ 
mese or Talains, or any such people, they would 44 go 
forth dancing.” 
Q. Have you been frequently admitted into the pre¬ 
sence of his Majesty the King of Ava ?— A. During my 
second residence in Ava, of five or six months, I saw his 
Majesty almost every day. I sometimes saw him at his 
public levees, but at all times had free access to the palace, 
and have frequently conversed with the King on subjects 
of geography, religion, and history, for ten minutes or a 
quarter of an hour together. His Majesty was incapa¬ 
ble of giving his attention to any subject for a longer 
time. 
Q. What is his Majesty’s personal appearance and cha¬ 
racter P— A. He is a man about forty years of age, of 
rather a dark complexion, and in person small and slen¬ 
der. His manners are graceful, and in public dignified. 
In private, he is affable, and playful to boyishness. His 
disposition is obliging and liberal, and he is anxious to 
see every one around him happy. His mind is indolent, 
and he is incapable of any continued application. His 
time is passed in sensual enjoyment, in listening to music, 
or seeing dancing or theatrical entertainments ; but, above 
all, in the company of his principal Queen, to whom he is 
devoted even to infatuation. His personal activity is re¬ 
markable for an Eastern Prince, and scarcely a day passes 
that he does not go on the river in boats, or ride on horse¬ 
back or an elephant. He is partial to Europeans. No 
person of this description comes before him without re¬ 
ceiving some marks of kindness. The safety of the Euro¬ 
pean and American prisoners is chiefly to be ascribed to 
this partiality. His Majesty is not bigoted to his own 
