Infantry and cavalry compose the regular guards of the king; the former are armed with muskets and sabres, the latter are provided with a spear about 7 or 8 feet long, which they manage on horseback with great dexterity, seldom requiring or making use of any other weapon. The infantry are not uniformly clothed: 'I heard various accounts,' says major Symes, of their numbers: 700 do constant duty within the precincts and at the several gates of the palace: I think that on the day of my public reception, I saw about 2,000, and have no doubt but all the troops in the city were paraded on that occasion. I was told that there were only 300 cavalry in Ummerapoora, but that 2,000 were scattered, in small detachments, throughout the neighbouring districts. All the troopers in the king's service are natives of Cassay, who are much better horsemen than the Birmans. Mr. Wood, who saw some of them at exercise, informed me that they nearly resembled those he had met with in Assam; they ride, like all orientals, with short stirrups and a loose rein; their saddle is hard and high, and two large circular flaps of strong leather hang down on each side, painted or gilded, according to the quality of the rider. Their dress is not unbecoming; they wear a tight coat, with skirts reaching down to the middle of the thigh, and on their head a turban of cloth, hard rolled and plaited, that forms a high cone, which bends backward in a graceful manner.' By far the most respectable part of the Birman military force is their establishment of war-boats. The king can command, at a very short notice, 500 of these vessels. They carry from 50 to 60 rowers, who use short oars that work on a spindle. The rowers are severally provided with a sword and a lance, which are placed by his side whilst he plies the oars. Besides the boatmen, there are usually 30 soldiers on board, who are armed with muskets: thus prepared, they go in fleets to meet the foe, and, when in sight, draw up in a line, presenting their prows to the enemy. Their attack is extremely impetuous; they advance with great rapidity, and sing a war-song, at once to encourage their people, daunt their adversaries, and regulate the strokes of their oars; they generally endeavour to grapple, and when that is effected, the action becomes very severe, as these people are endued with great courage, strength, and activity. Food. In their food the Birmans, compared with the Indians, are gross and uncleanly. Although their religion forbids the slaughter of animals in general, yet they apply the interdiction only to those that are domesticated; all game is eagerly sought after, and in many places it is publicly sold; reptiles, also, such as lizards, guanas, and snakes, constitute a part of the subsistence of the lower classes. They are extremely fond of vegetables. The higher ranks, however, live with more delicacy, although their fare is never very sumptuous. Climate. The climate of every part of the Birman empire, which major Symes visited, bore testimony to its salubrity, by the best possible criterion, the appearance and vigour of the natives. The seasons are regular, and the extremes of heat and cold are seldom experienced; at least the duration of that intense heat, which immediately precedes the commencement of the rainy season, is so short, that it incommodes but for a little time. Produce. The soil of the southern provinces of the Birman empire is remarkably fertile, and produces as luxuriant crops of rice as are found in the finest parts of Bengal. Farther northward the country becomes irregular and mountainous ; but the plains and vallies, particularly near the river, are fruitful; they yield good wheat, and the various kinds of small grain which grow in Hindostan; as likewise legumes, and most of the esculent vegetables of India. Sugar canes, tobacco of a superior quality, indigo, cotton, and the different tropical fruits, in perfection, are all indigenous products of this favoured land. The empire abounds with minerals of every description. Manners. It has already been noticed, that the general disposition of the Birmans is strikingly contrasted with that of the natives of India, from whom they are separated only by a narrow range of mountains, in many places admitting of an easy intercourse. Notwithstanding the small extent of this barrier, the physical difference between the nations could scarcely be greater, had they been situated at the opposite extremities of the globe. The Birmans are a lively, inquisitive race, active, irascible, and impatient; the character of their Bengal neighbours is too well known, as the reverse, to need any delineation; the unworthy passion of jealousy, which prompts most nations of the east to immure their women within the walls of a haram, and surround them with guards, seems to have scarcely any influence over the minds of this extraordinary and more liberal people. Birman wives and daughters are not concealed from the sight of men, and are suffered to have as free intercourse with each other as the rules of European society admit. People in pecuniary embarrassment frequently sell their women to strangers, and it is said that they are are very seldom unfaithful to their foreign masters, indeed they are often essentially useful, particularly to those who trade, by keeping their accounts and transacting their business: but when a man departs from the country, he is not suffered to carry his temporary wife along with him; on that point the law is exceedingly rigorous. |