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EIRMAH. 135
pleasing countenance and harmonious speech. He
was once a priest, but is now a layman. The people,
as they came in, seated themselves on the mats ; the
men on one side of the house, and the women on the
other. The congregation was small, not exceeding a
hundred persons. The people being convened, one
appointed for the purpose called three times for silence
and attention. Each person then took the leaves and
flowers which had been previously distributed, and
placing them between his fingers, (as rosaries,) raised
them to his head, and in that respectful posture
remained motionless until the service was closed.
When all things were properly adjusted, the preacher
closed his eyes, and commenced repeating a portion
from the Birman sacred writings. His subject was
the conversion of the two prime disciples of Guadama,
and their subsequent promotion and glory. His
oratory I found to be entirely different from all that
we call oratory. At first, he seemed dull and monotonous
; but presently his soft mellifluous tones won
their way into the heart, and lulled the soul into that
state of calmness and serenity, which, to a Birman
mind, somewhat resembles the boasted perfection of
their saints of old. His discourse continued about
half an hour ; and at the close, the whole assembly
burst out into a short prayer, after which, all rose
and retired. This man exhibits twice every evening
in different places."
As far as regards acuteness, the Birman teachers
would seem to be no mean proficients in the art of reasoning,
and fit to rank as scholars even of the Athenian
sophists. Moi- ng-hong, " a disciple of the great Toungdwen
teacher, the acknowledged head of the semi-
atheists," is described as a complete sceptic, scarcely
believing his own existence, and always quarrelling on