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BIRMAH. 153
or Peeaye-mew, is pleasingly diversified with hill and
valley, with spots of cleared ground and hanging
woods. The range of high mountains recedes in a
westerly direction, but smaller hills still skirt the
river. Several populous towns occur : the principal is
Podung-mew, on the right bank; and Schwaye-domew,
on the left or eastern bank of the river. The
city of Prome, also situated on the east side of the
Irrawaddy, in lat. 18 50' N., and long. 95 E., forms
an important point of the line of towns, being, in fact,
the most northern fortress of Pegu. Many ages ago,
it was the residence of a dynasty of Talien kings:
it now forms a vice-royalty, usually conferred on a
member of the reigning family. Prome is sometimes
called TerreJcetteree, or single-skin; and they have a
legendary tale respecting the origin of this name,
which recalls, on the banks of the
fabled origin of Carthage and of Troy.
Irrawaddy, the
"
It is related,
that a favourite female slave of Tutebong-mangee,
or the mighty sovereign with three eyes, importuned
her sovereign for a gift of some ground, and being
asked of what extent, replied in similar terms with
the crafty queen when she projected the site of
Carthage. Her request was granted, and she used the
same artifice."*
The city is situated on the south side of a pleasant
valley, on an elevated point projecting into the river.
"At present," says Captain Cox, who visited it in
December, when the water was low, " it is about
forty feet above the level of the river, which rises
during the rains about twenty or twenty-five feet.
Its area, north and south, is about one mile and a half,
and its breadth about three-fourths of a mile. It was
* Symes, vol. ii. p. 182.
K5