Untitled - Sabrizain.org

164 BIRMAH.
fountain, whence the water is conducted into several
gardens by pipes. The gardens are fenced with strong
walls; one of them is three miles long: the river
Caypumo runs through one end of the garden, westward.
There are many other gardens and palaces
nearer hand, built of marble and porphyry, and a lake
a mile in circuit. One of these palaces is allotted to
the queen and her court, which joins to a park stored
with exquisite and rare animals. In the lake belonging
to the king's palace are seen all sorts of water-
fowl ; and near this palace there is another park stored
with tame beasts and birds. There is also a park for
lions, tigers, and other fierce beasts; and it is a sad
sight to see criminals daily devoured by them.
" The kingdom of Pegu is rich in mines of gold
and silver, rubies, sapphires, garnets, and other precious
stones : these daily augment the king's treasures.
In one court of his palace at New Pegu, there is such
store, that it is little esteemed ; not one man to guard
it, nor the doors kept shut. There stands a figure or
statue of an exceedingly tall man, all of beaten gold,
with a crown of the same, enriched with rubies, upon
his head ; and round it four other statues of youths,
all of gold, which seem to be idols. In another court,
is represented a giant sitting, of silver, with a crown
of the same, but far richer, set with jewels. In other
courts, stand statues made of gauze, a mixture of many
metals : the crowns of these latter are richer than the
others, with rubies and sapphires.
" The Peguans go all clothed alike, in cottons,
linens, and silks, the best; and all are barefoot ever,
whether walking or riding. Their building-s are
costly, carved and wrought, sparing neither gold nor
azure. When the king or any nobleman builds a
palace, he provides himself with the purest gold to