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BIRMAH.
celebrated professor of physic. In the mean time, all
the physicians of the country, to the number of
twenty, were assembled to consult and prescribe for
the sick infant. The disorder was an inflammatory
fever. Tea, made of wild thyme, and decoctions of
several vegetable productions, were the only medicines
administered. They did not, however, neglect to call
in the aid of supernatural remedies : incantations and
amulets were used, to the efficacy of which much was
attributed." While the recovery of the child continued
doubtful, Colonel Symes sent his Hindoo pundit
every morning to inquire after its health. The pundit
was introduced into the sick chamber, where he wit-
nessed the most amiable demonstrations of parental
tenderness. Both the father and the mother were
seen kneeling by the side of the infant's bed, and
they attended on him day and night. At length, the
twenty doctors pronounced their patient out of
danger, to the joy of his parents, and all their
attendants.
During their detention here, Colonel Symes made
several short excursions. The soil in the immediate
neighbourhood is light and sandy, with many loose
stones : it is very favourable for the cultivation of
cotton, several plantations of which were seen. Sesasum
also is sown here. The country is, for the most
part, undulating. There are several neat villages
within the distance of two or three miles. A deep
ravine, formed by the monsoon rains, extends inland
from the river, the banks of which are covered with
stunted trees, affording shelter to numerous tigers,
who abound in the adjacent forests. Partridges,
hares, quails, and wood-pigeons of a beautiful plumage,
may be met with in the open fields ; but the junglefowl
keep close in the thick covers, where it is dan-