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208
BIRMAH.
top of the mountain, forms a beautiful assemblage of
objects, the effect of which is increased by their being
carefully whitewashed and kept in repair. Chagaing
is the principal emporium to which cotton is brought
from all parts, and where, after being cleaned, it is
embarked for the China market. Its scattered houses
extend for three or four miles along the banks. It is
very populous, and has a large share of trade. There
are remains of a fort built of brick, the walls about
sixteen feet high, but unimportant as to strength,
being commanded by the adjacent hills. The river,
when at its height, has the appearance of a vast lake
interspersed with islands, in which the foundations of
Amarapura seem to be immersed. Numberless boats
are seen passing up and down, and the houses on the
southern shore occur in such uninterrupted succession,
as to appear like a continued town or the suburbs of a
city.
AMARAPURA,
THE immortal city, stands on the banks of the
deep and extensive lake of Tounzemahn, which
communicates by a navigable channel with the Irra-
waddy. The situation is particularly fine for the
site of a metropolis: it was chosen by Minderajeepraw,
who founded the city in 1783. To be seen to
advantage, however, it
river is at its height.*
should be visited when the
When filled by the periodical
rains, the lake on the one side, and the river on the
other, form a dry peninsula, on which advantageous
* Mr. Judson, who visited Amarapura in January, landed at
O-ding-miou, the lower "
landing-place. At our present distance
of nearly four miles from the city," he
"
writes, (and we cannot
get nearer at this season,) it appears to the worst advantage. We
can hardly distinguish the golden steeple of the palace amid the
glittering pagodas, the summits of which just suffice to mark the
spot of our ultimate destination."