Untitled - Sabrizain.org

210 BIRMAH.
parapet, which has embrasures for cannon, and apertures
for musketry. Small bastions project at regular
distances, and the gates are massive, and guarded by
cannon. Considered as an Eastern fortification, it is
highly respectable, but would be insufficient to resist
modern tactics. From the height and solidity of the
wall, the Birmans deem it impregnable, although a
battery of half a dozen well-served cannon would effect
a breach in a few hours.
The southern face of the fort is washed, during the
rainy season, by the waters of the lake. The houses of
the city and suburbs extend along the bank as far as.
the extreme point of land. The houses have in general
but a mean appearance from the river : they are raised
on piles, with pitched roofs. Few are built of brick
and mortar, except those belonging to members of the
royal family. Many are of wood, with tiled roofs:
others are composed of mats and bamboos, covered in
with shingles or thatch. The houses of the chief persons
are surrounded with a wooden enclosure. On the
ridge of the roofs are ranged earthen pots filled with
water, which every citizen is compelled to provide in
readiness against any conflagration. The religious
buildings have a very splendid appearance, owing to
the unbounded expenditure of gilding on the outside
of the roofs, which must cost immense sums. The
gold leaf used is exceedingly pure, and bears exposure
to the air for a long time without injury. The size or
glue used to make it adhere, called seesee, is prepared
from the juice of the croton subiferum.
On the further side of the lake, and opposite to
the fort, stands the village of Tounzemahn, near
which, in a tall grove of mango, palmyra, and
cocoa-nut trees, a dwelling was prepared for the
British embassy; and here all missions to the court