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BIRMAH. 213
enjoyed even by the woongees themselves, of access
to the emperor at all times. Besides these grand of-
ficers of state, there are four chief secretaries, called
seredojees, who have numerous screes (writers) under
them; four nakhaanjees, who sit in the lotoo, and
take notes of the proceedings; four sandohffaan, who
regulate all ceremonials, introduce strangers of rank
into the golden presence, and bear messages from the
council to the emperor; nine sandozains, or readers,
attached to the lotoo ; an assaywoon, or paymastergeneral
; a daywoon, or king's armour-bearer ; a
chainjeewoon, or master of the elephants; together
with woons, or pages of the queen's household, and of
that of the prince royal. Each of the junior princes
has also his distinct establishment.
"In the Birman government, there are no hereditary
dignities or employments; all honours and
offices, on the demise of the possessor, reverting to the
crown.
" The tzaloe, or chain, is the badge of the order of
nobility, of which there are different degrees, distinguished
by the number of strings or small chains that
compose the ornament ; these strings are fastened by
bosses where they unite ; three of open chain work is
the lowest rank; three of neatly twisted wire is the
next ; then of six, of nine, and of twelve. No subject
is ever honoured with a higher degree than twelve :
the king alone wears twenty-four.
" It has already been noticed, that almost every
article of use, as well as ornament, particularly in
their dress, indicates the rank of the owner. The
shape of the betel-box, which is carried by an attendant
after a Birman of distinction wherever he goes,
his ear-rings, cap of ceremony, horse furniture, even