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BIRMAH. 69
written out on this board by the instructor : when
the scholar is perfect master of it, it is erased, and a
new one written.
The Birmans are extremely fond both of poetry and
of music. They call the former yeddoo. When repeated
by a scholar, it flows soft and measured to the ear j
it is sometimes in successive, and often in alternate
rhymes. A line is called tagioung, a stanza tubbouk.
They have epic as well as religious poems of high
celebrity, and they are fond of reciting in heroic verse
the exploits of their kings and generals.* Music is a
science held in high estimation. Although termed,
in India as in Greece, the language of the gods, it is
cultivated more generally in Birmah. The royal
library of Amarapura is said to contain several treatises
on the art. Some of the musicians display considerable
skill and execution, and the softer airs are said to be
instruments is a
very pleasing. -f- Among the principal
* " It has been said, that his present majesty has a person of
poetic talents, on whom he bestows his royal patronage, and who,
in return, delights the '
precious ear '
with the measured lines of
his own composition Prose works are commonly read, as well
as poetry, and are some of them works of fiction, and others religious.
Of the latter kind, the Dzat and Woottoo, or those books
which illustrate the influence of merit and demerit, are most exten-
sively read. Historical works are scarce, and therefore but little
read. Few individuals have the means or the opportunity of collecting
private libraries." HOUGH on the Manners of the Burmese.
Friend of India, No. xii. p. 12.
t " In the music of the Burmese," the Rev. Mr. Hough says,
" there is far more noise than harmony. They make use of
wind and stringed instruments, brass plates of different tones,
and drums of various sizes. For the sake of noise, they will accompany
the instrumental music by striking together two pieces of
split bamboo on the palms of their hands. They are evidently unacquainted
with the nature of tones and harmony, all their airs
being wild, irregular, and discordant." Friend of India, No. xii.
p. 11. In founding these brass musical plates, they must be allowed
to shew considerable art. Their tones are exceedingly fine, sur-