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85 BIRMAH.
grandfather about June 1819, has since built a new
palace at Ava, a few miles below the former capital, of
which he took possession about March 1824. The
pagodas are solid masses of masonry, varying in
height, of a conical form, covered with plaster, com-
posed of sand and lime, and many of them with gold
leaf. The large pagoda situated about a mile and a half
to the N.W. of Rangoon, and called Shwa-dagon Porah,
is a splendid and magnificent monument of heathen
superstition and idolatry. According to its history,
the foundation was laid soon after the supposed anni-
hilation of Gautama. If this be true,
it must have
existed for a period of about 2,300 years. Since its
erection, its size has been increased by successive
additions.
" From the above description of their dwellinghouses,
the transition is easy to a correct inference
relative to the furniture which they contain. A few
mats answer the purpose of beds, couches, chairs, and
tables; and two or three wooden plates of Birman
manufacture, or of coarse earthen-ware imported,
form the breakfast and dinner service. A small box
or two, or as many baskets, contain the wardrobe of
the family. Those, however, who have the means,
indulge themselves in the use of a bedstead. Although,
in their houses and persons, the appearance of clean-
liness is not very striking, yet, in this respect, they
are on a par with their western neighbours. But this
is not saying much in their favour. They certainly
do not exhibit, particularly in their houses, any special
regard to neatness ; nor, on the other hand, can they
be considered as inattentive to personal appearance.
Both sexes enjoy the comfort of frequent bathing.
They are much addicted to the practice of chewing
betel; and in the disposition of the saliva, they are