Burmah.*

material prosperity and comfort Avhich he observed in the people of British Burmah . There is an air of plenty wherever you go ; and the poorest class are clean , welldressed , and healthy looking . On the other hand , very rich men are rare , and if any

individual does amass a fortune he spends all on a pagoda , so that his children are none the better for it . The Burmese seem to be great fowl fanciers , and Mr . Gordon gives us a picture of the poultry yard of his host at Rangoonwhich reads like the

Avell-, known one of Martial . Pure Burmese game foAvls , pure bred jungle foAvl , bantams , and other valuable breeds are kept under baskets . Numerous varieties of pigeons are perched all round , or strut about among the children with perfect confidence . In one

corner a cow is being milked for the benefit exclusively of the visitors , as the Burmese never touch milk ; and in another are some lean sheep , these animals not thriving well in the country , though , on the other hand , the beef is excellent . Good beer , toois to

, he had at Rangoon , It is made without malt , but with hops , sugar , yeast , and isinglass . There is sufficient sale for it to support a good breAvery ; but no Burmese man or woman is ever seen drunk in the

streets—a fact Avhich supplies Mr . Gordon with an opportunity for a little moralising , of which he is particularly fond , though , as it belongs to the trite order , Ave could very well dispense with some of it . Mr . Gordon tells us little of the feres natures of the country through Avhich he passed . He has

heard that in some of the paddy fields thirty couple of snipe may be killed in a day , but says generally that the shooting in Burmah is far inferior to what can be obtained in India . Of the social peculiarities of the people

Mr . Gordon has preserved several curious illustrations . In regard to money , they always prefer such coins as have a female head on them , being under the impression that male coins are unproductive and do not make money , though there is

something so exquisitely absurd in this idea that one can hardly stifle a suspicion that Mr . Gordon is either hoaxing his readers or has himself been hoaxed by his informants . The marriage tie sits very loosel y on the Burmese , and it is therefore uot so much to their credit that other conlections are condemned . When a husband and wife wish to separate , they light two

candles , " with the understanding that he or she whose lig ht goes out first has the privilege of quitting the house Avith whatever property originally belonged to him or her . " Mr . Gordon has an interesting note on the medical profession in Burmah . Surgeons ancl surgical operations are

unknown there ; but physicians are divided into three orders—those Avho use mineral or vegetable medicines ; those who attribute all disease to some derangement of the elements Avhich constitute health , and trust chieflto the effect of diet ; and , thirdly ,

y the " witch doctors , " who proceed by spells and incantations . Fees range from eight annas to five rupees a visit , or sometimes the patient adopts the principle of payment for results , when a successful cure often brings a large reAvard . Whether the

Burmese enjoy the blessings of a Bar or not we are not informed . But they live under laws Avhich , it is said , they reverence very highly , though the procedure of their Courts is peculiar . Suitors are expected to acquiesce in the judgment given , and in token thereof to eat "pickled tea , " which one would naturally suppose must be Burmese for humble pie , but Mr .

Gordon seems to take it quite literally . If , hoAvever , the defeated litigant declines this edible ancl elects to take his case elseAvhere , various alternatives are before him . He may proceed by ordeal , in Avhich case he may either employ the candle test , as in divorce , although in this case the principle Avould

seem to be reversed , he whose candle burns out first being adjudged the loser ; or he may try the ordeal of immersion , when the suitor who remains longest under water is declared , as in the Avitch ordeal Avith us formerlto have justice on his side . A third

y , one , in Avhich molten lead is the agent for the discovery of truth , is too complex to be described here . If ordeal is rejected , the parties may go at once before the King , in Avhose presence it is supposed that no man is able to say what is false . His Majesty

accordingly , Avho is the first laAvyer in his kingdom , extracts the truth by cross-examination , ancl his decision , we presume , is final . Mr . Gordon Avrites , as Ave have said , Avith a good deal of spirit , and is not

without some sense of humour , He is never tedious , and if we only take up his book in the right frame of mind , we may derive much amusement from it .