totally lost the power of moving them at all. He was one of the gymnosophists, who wear no kind of covering, and seemed more like a wild beast than a man. His arms, from having been so long in one posture, were become withered and dried up; while his outstretched fingers, with long nails of 20 years growth, gave them the appearance of extraordinary horns; his hair, full of dust, and never combed, hung over him in a savage manner; and, except in his erect posture, there appeared nothing human about him. This man was travelling throughout Hindoostan, and, being unable to help himself with food, women of distinction, among the Hindoos, contended for the honour of feeding this holy person wherever he appeared." FARTHER INDIA, OR INDIA BEYOND THE Includes the Birman empire, Malacca, Siam, Assam, Laos, Cambodia, Chiampa, Cochin-China, and Tonquino. BURMAH OR THE BIRMAN EMPIRE. This extensive empire includes the ancient kingdoms of Ava, Pegu, Arracan, and Meckley. The Birmans resemble the Chinese rather than the Hindoos. They are lively and intelligent, fond of poetry and music, but irascible and impatient. Education and literature have made considerable progress among them. They inflict the most savage vengeance on their enemies; but among themselves show much gentleness and humanity. They pluck out their beards, instead of shaving them, and also tattoo their arms and legs. The women, instead of being confined as is common in the east, perform the most laborious offices, and are treated with little delicacy, daughters being sold by their parents to any person who will purchase them. Men of rank, in common dress, wear a tight coat with long sleeves, made of muslin or very fine nankeen, and a silk wrapper that encircles the waist. The working class are usually naked to the middle. The lowest class of females often wear only a single garment in the form of a sheet, wrapped round the body. In their food, the Birmans, compared with the Hindoos, are gross and uncleanly. Though their religion prohibits the slaughter of animals in general, yet they apply the prohibition only to those that are domesticated. All game is eagerly sought after; reptiles also, as lizards and snakes, form a part of the food of the lower classes: but rice, vegetables, and fish, are the principal articles of diet. The private houses are constructed of bamboos, other kinds of wood, and thatch. The Birmans burn their dead, unless the person deceased is a pauper. Their funerals are solemnized with great parade, and various external demonstrations of grief. Mourning women are hired, as in other eastern countries, who precede the corpse in the procession, and chaunt a dirge-like air. The religion of the Birman empire is that of Buddhu or Boodh, which is also the religion of Ceylon, and of all the countries between Bengal and China. The country abounds with temples and monasteries; around the temples are placed many images of Boodh, called by the Birmans Gaudama. This religion enjoins particularly the observance of five commandments, and the abstaining from ten sins. The five commandments forbid, 1st, taking the life of any living creature, to the meanest insect; 2dly, stealing; 3dly, adultery; 4thly, lying; and fifthly, drinking wine or any spirituous liquor. MALAYS. The Malays inhabit the peninsula of Malacca, and are also found in many of the Asiatic islands, particularly on the coasts. They have a dark brown complexion; thick, soft, black hair; full and broad nose; and very large mouth. They are much addicted to sea-faring and piratical habits; and in the pursuit of plunder are brave, ferocious, and vindictive; and are the terror of Asia. They form a striking contrast to the tame and peaceable natives of Hindoostan. They carry the point of honour to the most romantic excess; every thing which they can construe into an insult drives them to a fury bordering on desperation. A continuance of such treatment impels them at last to those deeds of frenzied atrocity, which are known by the name of running amok. The Malay, who has resolved upon this step, begins by taking a large dose of his favourite opium, till he is half intoxicated: he then throws loose his long black hair, draws his deadly weapon, and rushes into the streets, and cries "kill, kill;" and in fact kills every one that encounters him in his furious career. Notwithstanding the rudeness and violence of their character, they are said to be mild and courteous in their domestic deportment, and have higher sentiments of honour, and greater fidelity to their word, than the Hindoos. Their language is distinguished, above all others in the east, for its smoothness and softness. SIAMESE. The inhabitants of Siam are represented as mild, courteous, and humane, but indolent, timid, artful, and avaricious. They are temperate in eating and drinking, but much addicted to smoking and gaming. Polygamy is permitted, but practised only among the higher classes; and even among them the first wife is considered as mistress of the house, while all the rest are treated as little better than slaves. In general, the lot of the female is severe in this country; the heaviest part of the labour devolves upon her; she is not allowed to eat with her husband, nor even to sail in the same boat; she attends no public amusements, but spends her time almost entirely at home. The religion of the Siamese is the doctrine of Boodh. Their priests, styled Talapoins, are an order of monks, professing celibacy, and residing in convents. They are very laborious in the exercise of their functions, and will harangue the people from six in the morning till the hour of dinner, and will begin afresh in the afternoon. The temples or pagodas of Siam are distinguished for their magnificence, and for the gigantic statues which they con tain. The people are extremely superstitious; this disposition they display on occasion of eclipses, with regard to which they entertain the belief, common throughout the east, that a great dragon is then attempting to devour the eclipsed luminary. They seek, therefore, to frighten him away, by calling out the troops, and making the most tremendous noise. |