DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0065
IN THE BURMHAN EMPIRE.
55
honour thus conferred on him, he says, made him
the envy of the whole court. The viceroy of
Pegu took him to his own house, and questioned
him respecting me, and the whoongees ordered
him to come to them next day. They asked him
why he went to court so shabbily dressed, he
said, he was a poor man, and had no better clothes:
They told him he should have better clothes given
him next time. The chekoy and mewjerry of Ran-
goon happened to be in my tent when he began his
relation: they both seemed to feel the pangs of
envy, but promised him a silk dress for bringing such
good news. When the mewjerry went out of my
tent, my interpreter heard him say to the chekoy, I
have served his majesty nine years, and have never
yet seen his face, and here this poor cooly has
been honoured with a familiar conversation.
I have been thus particular in detailing this
conversation, as I had no reason to doubt of its
authenticity, and as it will tend more to the elu-
cidation of the character of the sovereign and his
people, than volumes of well-dressed declamation.
This passed on the 25th, and while the man was
with the viceroy, the king sent orders that I
should be immediately forwarded to Mheghoon,
and lodged near the viceroy's palace; I am, there-
fore, indebted to the viceroy for my detention at
this place. At night Mr. Moncourtuse, the inter-
preter, arrived. I propose sending my assistant
55
honour thus conferred on him, he says, made him
the envy of the whole court. The viceroy of
Pegu took him to his own house, and questioned
him respecting me, and the whoongees ordered
him to come to them next day. They asked him
why he went to court so shabbily dressed, he
said, he was a poor man, and had no better clothes:
They told him he should have better clothes given
him next time. The chekoy and mewjerry of Ran-
goon happened to be in my tent when he began his
relation: they both seemed to feel the pangs of
envy, but promised him a silk dress for bringing such
good news. When the mewjerry went out of my
tent, my interpreter heard him say to the chekoy, I
have served his majesty nine years, and have never
yet seen his face, and here this poor cooly has
been honoured with a familiar conversation.
I have been thus particular in detailing this
conversation, as I had no reason to doubt of its
authenticity, and as it will tend more to the elu-
cidation of the character of the sovereign and his
people, than volumes of well-dressed declamation.
This passed on the 25th, and while the man was
with the viceroy, the king sent orders that I
should be immediately forwarded to Mheghoon,
and lodged near the viceroy's palace; I am, there-
fore, indebted to the viceroy for my detention at
this place. At night Mr. Moncourtuse, the inter-
preter, arrived. I propose sending my assistant