DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0416
IN THE BURMIIAN EMPIRE. 403
of it for going to the pagoda, and always pray
for me. She added, that she was quite ashamed
to receive so many things from me and not do
any thing in return; but .that her son had desired
her not to take any memorials or letters from me;
she, therefore, could do no more in that business.
October 17. Early in the morning, the queen-
mother's whoon waited on me. It seems the good
old lady's conscience would not suffer her to keep
my presents without making some return; and,
having consulted this gentleman, her counsellor
and fac-totum, it had at length been agreed be-
tween them, that he should bring me sixty ticals
this morning, to bear my expenses down the
river; and he had accordingly now come to give
me the money. As I found myself rather dis-
posed to commend her good intention than to
ridicule the simplicity of it, I made suitable
acknowledgments for her remembrance of me,
but requested that the money might be exchanged
for a ring; and, in order to maintain the favourable
opinion which the old lady seemed to entertain
of me, as under my circumstances it was uncertain
how soon I might want a friend of her power, and
also that I might retort through her some of the
mischiefs my enemies had heaped on me, I there-
fore sent her a handsome glass vase; and gave
her whoon a diamond ring; desiring him to tell
his mistress, from me, that I considered myself
IDl
of it for going to the pagoda, and always pray
for me. She added, that she was quite ashamed
to receive so many things from me and not do
any thing in return; but .that her son had desired
her not to take any memorials or letters from me;
she, therefore, could do no more in that business.
October 17. Early in the morning, the queen-
mother's whoon waited on me. It seems the good
old lady's conscience would not suffer her to keep
my presents without making some return; and,
having consulted this gentleman, her counsellor
and fac-totum, it had at length been agreed be-
tween them, that he should bring me sixty ticals
this morning, to bear my expenses down the
river; and he had accordingly now come to give
me the money. As I found myself rather dis-
posed to commend her good intention than to
ridicule the simplicity of it, I made suitable
acknowledgments for her remembrance of me,
but requested that the money might be exchanged
for a ring; and, in order to maintain the favourable
opinion which the old lady seemed to entertain
of me, as under my circumstances it was uncertain
how soon I might want a friend of her power, and
also that I might retort through her some of the
mischiefs my enemies had heaped on me, I there-
fore sent her a handsome glass vase; and gave
her whoon a diamond ring; desiring him to tell
his mistress, from me, that I considered myself
IDl