general appearance of the soil, &c., indicates the presence of minerals; but I met with nothing but iron ore; copper, silver, lead, iron, and precious stones have been obtained from various parts of the ridge; and I have particular accounts of various mines that have been opened and worked, in former reigns, with great success. I saw the entrance of two caves of considerable size, excavated by art; but was prevented by the darkness from exploring them; and my situation with the government not admitting more than a cursory view, I had not come prepared, as I otherwise should have done; both of them appeared to me as large as the famous Cave of Elephanta, which I have also been in; but I had no opportunity of examining how much of these was excavated from the body of the solid rock, their fronts being formed of masonry. These hills are rugged, overrun with the hardy brier, or wild Indian plum, and varieties of the euphorbium; I also found here an opuntia, exactly the same as the American one sent to India from his Majesty's garden at Kew, of which I brought away specimens. At this time also, all the hollows and gentle slopes were covered with short sweet grass; we started two hares, and saw the track of deer. About eight A. M. we returned, having had a very pleasant walk. Inland about six miles from where we lay, is a famous ancient pagoda, of which I have the Burmhan history, and meant to visit it, but was prevented by the distance; thinking it imprudent, in my present circumstances, to venture so far while in the vicinity of the capital. It differs in form from the general style of building amongst them, being finished with a dome; and although it stands in a hollow, I have seen it at twelve or fifteen miles' distance; but those who have been at it say, it is twice the circumference of Daghoon pagoda, and like it, solid. My motive for remaining here was to obtain some information which I expected from Amarapoorah, and to get stock, and complete my boats' crews; for, notwithstanding all my advances, they were still incomplete. These fellows have a great inclination to be insolent whenever they dare: they have beaten several of my servants, and when spoke to, threaten to leave the boats. It will require, therefore, all my patience and management, to get safe and smoothly down the river, for I am entirely at their mercy.. In the evening, the mewjerry of Rangoon, my former attendant, made his appearance. My people learnt from him, that he was waiting Baba Shein and a chekoy, who are still at Amarapoorah.

Oct. 19. About seven A. M. we passed Old Ava. The ruins of the walls are within fifty yards of the river, and the bank, bold up to it, seems to have been more extensive than the fort of the present capital, which is about 12 or 1300 feet square, and better situated for defence or commerce. The rocks we passed coming up the river are now covered. At eleven A. M. we passed Keouptolong chokey, without trouble or notice. About five P.M. crossed over to the western shore, intending to go through the Nabaiek channel. At sun-set, made fast to the western bank. Near the river, the land is under culture, but in a slovenly style. On the eastern side of the river from Amarapoorah, to within

about

about six miles to the N. W. of Keouptolong, the plain extends to a considerable breadth from the river to the foot of the mountains, the ridge of which declines in height as it advances to the southward; but, five or six miles to the northward of Keouptolong, arid downs extend to the river. From Keouptolong these recede back to the mountains, leaving us, to the northward, a fine plain susceptible of high cultivation; and for the most part cultivated from Chegain to Nabaiek. Also on the west side the country is level near the river, and in part cultivated; but backed by high ground covered with wood or jungle. The river on the right of Ava, and to the southward of it, is about one mile and a half broad. Current about three miles or a little more. Near Keouptolong it is about three quarters of a mile broad; towards Nebaiek it spreads very much with islands mid-channel. We passed several merchants' boats bound up under sail.

Oct. 20. Proceeded at day-light; at half-past seven A. M. made fast to the western bank, near the entrance of the Nabaiek channel. Finding there was not water enough for us to go through, I sent off my interpreter in a small boat, to wait on the padre Don Louis, from whom I expected some books and intelligence. At half-past ten, crossed over to Namaguey, a village on the eastern bank, to wait for my interpreter. At half-past three P. M. he returned. From him I learn, that Nebaiek is but a wretched hamlet of about thirty or forty houses, inhabited by Burmhan Christians. There are, however, two or three churches and some other hamlets dependent on it, situated in the jungles to the westward. The padre's house is gilt like the Keouns of the Burmhan poonghees; and, like them, he depends for his daily food on the donations of his flock; never cooking in his own house. I am told also, that he is obliged to wink hard at many of their Pagan superstitions. He had nothing to offer my man but a cup of tea, and disappointed me of my expectations from him. At four P.M. we dropped down through the eastern channel, which is narrowed by the islands, to a breadth of 3 or 400 yards, until sun-set: both banks are under culture. At sun-set, made fast to the eastern bank, we had passed several merchant-boats bound upwards, and Mr. Baba Shein passed us downwards, without taking the smallest notice. A little below Namaiguey, the river spreads nearly three miles to the westward; but shoal on that side, with sand-banks, and islands mid-channel.

Oct. 21. Proceeded at day-light, and at half-past seven A.M. entered the main river. Several war-boats passed us downwards during the day, and merchant-boats bound upwards. At sun-set made fast to a sand-bank projecting from the western shore. At night, set a watch with double sentinels, and loaded arms; as the conduct of the Burmhan government towards me warrants a suspicion of foul play being intended me on my passage down. From the conflux of the Keoundowien with the Era-wuddy, the western bank is a well-cultivated plain, backed by a range of mountains, seven or eight miles inland. The eastern bank for about ten or twelve miles is also tolerably well inhabited; but the flat

E 4

flat not more than two or three miles broad, backed by uncultivated woody downs, which to the southward of that limit form the margin of the river, terminating in precipitate bluffs, with little variation, all the way to Pagaam.

Oct. 22. We proceeded at half-past five A. M., and at eight passed the new city of Gucayne; a number of merchant-boats were lying there. At ten A. M. we stopped at the ancient city of Pegaam, or Pokghong, and went on shore to view the ruins of this ancient city. I climbed to the top of an old pagoda, by several flights of narrow ruinous stairs. The two lower stories have a flight in each angle, arched over and steep. The first about a yard broad, and in height from the steps to the top of the arch about five feet, ending in a small turret placed over the angle, and from the door of which only they receive light. The height of the whole of the first flight and story is about forty feet. The height of the second, nearly the same; but the arch lower, and passages narrower; the rest of the steps are on the outside, leading to the top of three other stories, from whence the dome rises. The first two stories are surrounded by a Gothic arched gallery, along which are arranged various images of their deities. The building itself is quadrangular, each face fronting the four cardinal points of the compass; with a projecting portico, and corresponding niches within, wherein is placed on a throne or altar a colossal gilt figure of Godoma. The principal figure seems uniformly to be placed to the east, where there is the greatest projection for the shelter of those who come to pay their devotions.

From the top of this pagoda, I commanded a full view of the remains of the city, and adjacent country, which, as far as the eye can reach on the eastern side of the river, is rugged downs; steril, uncultivated, and covered with scrubby bushes, &c. To the southeast, about three miles inland, a rugged ridge of hills rise abruptly from the common level of the country, and extend about five or six miles north and south. The ruins of the pagodas extend about four or five miles along the banks of the river, and inland, about one mile and a half.

I counted to the south of me fifty; and to the northward there might be seventy more, distinguishable, of various forms and sizes; but numberless others have sunk into indistinguishable masses of rubbish, overgrown with weeds; and the plain is every where covered with fragments of their materials. Immediately above the bank, where my boat lay, is a part of the wall of the western curtain of the fort; and about a quarter of a mile to the eastward, parallel to it, I passed through a breach in the eastern curtain, and think I saw the north-angle bastion about 700 yards from me. It is probable, therefore, that the fort was not larger than the present one at Amarapoorah; or they may have fixed dimensions for their imperial forts. The wall is composed of small bricks and mud, about fourteen cubits thick; and has the remains of a dry fosse without. I sketched the figure of one of the most perfect, and the largest I saw. My view is of the west front, which measures at the base about 183 feet; and as nearly as I can judge by my eye, is about 200 feet in height. Its interior is

similar

similar to one I have described, but in better preservation. It is built of bricks of two dimensions. The largest, which are used in the body of the building, are seventeen inches long, eight and a half broad, and three and a half thick. The least are fourteen and a half long, seven and five-eighths broad, and one and a half thick. They are well burnt, and joined together with great skill and nicety. Their surface and edges being ground, perfectly correspond, and lie so close, as that not the least cement can be seen between them: if any was used, it must have been a very fine gluten. As far as relates to the exterior surface of the body of the building, the masonry is the best I have ever seen, but I doubt much whether this holds good throughout; perhaps it is only observed in the cannon-revetments. The whole building has been plastered over in the usual manner; and it is where this plaster has scaled off, that the workmanship is to be observed.'

A curious part of the narrative is an unsuccessful attempt of the Envoy to make a balloon for the amusement of the court of Amarapoorah; and a melancholy one is the interval of sickness and confinement, which so frequently interrupts the progress of the author's diplomatic cares. On the whole, he seems to have displayed patience, munificence, and that steady assertion of rank which when disapproved is called arrogance, and when approved is called dignity. His observations are various, and founded both on mathematical and mineralogical science. Something more, we think, might have been collected concerning the state of language, literature, and religion: but the volume will much contribute to correct the over-statements of Major Symes, and to bring within limits more credible the attainments and civilization of the original people of whom it treats. Merchants of enterprize may derive important hints from several facts adduced; and the Oriental glossarist may compile authorities for many words that are new and strange to our motley language,

Coloured engravings illustrate the work.

ART. VI. Speech of the Right Honourable W. C. Plunkett, in the House of Commons, on Wednesday, 28th Feb. 1821, on moving for a Committee on the Catholic Question. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Murray. ART. VII. Observations upon the present State of Ireland, addressed to His Excellency the Marquis of Wellesley, K. G. &c. by the Earl of Blesinton. 8vo. 5s. Longman and Co. 1822. ART. VIII. A Short Address to William Lord Primate of all Ireland, on the Subject of Tythes, &c. &c. by the Rev. Šir H. B. Dudley, Bart. &c. &c. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Cadell. 1822.

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N the momentous subject of the present state of Ireland, the press has lately sent forth a great variety of publications; among which are a very large and bulky pamphlet

by

by Lord Blesinton, and a short one by the reverend baronet whose name also stands at the head of this article. Although, perhaps, none of these productions are susceptible of that species of criticism which we are most accustomed to exercise, we cannot remain altogether silent on the topic to which they relate. Amid the great and general interest which it excites, we have not failed to form some conclusions on it; and we think that we owe to our readers not only a fair and liberal expression of our sentiments, but that they have a right to expect that we should put them in possession, as far as we are able, of the facts and truth of the case. We are not of opinion, however, that we should be able to convey to them any considerable information by garbled extracts from any of the pamphlets which have been published, or by speaking as to their individual merits: it is not eligible to treat the subject in that way; nor have we been able to meet with any single book on which we could, with much advantage, form an article that would convey our remarks. Yet, if we do not deceive ourselves, the state of Ireland has not been yet so fully developed as to preclude us from the hope of being able to make it better known.

With regard to Mr. Plunkett's speech, his eloquence and his sentiments are well known. It remains now to be seen what will be his official course. Lord Blesinton's and Sir H. Dudley's pamphlets are both written in a proper spirit; and, however we may differ from either, their works appear at least to be well meant, and have their value to those who look, as we have done, for information. We have thought on the question very anxiously; we have directed ourselves to all accessible sources of information in "the Green Island" itself as well as here; we have read and inquired; and we have endeavoured to exercise on the matter a cool judgment. Discussion will, at all events, be useful, and the present occasion seems not only adapted to it, but to demand it for a change of measures can at no time, perhaps, be urged with so much hope of advantage, as while the evils generated by the existing state of things strikingly display themselves; and, dreadful and disgraceful as are the atrocities recently perpetrated, even they will not have been in vain, if they awaken the public mind to a right understanding of the condition of the country.

The disturbances in the south of Ireland seem to be immediately excited by the fall in the value of land, and of agricultural produce: but that fall has taken place generally throughout these countries, and does not elsewhere produce

the