Pagodas and Pad

dear Burmah

inal impressions, such as its history, its public buildings, the scenery, the life and condition of the natives, its resources, and i

or in the heart of the desert, wherever that may be; not even a stuffy heat, such as one encounters in church, but a

l wooden, as I was of a destructive nature) to sit before the fire one co

and for the first two or three hours, remembering the effect the heat had upon her appearance, I found myself frequently feeling my features to discover whether th

I invariably bumped my head against it on rising. But after enduring one long Punkahless half-hour, I came to lo

hat might be described as firmer, and it was at these times that

tawdry decorations and wonderful wood carvings everywhere visible, and the exquisite blending and intermingling of colours in the bright dresses of the natives, who crowd daily to offer their gifts at this most holy shrine. It is

steps leading to the Pagoda is worn by the tread of many

ing position before a shrine, with the tiny brown hands raised in a supplicating attitude, and then retired a few steps to watch. Instantly the baby overbalanced and toppled forward on its face. He was picked u

heir work is to pile timber ready for embarkation on the river, but evidently they c

there, and then marching to the end of the pile and contemplating the result with their heads on one side, to see if all are straight and firm. And they do all in such a stately, roya

awe-inspiring importance about every stick and stone, that none save those initiated into the secrets of the place, may enter without feel

T MOVIN

air of mysticism and unknown possibilities, but when I retired to my large dimly lighted bed-room after my firs

lism of the East, of the mystic powers of "Thugs," "Vam

k into an uneasy doze I was haunted by nightmares of ghostl

m my uneasy slumber. And then, as I lay trembling and listening, out of darkness cam

mystic world? Had the spirit, if spirit it were, some great trut

voice again, this ti

e meaning for this mysterious word, but

oo, tuctoo,"

voice, an angry English voice, loud in its

pleasant acquaintance. He is a lizard about a foot long, with a large red mouth, and a long wriggling tail; he reminded me of a baby alligator. He dwells on the inner walls of houses, and his presence in a house is supposed to bring good luck, but his tiresome

ment of life in Rangoon, in fact

le may not intend to go there when they set out, but no matter how far afield they go, sooner or later in the evening they a

a large, open, much verandaed, wooden building. Of the lower story, sacred to the male sex, I caught only a hurried glim

men and women, to all other appearances perfectly sane, waltzing round and round to the inspiriting music of the military band; dancing, in ordinary a

ng, was so unspeakably awful that to sit still seemed quite cool in contrast, and it

read their favourite magazines, or to glower from afar

hat I would for the world deny the existence of scandal, but what I wish to emphasise is, that the Anglo-Indians (at least those of the female sex) do not invent or

wly arrived number of the "Gentlewoman," and seating herself comfortabl

number of the "Gentlewoman"; and, being human, Mrs. B., on finding her favourite paper already appropriated, is filled with a distaste for all other papers, an

ain does Mrs. B. spread "Punch," "Graphic," or "Sketch," temptingly before Mrs. A's abstracted eyes, s

wo ladies then draw near Mrs. A. (who tightens her hold on the paper

ntentions, pretends to be deeply interested in last week's "Gazette," hoping thereby to de

l clings to her prey, Mrs. B., throwing a warning glance at Mr

d to hear of so and so'

s not particul

t strange story about so and so'

. A. had not

yone else, but Mrs. A., as every one knows,

nvention concerning so and so. Gradually, as she becomes more interested in the recital, Mrs. A's.

owly towards her, until it is out of reach of Mrs. A., when she snatches it up eager

do but to imitate Mrs. B's conduct, and attract Mrs. D's attention from the paper she is reading, by repeating to her the story she

erely the outcome of circumstances, inventions being notoriously the children of necessity. It is obvious that were each lady in Bu

cribed as "a wooden packing case on wheels." I suppose it is a distant and unfashionable relation of the modern four wheeler, with wooden shutters in place of windows; very narrow

ual. His mind and character have gained him his well earned right to be counted among the eccentricities of the age. He is sublime in his

istic is utter indifference

he never seems to consider that his "fare" may desire to go to any particular destination. 'Tis vain to explain at great length, and with many forcible gestures, where one wishes to go; "he hears but heeds it not." The instant one ent

rive to; many have had the curiosity but none the for

opped, he would drive straight

hat only in the case of a very young driver. I have sometimes wondered whether perchance the po

penance, drive in a "ticca gharry," but if you desire t

nt at the Gymkhana, the ladies of Rangoon dev

ould be sitting peacefully talking with my hostess in the morning, when suddenly, a look of supreme unres

a few words, gives the paper to a servant, and then ret

ety again returns; again she writes a "chit," and again be

me malady engendered by the climate, only to be relieved by the incessant inditing of "chits." I myself nev

at intervals of ten minutes or so during the day, that is sufficient. What finally becomes of these "chits" I cannot pretend to

his, does he too spend his life in writing "chits"? Does the "Bombay Burman," in some far off jungle, "alone with nature undisturbed," does he too sit down 'neath

further upon the matter. The mystery

in search of adventure, such as is scarcely to be met with in the garden party, dinner party, and dance life of Rangoon. And so, on