Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE RATH, OR BURMESE IMPERIAL STATE CARRIAGE The following description of this superb vehicle, is extracted from the London Every Day Book.

[ocr errors]

The Times, in speaking of it, remarks, that The Burmese artists have produced a very formidable rival to that gorgeous piece of lumber, the lord mayor's coach. It is not indeed quite so heavy nor quite so glassy as that moving monument of metropolitan magnificence; but it is not inferiour to it in glitter and in gilding, and is far superiour in the splendour of the gems and rubies which adorn it. It differs from the metropolitan carriage in having no seats in the interior, and no place for either sword-bearer, chaplain, or any other inferior officer. The reason of this is, that whenever the "golden monarch" vouchsafes to show himself to his subjects, who with true legitimate loyalty worship him as an emanation from the Deity, he orders his throne to be removed into it, and sits thereon, the sole object of their awe and admiration."

Before more minute description it may be remarked,

that the eye is chiefly struck by the fretted golden rooi, rising step by step from the square oblong body of the carriage, like an ascending pile of rich shrine-work. "It consists of seven stages, diminishing in the most skilful and beautiful proportions towards the top. The carving is highly beautiful, and the whole structure is set thick with stones and gems of considerable value. These add little to the effect when seen from below, but ascending the gallery of the hall, the spectator observes them, relieved by the yellow ground of the gilding, and sparkling beneath him like dew drops in a field of cowslips. Their presence in so elevated a situation well serves to explain the accuracy of finish preserved throughout, even in the nicest and most minute portions of the work. Gilt metal bells, with large heart-shaped crystal drops attached to them, surround the lower stages of the pagoda, and, when the carriage is put in motion, emit a soft and pleasing sound." The apex of

the roof is a pinnac.e, called the tee, elevated on a pedestal. The tee is an emblem of royalty. It is formed of movable belts, or coronals of gold, wherein are set large amethysts of a greenish or purple colour; its summit is a small banner, or vane, of crystal.

The length of the carriage itself is thirteen feet seven inches; or, if taken from the extremity of the pole, twenty eight feet five inches. Its width is six feet nine inches, and its height to the summit of the tee, is nineteen feet two inches. The carriage body is five feet seven inches in length by four feet six inches in width, and its height, taken from the interior, is five feet eight inches. The four wheels are of uniform height, are remarkable for their lightness and elegance, and the peculiar mode by which the spokes are secured, and measure only four feet two inches: the spokes richly silvered are of very hard wood, called in the east iron wood; the felloes are cased in brass, and the caps to the naves elegantly designed of bell metal. The pole, also of iron wood, is heavy and massy; it was destined to be attached to elephants, by which the vehicle was intended to be drawn upon all grand or state occasions. The extremity of the pole is surmounted by the head and fore part of a dragon, a figure of idolatrous worship in the east; this ornament is boldly executed, and richly gilt and ornamented, the scales being composed of a curiously coloured talc. The other parts of the carriage are the wood of the oriental sassafras tree, which combines strength with lightness, and emits a grateful odour; and being hard and elastic, is easily worked, and peculiarly fitted for carving. The body of the carriage is composed of twelve panels, three on each face or front, and these are subdivided into small squares, of the clear and nearly transparent horn of the rhinoceros and buffalo, and other animals of eastern idolatry. These squares are set in broad gilt frames, tudded at every angle with raised silvered glass mirors: the higher part of these panels has a range of rich snall looking-glasses, intended to reflect the gilding of the upper, or pagoda stages.

The whole body is set in or supported by four wreaned dragon-like figures, fantastically entwined to answer ne purposes of pillars to the pagoda roof, and carved and ornamented in a style of vigour and correctness, that would do credit to a European design: the scaly or body part is of talc, and the eyes of pale ruby stones. The interior roof is latticed with small looking-glasses studded with mirrors as on the outside panels.

The upper part of each face of the body is composed of sash glasses, set in gilt-frames, to draw up and let down after the European fashion, but without case or lining to protect the glass from fracture when down; the catches to secure them when up, are simple and curious, and the On strings of these glasses are woven crimson cotton. the frames of the glasses is much writing in the Burmese character, but the language being utterly unknown in this country, cannot be deciphered; it is supposed to be golden monarch" seated adulatory sentences to the " within.

45

| to convey the natural appearance of life; two others to
correspond are perched on a bar behind. On the fore
part of the frame of the carriage, mounted on a silvered
carved image with a lofty golden wand in his hands, sur-
pedestal, in a kneeling position, is the tee-bearer, a small
mounted with a small tee, the emblem of sovereignty:
he is richly dressed in green velvet, the front laced with
jargoon diamonds, with a triple belt round the body, of
blue sapphires, emeralds, and jargoon diamonds; his
leggings are also embroidered with sapphires. In the
front of his cap is a rich cluster of white sapphires en-
circled with a double star of rubies and emeralds: the
cap is likewise thickly studded with the carbuncle, a stone
little known to us, but in high estimation with the an-
cients. Behind the carriage are two figures; their lower
limbs are tattooed, as is the custom with the Burmese:
from their position, being on one knee, their hands raised
and open, and their eyes directed as in the act of firing,
they are supposed to have borne a representation of the
cative of protection.
carbine, or some such fire-arm weapon of defence, indi-

The body is staid by braces of leather; the springs, which are of iron, richly gilt, differ not from the present fashionable C spring, and allow the carriage an easy and agreeable motion. The steps merely hook on to the outside: it is presumed they were destined to be carried by an attendant; they are light, and elegantly formed of gilt metal, with cane threads.

The Burmese are yet ignorant of that useful formation of the fore part of the carriage which enables those of European manufacture to be turned and directed with such facility: the fore part of that now under description, does not admit of a lateral movement of more than four inches; it therefore requires a very extended space in order to bring it completely round.

On a gilt bar before the front of the body, with their heads towards the carriage, stand two Japanese peacocks, a bird which is held sacred by this superstitious people; their figure and plumage are so perfectly represented, as

The pagoda or roof constitutes the most beautiful, and is, in short, the only imposing ornament of the carriage. The gilding is resplendent, and the design and carving These borders are studded with amethysts, of the rich borders which adorn each stage are no less admirable. emeralds, jargoon diamonds, garnets, hyacinths, rubies, tourmalines, and other precious gems, drops of amber and crystal being also interspersed. From every angle ascends a light spiral gilt ornament, enriched with crystals and emeralds.

This pagoda roofing,
as well as that of the
and of the state war-
great imperial palace,
boat or barge, bears an
exact similitude to the
chief sacred temple at
Shoemadro.

This carriage was
taken, with the work-
all their accounts.-
men who built it, and
From these it appeared
that it had been three
years in building, that
the gems were suppli-
ed from the king's trea-
sury, or by contribution
from the various states,
were remunerated by
and that the workmen
the government. Inde-
pendent of these items,
the expenses were sta
ted in the accounts to
have been twenty-five
thousand rupees, (three
thousand one hundred
& twenty five pounds.)

The stones are not less
in number than twenty
thousand, which in re-
puted value at Tavoy,
were a lac of rupees,
twelve thousand five
It was captured in
hundred pounds.
the month of Septem-
ber, 1825, at Tavoy,
mese empire.
a sea-port in the Bur-

89998

ENLARGED VIEW OF THE TEE,
OR PINNACLE.

[blocks in formation]

THIS interesting individual, commonly called the "Moorish Prince," was a native of the celebrated city of Timbuctoo, in Central Africa, of which city and the province connected with it, his grandfather was king. Abduhl's father, when a young man, was sent to conquer the Soosoos, a nation living at the distance of some twelve hundred miles. He succeeded, established a new kingdom called Foota Jallo, (the same with which the Liberians have had some intercourse,) and founded its capital, Teembo, now known to travellers as one of the largest cities on the continent. He went back and forth several times, from Teembo to Timbuctoo, from which place he finally removed his family, Prince being then about five years of age, to his newly acquired territory. At twelve years of age, Prince was sent to Timbuctoo, to obtain an education, being the rightful heir to the throne, in preference to an elder brother, whose mother was a Soosoo, while Prince's was a Moor. While at Timbuctoo, his grandfather, very far advanced in life, resigned his throne to his son, an uncle of the Prince. The family were all Mahometans.

When Prince was nineteen years of age, Dr. Cox, an American citizen, surgeon on board a ship, arrived at Sierra Leone. Having gone a hunting in the interior, and getting lost in the woods, he found, on his return to the coast, that his ship had sailed. He undertook an excursion into the country, and becoming lame and sick. arrived, at length, within the territory of Foota Jallo. Being the first white man ever seen by the inhabitants, he was carried, as a great curiosity, to the king, Prince's father, at Teembo, who entertained him for six months with the greatest hospitality. During this time, he was an inmate at Prince's house, adjoining that of his father. Restored to perfect health, he was sent by the king, with gold, ivory, clothes, and an escort of armed men to protect him, to Sierra Leone, where, providentially, his ship had returned, and he came back in it in safety to this country.

Seven years afterwards, Prince, being a Colonel in his father's cavalry, was sent, with a party of seventeen hundred men, to retaliate upon the Hebohs, who had very

much annoyed the trade of the people of Foota Jallo with the sea-coast. After a successful campaign, Prince, on his return was taken prisoner by the Hebohs, who surprised him and his party in ambush. He was sold to the Mandingos, and they, in turn, sold him to a slaveship, at the mouth of the Gambia. Thence he was carried to Dominique, and thence to Natchez, where he was sold to his late master, Colonel Foster.

About sixteen or eighteen years after this transaction, as Prince was selling sweet potatoes in Washington, a neighbouring town, he was met and recognized by his old acquaintance and inmate at Teembo, Dr. Cox. In the fulness of his gratitude, the doctor went to Col. Foster, and offered him one thousand dollars as the ransom of his slave; but the colonel valued him so highly for the salutary influence he exerted over his other slaves, and at the same time doubted so much whether Prince's fortunes would be bettered by emancipation, that he rejected these proposals. Such interest, however, was made in his behalf subsequently, and especially by a son of Dr. Cox, (who had meanwhile deceased,) that in the spring of 1828 Prince received his freedom gratuitously at the hands of his master. The citizens of Natchez also contributed two hundred dollars for the liberation of his wife, a slave on the same plantation, and this accordingly was accomplished. Prince was now about sixty-six years of age, (having been born in 1760,) and had passed about forty years in bondage.

[graphic]

[To be concluded in our next.]

LITERATURE.

LANGUAGE.

In our last, we considered language under its earlier and primary developments. Natural language, common to man and beast, and in some degree to every thing that has life, may be regarded as the simplest mode of natural sounds. Next in order ranks the language of intelligence, which we have briefly considered under the denomination of oral language. The third classification includes written language, of which something like a connected history may be given, because it is capable of furnishing its own memorials. The vast and incalculable sum of spoken words which were uttered and heard, and which had their effect, before the inhabitants of the youthful earth knew the art of committing their thoughts to the tablet, the papyrus, or the parchment, to be read by the future,-are all lost to mankind. They are as if they had never been spoken. But where letters have interposed their aid, "thoughts that breathe and words that burn" have become permanent and fixed for the contemplation of all future generations of men.

There is a strong principle in mankind to connect their names or actions with the future. They would not die and be forgotten, like the beast that leaves no memorial save a track on the sand, which rain and wind shall soon obliterate. This is, indeed, a glorious, an aspiring principle-a principle which is strongly characteristic of man, and illustrates his superiority over the brute.

The first demonstrations of this principle were probably extremely simple. A wandering man would mark the fact of his journeying, by engraving the figure of an arrow on a stone, or in the bark of a tree, which would also be an index to the direction in which he travelled. The fact that he intended to return might be indicated by a reversed arrow, to which the representation of one or two or more moons might be affixed, to denote the expected term of his absence. The date of the transaction might be indicated by some figure which should represent the season, whether of flowers, or the usual time in which particular birds or beasts were wont to appear. Pictorial or graphic writing was evidently the earliest literature, as it could be read without an alphabet. For instance, a person who was desirous to record for the inspection of posterity the character of a warrior or chief of renown, had only to picture, on some medium or other, the

the figure of a man, distinguished by the sign of his tribe or family, which was after that of a bird or an animal. This would identify the individual in some degree. Then the natural progress of the historian would be, to depict his qualities in the same pictorial series. If courage was a remarkable trait in his character, it might have been designated by the figure of a lion or any other brave beast-and thus, from this wide stock of symbolic materials, quite a connected story could be depictedincluding battle scenes and other enterprises of moment to the welfare of mankind. This was pictorial writing. It gave a few glaring ideas to the mind of qualities and actions; yet it had no power as a medium of argument, reasoning, or the expression of abstract principles.

It was the error of two thousand years, to have classed the Egyptian hieroglyphics in this species of writing; but thus read, they could not be understood-they had no palpable and connected meaning; and quite up to the present generation, they were considered as either unmeaning figures, or characters of a dark and hidden import, that must forever be as mute as the grim forms that wrote them and seemingly guarded them in the dusky catacombs.

It

The question-What was the first written language? is one on which much has been said and written. opens a fair field of investigation to which we will approach, aided by all the light shed over the subject from the most remote history, as well as modern researches.

It is a mournful sight to gaze upon the scenery where mighty nations once lived, and enacted their deeds of magnificence and glory. The brown and dusty hills of Palestine, the far-reaching, sterile plains of ancient Phonicia, and the sea-shore on which the waves of the ancient Tyrrhene now beat in lonely murmurs,-tell no tale of departed empire. Desolation has gnawed away the columns of the "queen of cities." The site of Babylon is even now conjectural. Nineveh is a mighty shadean echo coming down to us from a far off age. The rocks and scattered bricks of those vast piles of human power that once heaved up their summits and battlements towards heaven, contain few inscriptions. The written language of that once powerful land is now its only memorials.

The earliest Phoenician historian whose writings are preserved in the extracts found in later historians, is Sanchoniatho-a contemporary of Solomon, the third king of Judah. His works are dedicated to the father of that king of Tyre who assisted Solomon in the erection of the first temple. The works of this writer, however, as we shall hereafter show, are not the earliest productions of written language besides the writings of Moses of whose existence we have conclusive proof. F.

[blocks in formation]

MUNERA SUNT, AUCTOR QUÆ PRETIOSA FECIT. Lat. from Ovid. "Those gifts are ever the most acceptable which the giver has made precious;" that is, The value of a present is enhanced, in proportion to our estimation of the donor.

ACCUSARE NEMO SE DEBET, NISI CORAM DEO. Lat. (Law maxim.) "Nobody is bound to accuse himself, unless it be before God;" that is, No one is under obligation to be a legal witness against himself.

ACCERIMA PROXIMORUM ODIA. Lat. from Tacitus. "The quarrels of relatives are the most violent." By a very natural transition, it may be applied to civil war. AC ETIAM. Lat. (Law phrase.) "And also;" a clause added to a complaint of trespass, which adds "and also" a plea of debt.

POETRY.

GENIUS WAKING.

SLUMBER'S heavy chain hath bound theeWhere is now thy fire?

Feebler wings are gathering round thee—
Shall they hover higher?

Can no power, no spell, recal thee
From inglorious dreams?
O! could glory so appal thee,
With his burning beams!
Thine was once the highest pinion
In the midway air;

With a proud and sure dominion.
Thou didst upward bear.
Like the herald, winged with lightning,
From the Olympian throne.
Ever mounting, ever brightning,
Thou wert there alone.

Where the pillared props of heaven
Glitter with eternal snows,
Where no darkling clouds are driven,
Where no fountain flows-
Far above the rolling thunder,
When the surging storm
Rent its sulphury folds asunder,
We beheld thy form.

O! what rare and heavenly brightness
Flowed around thy plumes,

As a cascade's foamy whiteness
Lights a cavern's glooms!
Wheeling through the shadowy occan,
Like a shape of light,
With serene and placid motion,

Thou wert dazzling bright.
From that cloudless region stooping,
Downward thou didst rush,
Not with pinion faint and drooping,
But the tempest's gush.
Up again undaunted soaring,

Thou didst pierce the cloud,
When the warring winds were roaring
Fearfully and loud.

Where is now that restless longing

After higher things?

Come they not, like visions, thronging
On their airy wings?

Why should not their glow enchant thee
Upward to their bliss?

Surely danger cannot daunt thee

From a heaven like this.

But thou slumberest; faint and quivering
Hangs thy ruffled wing;

Like a dove in winter shivering,
Or a feebler thing.

Where is now thy might and motion,
Thy imperial flight?

Where is now thy heart's devotion?
Where thy spirit's light?

Hark! his rustling plumage gathers
Closer to his side,

Close, as when the storm-bird weathers
Ocean's hurrying tide.

Now his nodding beak is steady-
Wide his burning eye-
Now his opening wings are ready,
And his aim-how high!

Now he curves his neck, and proudly
Now is stretched for flight-
Hark! his wings-they thunder loudly,
And their flash-how bright!
Onward-onward over mountains
Through the rock and storm,
Now, like sunset over fountains,
Flits his glancing form.

Glorious bird, thy dream has left thee-
Thou hast reached thy heaven-
Lingering slumber hath not reft thee
Of the glory given.
With a bold, a fearless pinion,
On thy starry road,
None, to fame's supreme dominion,
Mightier ever trode.

PERCIVAL.

[blocks in formation]

MISCELLANY.

OUR youth is like the dream of the hunter on the hill of heath. He sleeps in the mild beams of the sun; he awakes amidst a storm; the red lightning flies around; trees shake their heads to the wind! He looks back with joy on the day of the sun, and the pleasant dreams of his rest! When shall Ossian's youth return? When his ear delight in the sound of arms? When shall I, like Oscar, travel in the light of my steel? Come, with your streams, ye hills of Cona! listen to the voice of Ossian. The song rises, like the sun, in my soul. I feel the joys of other times!

I behold thy towers, O Selma! the oaks of thy shaded wall; thy stream sounds in my ear; thy heroes gather around. Fingal sits in the midst. He leans on the shield of Trenmor: his spear stands against the wall; he listens to the song of his bards. The deeds of his arm are heard; the actions of the king in his youth! Oscar had returned from the chase, and heard the hero's praise. He took the shield of Branno from the wall; his eyes were filled with tears. Red was the cheek of youth. His voice was trembling, low. My spear shook its bright head in his hand: he spoke to Morven's king. Ossian.

INDIAN METHod of driving AWAY THE CHOLERA MORBUS.

It was only during our last journey through Boondi, that I was amused with my friend's expedient to keep death out of the capital, as likewise with the old Regent's mode of getting rid of this most unwelcome visitor in Kotah. Having assembled the brahmins, astrologers, and those versed in incantations, a grand rite was got up, sacrifice made, and a solemn decree of desvatto, or banishment, was pronounced against murri (the cholera.) Accordingly, an equipage was prepared for her, decorated with funeral emblems, painted black, and drawn by a double team of black oxen; bags of grain, also black, were put into the vehicle, that the lady might not go forth without food, and, driven by a man in sable vestments, followed by the yells of the populace, Murri was deported across the Chumbul, with the commands of the priests that she should never set foot again in Kotah. When my friend heard of the cholera's expulsion from Kotah, and that she was supposed to be on the road to Boondi, he called all the wise men of this city to provide means to keep her from entering therein. To this end, all the waters of the sacred Ganges at hand were in requisition, an earthen vessel was placed over the southern portal from which the sacred water was continually dripping, and against which no evil could prevail. Whether my friend's supply of the holy water failed, or Murri disregarded such opposition, she reached his palace and he himself fell her victim.-Colonel Tod's Annals of Rajasthan.

THE CALMUCK TARTARS.

A

Calmuck women ride better than the men. A male Calmuck on horseback looks as if he was intoxicated, and likely to fall off every instant, though he never loses his seat; but the women sit with more ease, and ride with extraordinary skill. The ceremony of marriage among the Calmucks is performed on horseback. girl is first mounted, who rides off at full speed. Her lover pursues; and, if he overtakes her, she becomes his wife, returning with him to his tent. But it sometimes happens that the woman does not wish to marry the person by whom she is pursued, in which case she will not suffer him to overtake her; and we were assured that no instance occurs of a Calmuck girl being thus caught, unless she has a partiality for her pursuer.-Dr. Clarke's Travels in Russia &c.

Let no one count the number of his friends, till they have been bolted in the sieve of his own adversity; for there is much bran in prosperous friendship.

AMERICAN LYCEUM.

The following resolutions were passed by the American Lyceum at their Anniversary recently held in this city.

The Committee are convinced from personal observation, as well as from the facts presented to the Lyceum at its present meeting. that the combination of manual labour with study is a means not only of promoting health, and securing vigor of constitution, but also of rendering intellectual efforts more easy and energetic, and of regulating the passions both of body and mind. They would therefore propose for the adoption of the Lyceum the following resolutions:

Resolved, in the opinion of this Lyceum, 1. That no system of education is complete which does not provide for the vigor of the body, as well as the cultivation of the mind, and the purity of

the heart.

2. That the combination of manual labour with study is not only important, as the means of promoting health, but that it is also calculated to invigorate the mind for intellectual labour, and to aid in regulating the feelings and restraining the passions of youth, which are so often excited by a sedentary life.

3. That the acquisition of some mechanical employment in early life is desirable to every individual, as a means of relaxation and health, as a resource in case of difficulty, and especially as a means of rendering labour respectable in the eyes of all, and of promoting mutual regard and sympathy between the different portions of society in a republican government.

4. That in view of these facts, the Lyceum earnestly recommend to parents to secure the benefit of manual labour to their children from the earliest period practicable, as a part of domestic

education.

[blocks in formation]

vention of the Allied Powers.

The cholera has entirely subsided at Matanzas, and great joy has been manifested on the occasion, by the firing of guns, illuminations, &c. This scourge of the human race seems to be wending its dark and mysterious way back upon us again. It has unless we make haste to cleanse this city, we may expect soon to already made its appearance at New Orleans and Cincinnati; and see it raging here. Indeed, we doubt whether it has ever entirely left us since its appearance last summer.

Immense damage has been occasioned at the West by the recent flood. The canal has in some places been so injured as to interrupt navigation. The Mohawk was never before known to have risen to such a height. The freshet appears to have extended over a large tract of country. We hear of much damage in Pennsylvania.

ONE HUNDRED AGENTS

Could be advantageously employed in different sections of the Union, in obtaining subscribers for the Magazine. It is not of hence subscribers may as well be obtained in one part of the couna local character, but is calculated for general circulation; and try us another. Good encouragement will be given to agents; and a number to the amount of one hundred at least, could be furnished by us with profitable employment.

PUBLISHED AT 222 WILLIAM STREET.

TERMS-One Dollar and Fifty Cents per anN. IN ADVANCE. Should an order for the Magazine be received unaccompanied by advance payment, one number will be sent, showing our terms; after which, no more will be forwarded till payment shall have been received.

Companies of four individuals, sending FIVE DOLLARS, current here, free of postage, will be furnished with four copies for one year. Companies of ten, sending TEN DOLLARS as above, will be furnished with ten copies.

Schools adopting the Magazine will be supplied at ONE DOLLAR per annum for each copy.

miles, and 11-4 cent for any distance over. The postage on the Magazine is 3-4 of a cent under one hundred

*

*Letters should be addressed thus: Editor of the Family Magazine, 222 William street, New York.

« PreviousContinue »