WD540(5)

‘Myan-Oung, from the Steamer.’

AT Myan-Oung, which is another day's steam journey from Henzidah, and on the same (the western) side of the river, are cantonments for the Pegue Light-Infantry, a body of men raised and organized by Major Nutall.

Burmese towns and villages, which are almost invariably stretched in one long thin line upon the margin of the river, have generally little variety in their appearance to distinguish them from each other; but the town portion of this station, which is to the south or left of the locality represented in the drawing, is characterized by a greater collection of old Pagodas and other religious edifices, than had yet been seen in progress of journeying up the river. The improvement in the scenery generally, however, now becomes very marked. Besides the distant view of the Arracan range of hills, which here becomes very positive and clear, the borders of the river, after leaving Myan Oung, rise into picturesque elevations, the summit of the principal one of which, forming a commanding point of the river, was selected by the Burmese, during the last war, for the erection of a powerful battery of guns, with which it was intended to intercept the passage of the English war steamers. The design was frustrated, however, by Captain Tarleton taking his boats another route, up one of the broad creeks, which, by a circuit of about a mile, avoided the hill, and joined the Irrawaddy higher up.

The country continues elevated, and to increase in attractiveness as it approaches Prome.