WD540(14)

‘Mag-way, Pagoda and River, looking north.’

THE banks of the river now change their character. The right or western side becomes low, whilst the left rises into bold elevations. Mao-way — the largest town yet seen by the Mission — is built after the usual Burmese manner, in lines of houses parallel with the shore, diversified only by the breaks and undulations of the bank, under nearly the whole line of which, vast numbers of boats, of every kind and size, were gathered and made fast; indicative of the busy and commercial character of the place. Rice, Jaggree and Cutch are obtained here; and it is said to be much visited by people of the Shan country.

No opportunity was afforded to sketch the town, as the steamers passed up and anchored some little distance above it, at a richly wooded and picturesque spot, surrounded by palms of extraordinary magnitude, and a variety of trees of more umbrageous character.

The chief subject of this drawing is a very beautiful pagoda, the principal temple of the place, to which much sanctity is attached, crowning a bold promontory that commands an extensive view of the broad river. This temple is called the ‘‘Mya Thalwon’, (or ‘the Emerald Couch’) from being reputed to contain a relic of the bed of Gautma.’ (‘Captain Yule’s Report page 11.’)

The site from whence this view was obtained was the summit of a steep and jungly hill, the road to which was extremely pretty, winding round the foot of woody acclivities and jutting high banks, overshadowed by magnificent Tamarind and other

‘— lofty trees to ancient song unknown,

The noble sons of potent heat and floods,’

and towering palmyras, which the Burmese ascend by means of ladders hooped and fastened to the stems throughout their whole length.

Between the hill and the temple the ground was broken, and the deep hollow or valley was filled by an almost impenetrable mass of rich foliage, amidst which that of the luxuriant peepul-tree was most observable.