WD540(46)

‘A Kioum or Monastry, near the British Residency.’

THIS strikingly pictorial and handsome building, called the ‘Tha-ta-than-a Kioum’, is a fair and characteristic example of the general architecture of these monastic edifices, and was long an object of admiration to the gentlemen of the Mission. The judicious and tasteful arrangement of its parts, and the elegance of its ornamental details, and golden spires, formed a combination of the attractive which was supported and heightened by the presence of massive and graceful foliage of tamarind and other trees around. With exception of the steps, which are invariably formed of brick, the entire structure is of wood. It was built by a rich merchant, and the gilding of the interior, which is said to be exceedingly beautiful, is stated to have cost not less than a Lac of Roopees. It was situated on the road from the long wooden bridge to the Residency; was the handsomest specimen of its kind which had been seen, and therefore considered a good subject for a careful and patient delineation.

The splendid monasteries, called the Queen’s Kioums, to the north of the city, had not then been seen. Before the captivating charms of these, this building of course ‘paled its ineffectual fire;’ but the former were suitable only to the myriad-pencil of the Photographer, — unless the stay of the Mission had been for years instead only of a very few weeks.