A Scene in Mandalay

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7979, 9 December 1911, Page 11

A Scene in Mandalay

Moat Surrounding Ki LAST week sa vr the anniversary of the surrender of Kins Theban - of Burmah to a British force.

That was a gala day in Mandalay, writes a recent lady visitor to the country, when the good King Mindon, resplendent in gold and jewels, and mounted on a while elephant, made his State entry into the capital he had founded in 1559, and took up his abode in the royal palace. Hero ho lived and reigned tor twenty years longer, a great statesman, a refortner of abuses, and tho beloved of his people. The building is a good example of Burmese architecture, standing in the centre of a quadrangle that measures thirty feet high ,witn crenellated walls The kiosks with which they aro surmounted at intervals once served as watch towers, and tho whole is surrounded hy a broad moat, spanned by bridges at the principal gateways. Here in the later days. King Thebaw and his fascinating consort might often he seen, with their eilken-rohed attendants, sailing about in gilded barges. At night, within the x>alace, the light of many lamps played upon tho red and golden walls and ceilings, and caused the mirror-mosaics on frieze and lintel to

ing - Mindon’s Palace sparkle, while tho pwe (native dance) or drama was performed before'the royal pair and tboir Court.

Those were the palmy days for tho boy and girl sovereigns who succeeded Mindon on his throne. Unfitted hy education for their position, though not without some good qualities, they led a life of pleasure and gave little thought to tho cares of State. The natural results followed, misrule, discontent, revolt, until tho English guns laid low their defences. From that time the traders, as well as all strangers, were safe, and this distant territory became a part of the British empire. Over a quarter of a century has elapsed and Thebaw and Supaya-lat are still exiles in India, never to return. Their palace now serves as the English club and reading rooms and tho space once covered with gardens. and pleasure grounds is mostly occupied by the garrison.

The visitor to this part of the country should not leave it without having a sail on tho Irrawaddy. The scenery of this wonderful river, from Prome to Bhamo, a British outpost close to the Chinese frontier, is such as will not easily he forgotten.