e,
'Here are the natural enemies of your country, and here are your priests
who wait on the bed of your sickness, and are your friends alike
in prosperity or in woe: follow us or them.'" Such an appeal to the
feelings of a superstitious multitude was sure to prevail: there is
more might in superstition than in any of the lawful weapons in argument
which man can use.

THE BURMESE WAR.

{GEORGE IV. 1826--1827}

There was no faith manifested by the court of wa in the armistice which
had been concluded in September, 1825, and so the war continued. During
the negociations which followed, the Burmese monarch had made vigorous
preparations for its continuance; and when the armistice had nearly
expired, in reply to the proposals made for peace by the British
commanders, this haughty and laconic answer was given, "If you wish for
peace, you may go away; but if you wish either money or territory, no
friendship can exist between us. This is Burmese custom." The reply was
seconded by the advance of 60,000 Burmese troops along the banks of the
Irrawaddy against the British and native Indian troops at Prome. The
right division, consisting of 15,000 men, under the command of Sadda
Woon, moved along the western bank of the river; the centre, of about
30,000, commanded by the Kee Wongee, or head minister, marched along the
eastern bank, with numerous war-boats and stores; and the left, 15,000
strong, under Maha Nemiow, moved by a route about ten miles distant from
the river, and separated from it by an extensive forest. Besides these
there was a reserve of 10,000 men, under Prince Memiaboo, occupying a
strongly fortified position at Melloone; another force ready to oppose
any movement from Arracan; and Sykia Wongee was still carrying on a
desultory warfare in the vicinity of Pegu, and threatening Rangoon.
The British force consisted only of 5,000 men, besides a garrison to
maintain Prome, and some native troops opposed to Sykia Wongee, and in
garrison at Rangoon. A rencontre took place between our advanced guard
and Maha Nemiow's division on the 10th of November, in which the British
suffered severely; their commander, Colonel M'Dowall, was slain, and the
troops were obliged to retreat. Encouraged by this success, Maha Nemiow
marched directly on Prome, close to which he took up his position. About
8,000 of his men were slain whose confidence had not been shaken by
contact with our troops; and these levies were accompanied by th