this wild state of excitement is often prolonged until the commencement of the next race.

The Burmese are very clannish in their feelings, coupled with a strong itch for gambling, especially at these annual races; and the purses for the races being raised in the districts to which the contending boats belong, are, consequently often heavy ones. A good deal of money, also, changes hands in outside bets; but all are ready-money transactions, paid down on the spot, and amongst this lighthearted people, those who lose look for better luck next year, and losses are soon forgotten.

The youth of Burma show great agility in their game of foot-ball (khyay-lon), which differs, however, very considerably from the European game, and is played by six or eight young men formed in a circle. The ball, a hollow sphere formed of wicker-work, is tossed up in the air in the centre of the group, and the object is to pass it from one to the other, and keep it from falling to the ground as long as possible. It must not be struck with the handbut foot, ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, and any other part of the body may be used. No little skill is required in keeping the ball in motion, and they seldom miss their stroke, or fail to give the ball the direction intended. To have their limbs free, they "gird up their loins," and their tattooing becomes very apparent, as may be observed in the engraving

on the opposite page. The game causes much merriment and laughter, and is pursued with great spirit. A similar game is played in Cochin China,* but with a shuttlecock made of dried skin rolled round and bound with strings, into which feathers are inserted.

Most young men learn to box and wrestle, and a proficient in them is always held in high esteem and respect. In boxing, "tripping up," and striking with the knee and foot, as well as the fist, are allowable. Wrestling is pursued in the same manner as with us, throwing on the back constituting the victory.

On holidays or festive occasions the most common diversions are boxing and wrestling. Ground for the ring is prepared and made soft with moistened sand, and around it the spectators sit or stand, a scaffolding being erected on one side for the umpires and "heads of the people." As is the practice at every festival, a band of music is in attendance, and plays during the combats. No severe or cruel punishment is allowed, and "the first drop of claret tapped," or blood drawn from a cut lip, or elsewhere, decides the fight. To determine this point, curious

See Macartney's "Embassy to China,” vol. i., p. 339.

It must be remembered that they wear no boots or shoes on these occasions. I have seen a severe fall given by the foot being caught in an attempt at a high kick, and a very awkward blow given under the chin by the

knee.

and minute examinations are often set on foot by the umpires, those having cut lips or other trifling mishaps, endeavouring to conceal them, and the detection of which calls forth bursts of laughter from the spectators.

Their first attitude of defence is not good, the principal object appearing to be to plant the first blow, and leave the rest to chance; but the agility and rapidity with which they dodge a blow and return it, would be considered good anywhere. When a match is made up, the two competitors, dressed in a similar fashion to that shown in the "game at foot-ball," after exchanging a friendly word or two, take up a position in the centre of the ring, each being accompanied by a second, who is generally an old professor and teacher of the art. The following description is not unlike that which then happens.

As the combatants advance, each carefully watches his opponent's eye, with one arm in reserve, and the other put out and withdrawn, as if feeling the distance, the music playing as they draw near each other gradually the measure quickens, the muscular motions of the combatants seem to keep time to it—a feint, a blow dodged, a right and left homethe music faster and faster-a cross-buttock cleverly escaped, and another blow home. The kettle-drums dance madly in their circular frames-the com