they come from the land itself in which the pagoda
stands, and it is as a Burmese spectacle that the feast
demands the notice of the world.
Lanterns making a circle of fire against the night
are hung upon its circumference a hundred feet above
the base of the pagoda. A million waxen tapers flame
before the effigies of the Buddha, and upon the purple
and the gold and the mosaic and the carved wood.
The clang of bells, the refrain of the worshipping
populace, the silken tread of unnumbered feet upon the
polished stones, daze the ear with their multitudinous
music. Vast as is the platform of the pagoda, there
is at times scarcely room to move upon it for the press
of pilgrims. White muslins ,and delicate silks, and
flaming turbans, bangles of red gold, and pyramids of
diamonds, and flowers placed in the uncovered coils
o f the women; monks in swaying yellow robes,
Shans in flapping hats and wide trousers, pig-tailed
Chinamen, and peasants clad in the rough homespun of
the jungle, make up the varied scene.
Before the dawn, “ When the red star appears,”
the worshippers rise and prepare their offerings of fruit
and flowers and sweetmeats, and one by one they
converge upon the temple. A few, still earlier in their
devotions, climb while it is yet dark, with the aid o f
lanterns, up the dark polished stairs. The morning
finds a great company assembled. Here and there
men pray in . companies, representing some religious
association ; parties of villagers frightened by tales of
town dangers keep together; but for the most part MONKS AN D MOSAICS