BURMA 248 BUBMA mese proper are of a brown color, with lank, black hair (seldom any on the face), and have active, vigorous, well- proportioned frames. They are a cheer- ful, lively people, fond of amusement, averse to continuous exertion, free from prejudice of caste or creed, temperate and hardy. The predominant religion is Buddhism. Missionaries are active in their efforts, but the Christian faith has not yet made much progress in the coun- try. Polygamy is permitted by Buddhist law, but is rare, and is considered as not altogether respectable. Divorce is easily from India) are more or less circular. There is a considerable literature. Burma is now divided into Lower Burma and Upper Burma, the former till 1886 being called British Burma, while the latter till that date was an independent kingdom or empire. Lower Burma was acquired from Independent Burma in 1826 and 1852 as the result of two wars terminating in favor of Great Britain. It comprises the divi- sions of Aracan, Pegu, Irrawaddy, and Tenasserim; area, 87,473 square miles; pop. about 3,000,000. Under British rule A VILLAGE IN BURMA obtained. Women in Burma occupy a much freer and happier position tnan they do in Indian social life. They go about freely, manage the household and make successful women of business, con- ducting not merely retail trades but also large wholesale concerns. Education is very general, one of the chief occupa- tions of the monks in the numerous monasteries being the teaching of boys to read and write. Many of these mo- nastic schools are under government in- spection. The Burmese are skillful weavers, smiths, sculptors, workers in gold and silver, joiners, etc. The ordi- nary buildings are of a very slight con- struction, chiefly of timber or bamboo raised on posts; but the religious edifices are in many cases imposing, though the material is but brick. Carving and gild- ing are features of their architecture. The Burmese language is monosyllabic, like Chinese, and is written with an al- i/habet the character^ of which (derived it has prospered greatly, the population and trade having increased immensely, there being regularly a large surplus revenue. Roads, canals, and railways have been constructed and other public works carried out, as also public build- ings erected. The total foreign trade is valued at over $120,000,000. The chief city and port is Rangoon, which is now connected by railway with Mandalay in Upper Burma. The government is administered by a lieutenant-governor, and a legislative council of 19 members. The Burmese Empire is of little note in ancient or general history. Since the 16th century the Burmese proper have mostly been the predominant race, and ruled the Peguans, Karens, etc., through- out the country. The capital has at dif- ferent times been at Ava, Pegu, Frome, or elsewhere. In the latter half of the 18th century the Burmese Emperors be- gan a series of wars of conquest with
