umbrella above it. The Burmese used to believe that this spire was in
the very middle of the earth.

10. Another fine building is a high lookout tower. From the top of it
there is a grand view. On one side I saw a hill covered with temples. At
the foot of the hill there were four hundred and fifty of these temples.
There must be thousands of them in and near the city.

11. As I drove to my hotel last night I saw a number of boys playing
Burmese football. They do not take sides, nor do they try to kick goals.
The football is made of basket-work.

12. The boys stand round in a ring, and the game is to keep the ball
from touching the ground. The boys pass the ball from one to the other
by knocking it up with their heads, arms, hands, legs, or toes. Some of
the boys are very clever at this game.

[Illustration: {Boys playing Burmese football}]

13. Burma has many beautiful rivers and some fine mountains. By the side
of the rivers much rice is grown. Away in the north there are grand
forests filled with wild animals. Tigers are often shot within twenty
miles of the old king's palace.

14. Now I have filled my paper, and I must bring this letter to an end.
I hope you are all well and happy. I am leaving Burma tomorrow.--Best
love to you all. FATHER.

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