The fact is, that the English never had any business in India, and their only title to it now consists in their long possession and occupation of the territory. The world has forgotten that, or overlooked it from the first. The nation is brave and intelligent, but hasty and inconsiderate, and so blind is it when excited, that, at such time, like Captain Absolute, it could cut its own throat, “or any other person’s, with the greatest pleasure in the world.”
I trust this little work may serve as a guide to the many valuable and interesting volumes to which I have been indebted, and that the reader may not count the hours spent in its perusal lost. My literary engagements have somewhat hurried the close, but nothing of importance has been omitted; indeed, by the kindness of several friends, I have been able, here and there, to add new illustrations and comments.
KENNETH R. H. MACKENZIE.
CONTENTS.
| [BOOK I.] BURMAN CIVILISATION. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Geographical sketch—Character of the country—Climate—The river Irawadi—The Petroleum Wells—The Saluen, &c.—Forests—Plants—Minerals—Animals—Races of Burmah—Character of the Burmese nation | [1] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| The King absolute—Instances of despotism—Titles—Forms of government—Offices—The Law Courts—Their iniquity—Instances—The Book of the Oath epitomized—The oath—Laws—Police—Revenues—Petroleum—Family-tax—Imports and exports—Exactions—Army—Equipments—Cowardice—March—The Invulnerables—Discipline—Military character—White elephants—Description of an early traveller—Its high estimation—Treatment—Funeral | [16] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Cosmography—The Burman hells—Definition of a Nat, by Hesiod—Buddha—Gaudama—His probable history—Buddhism—Priests—Temples—Curious cave near Prome—Monasteries—Ceremonies—Funeral—Concluding remarks | [45] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Language—Literature—Manuscripts—The Aporazabon—Superstitions—Divination—The Deitton—Astronomy—Division of time | [66] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Currency—Weights—Commerce—Ports—Teak-wood—Houses—Tanks—Dress— Food—Marriages—Childbirth—Funerals—Arts—Slavery—The Drama—Chess—Games—Music—Fireworks | [81] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Ancient history—Pegu—Character of the Burmese—Concluding reflections | [99] |
| [BOOK II.] BURMAN HISTORY. | |
| CHAPTER I. 1687-1760. | |
| Alompra, the liberator of Burmah | [108] |
| CHAPTER II. 1760-1819. | |
| Anaundopra—Zempiuscien—Chenguza—Paongoza—Men-ta-ra-gyee | [135] |
| CHAPTER III. 1760-1824. | |
| British intercourse with Ava—Alves’s mission—Symes’s mission—Canning—King Nun-Sun—Rise of the Burman war—Its origin in official aggression—Evacuation of Cachar | [145] |
| CHAPTER IV. 1824. | |
| Bundoola—Retreat of Captain Noton—Defeat at Ramoo—Repulse of the Burmans—Burmese account of the war—Rangoon expedition—Description of Rangoon | [156] |
| CHAPTER V. 1824. | |
| Arrival at Rangoon—Taking of that town—Position of the troops—State of the neighbourhood—Confidence of the king of Ava—Attack of Joazong—Burmese embassy—Capture of Kemendine—Reinforcements from Madras—Sickness of the army—Endurance of the British soldier | [169] |
| CHAPTER VI. 1824. | |
| Encounters with the Burmese—Capture of Kummeroot—Taking of Syriam—Storming of Dalla—Conquest of Tenasserim province—The Invulnerables | [181] |
| CHAPTER VII. 1824-1825. | |
| Battle of Kykloo—Thantabain—Maha Bundoola—Successes of the British—Discomfiture of Maha Bundoola—Campbell marches into the interior—Arrival at Donabew—Repulse—Death of Bundoola—Capture of Donabew | [189] |
| CHAPTER VIII. 1825-1826. | |
| Arrival at Prome—Prome under English rule—Re-assembly of the Burmese army—Negotiations for peace—Battle of Meaday—Melloon—Yandabo—Treaty of peace | [197] |