The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-03

INC pist J .ew weeks because DR.. williams
snis oroth' ~, OF Rangoon, owes him some
money ~ TO be released. There can be
no do Ibt that the mixed court WIN do
nluch towards opening UP the interior. Hitherto
mere nants have been afraid to do very much busi-
mes with either the King or his subjects, owing to
&C senderness OF the chances OF their ever getting
any cash return for their goods and the impossibty
OF recovering debt due by native Burman But
now credits may be more freely extended and as
the King has further agreed to observe the treaty OF
1865, which provides for q certain freedom OF trade
there viii be large increase in the commerce be-
tween native and British Burmah.
Captain Williams report rs engineer to the West
ern China expedition OF last year has just been pub
lshed. or The ACCESSIBILITY or going up the IRA
waddy river as far possible Captain Williams Is as
firmly convinced as Captain Sladcn, but he recon-
mends taking moro southerly pass through the
mountains than that through which the expedition
journeyed. From what he was able to gather from
tho Kakhens he believes the way he suggests would
be found much the easiest the gradients being more
gradual and the hills themselves lower than on the
other route.
There Is no doubt now but that the government OF
India has fully awakened TO the advantages attend.
Ing The opening OF this new road to Cnina An
agent has already been appointed at Bhamo and fur
ther steps Will be taken Us soon as communication
can be again restored with the Panthayo. The last
rumor by the way OF the defeat OF the latter by the
Chinese Imreriast forces, still lacks confirmation
and is probably as baseless as the reports to the
Burmah has postponed the construction OF a rail-
road from Rangoon to Prone, to he extended ult-
marcy as the commercial needs OF the country may
suggest:
Agricultural Bureau at Washington, was distributed
have been received. In few cases the crop has
been been toerably good and the cuva!ors appear to
ter. This last season, however, has been
very unfavorabe, and the cyclone in the
Akyab district destroyed nearly ali the plants there.
In many cases, also, it appears that the naGlves,
from ignorance, allowed the paddy to be too much
under water. Where 1t has thrlven the rice seems
| TO be larger and finer than tile grain received aud
the official reports, as whole speak very favoraply
The cotton crop has this year been larger than ever
BEFORE and the exports 70 Europe have not 1acn far
short OF 10000 bales. Much more than this has been
raised, but 1t has ClJhcr been absorbed by the
natives or sent overland to Western CHINA, where
It Is worked up into coarse fabrics. Cotton culture
In Burnah Is entirely carried on by small Burmese
farmers, VINO raise probably couple of bales annu-
ally per head. The bales mere are smaller than In
on q large scale by Europeans, employing number
OF hands, has not yet been attempted, owing the
difficulty of keeping Burmese regularly ut work.
II the cotton market, however, shows any
probability OF the present price for Burmese cotton
being maintained, coolies Will be imported from In
Ola and large plantations established 1t is estimated
that fourteen cents pound at Liverpool would yield
handsome profit ana at present eighteen cents IS
being obtained. Tho Burnan cotton has longer
staple than indian and ranks between that aud
American uplands. Burnlah however, is not likely
to ever become a very serious rival TO tine United
States IN producing cotton.
But there Is another product OF the country which
VIII no doubt become OF great importance-peGro.
leum. Few Americans are aware, probably, that as
lar back as 1885 Oil Was ''struck" in Burnlah in
fact Kerosene has most likely been known to ana
used by the native Burmese for generations. The
only wells &C present being worked are owned by the
King OF Burmah and are situated IN his own
British frontier. The method OF working them Is
somewhat primitive. Tne pits are about four feet
ra IN a n a dann rhn AtIt
not found III anything like the abundance which
exists IN Pennsylvania; III fact when it stands four
or i've feet deep at the bottom the pit is thought to
be q very productive and valuable one. The oil is
not pumped UP, but raised in an iron pot attached
deal OF water is mingled VIVA it, ana the Iuid Is
allowed 10 stand Tor some time, until the oil has
earthen jars, which are carefully closed up and sent
down the river 10 Rangoon In small native boats. AS
IT appears here IN the form OF an article OF
merte, the Oil Is thick and dirty OF slightly green
1sh color, and in smell as offensive as crude petro-
ieun IS generally Lad as 1t Is however, the natives,
both here and III Madras use 1t III Its uuroiued state
Dlrnlng luid. Spectator once tried to make gas
from IL Tor iaugoon ou. from lns inelcent capital
was forced TO abandon the undertaking. One very
curious TACT ABOUT The wells is that they OF a very
high temperature. biologists say thas petro cum
VIII probably be found ali along The valley OF the
Irrawaddy and there Is every prospect OF the
burmese wells becoming as celebrated as those OF
Nenango county whenever oil rises In the market to
price that VIII be remunerative Oi course so long
as The American wells are able to supply the entire
demand OF Europe ana Australia Burmah wells Will
markets. IL is curious, though, To realize that
British capitalists by moderate exertion OF energy
and perseverance, might have reaped thirty years
ago the enormous profits Which attended the first
production OF kerosene.
Rango0n itself Is fast improving, and will prOba-
bly, be the metropolis OF Burnah. Already the trade
oil Maulfaain has sadly declined, While every year
the commerce OF Rangoon increases. This city, how
ever II should be remembered is one OF the oldest
IN the East having been established about SIX cen.
turtles before Christ BY disciple OF Gaudama, the
founder OF the Buddhist religion ana the last incar.
nation OF deity that has appeared, according to The
Burinan iath on the earth. Ii is therefore, very
nearly as old as the city or Rome, aad like Rome 1t
enjoys the prestige OF being q "i0ly City.n Those
VINO visit It, however, In the hope OF seeing moulder-
ing runs and venerable shrne5 viii be greatly dis.
appointed. In the last war the city together win
most Oh the pagodas, was destroyed, and has been
rebuilt on the most approved American principles.
Inc streets arc at right angles and, except the lead
ing thor0ugnlares. are distinguished by numbers,
not names. the European houses are Of the Bunga-
low PATTERN Ind the na6lves live, after the fashion
OF their ancestors, in dwellings, raised on piles some
ieW ieet above the surface OF the earth. The few
Chinese VINO nave settled here live In separate
godowas.
;. Tne one great sight OF Rapgoon Is the shoay do
Goung Pagoda better known among the Europeans
and missionaries by the name OF .Dagon.n This
lasoda y tne largest IN Burma and Is supposed to
possess peculiar sanctity. About twenty or thirty
Thousand pilgrims from all parts OF the country
Visit II at the end OF the rainy season. 1t is built on
an artificial hill some two hundred feet IN height
and several acres III area. Approaching 1t from the
city one has TO go up long covered porch with
here and there flight OF twenty or thirty steps, AT
each side OF this porch and supporting 1t, there Is
double row Oh pillars, some OF when are OF tea (,
painted red, though most are Of brick covered with
chunam, peculiar KIND OF plaster, which dries as
white and smooth and polished as marble. Among
tie pillars are generally TO be found fluctuatiur
quantity OF stalls, which ore vended edIbles OF
various descriptions. together with lunches OF
little candies and long strips OF paper,
attached by thread to thin switch
and covered with q neatly written prayer. These
papers are offered by the Burmese at shrines OF
their gods. and are supposed to answer every end
that could DC attained by verbal SPECIFICATION. Tie
ROOF OF The porch Is IN many parts proiusely deco
rated with Mosaics and ornamental designs. Here
and there, also, one sees carved figure OF Bur-
mese prince, and there are few wall paintings OF
ANIMALS and sDip5 and Burmese celebrities. About
hall way up. on the left hand side, is the most
curious OF these artistic productions. ~ IL pic
toria representation OF the tortures OF he'll ana 49,
perhaps, the only work OF tho KIND III the pagoda
mat mas called forth anything like an artistic feeling.
Inc perspective and drawing DOUBT horribly