, 1882-03-04

he describes IN a dialogue Uu6 CUAN VI
a Buddhist priest. 1t is super1uous, per-
haps, to say that the missionaries carry
with them into Burmah all their sectarian
irregularities, even in an accentuated form,
and they thus neutralize each others infu'
ence. Buddhism itself is a prOselytlzlngi
though a tolerant religion, and the Bur
meSe BuddhiStS have a sincere admiration
for Christianity. One of them recently
offered to contribute literally to the bull
ding of a church for which he lac heard
funds were wanted. This offer was char
acteristic of Burmese tolerance and gener-
osity. The missionary in charge refused
the offer, as he would not receive assis-
lance from a heather. Was this also
characteristic 1t should be added that
his superior officer diSapprOved Of the
narrowness of the missionary.
Explorations for minerals, u as petro-
leum, anthony Sc, are going on in differ
ent parts of Burmah, but up to the present
time the wealth of the province may be
expressed in the word rice, of which the
yearly product is a million tons, employ
ing, with other articles of produce,
100000 tons of shipping, of which
1000, 900 tons, are British. The trade is
not always profitable to those engaged in it.
| suppose | shall not be revealing any
secret in saying that the past season has
been decidedly a losing one. The prOduc-
ton of rice seems for the moment to have
exceeded the worlds requirements, Int low
prices will, doubtless, stimulate the disco
very Of new uses for the grain, and thus
restore the equilibrium of the trade. Pos
Sibly, too, somewhat sounder principles OF
working the business may compensate the
merchants for their present losses. 1t is a
popularity of >Rango0n trade to consist
nearly exclusively Of one article, the ship
ping of which is confined to d compare
lively short season. There is very little
room for Judgment or discrimination as
regards quality, and tile only distinction
one merchant can achieve over another
is to ship a larger quantity. Hence 1T re-
suits that the growers OF rice, who under
other circumstances would be IN a very
weak position, being obliged to sell, man
age to turn the tables on the merchants,
who create for themselves an artificial
necessity of buying. Every shipper of
rice thinks it necessary to provide himself
with steam machinery for cleaning the
paddy, although the milling power" is
already considerably in excess of the
highest possible requirements OF the trade
and mills could be hired for the occasion on
cheaper terms than ownership admits OF.
The mill once erected requires to be kept
going during the season, n thus announcer
necessity for buying paddy is created,
which does not pass unnOted by the native
sellers. Finally, as if to make sure that
nobody shall run any risk In this trade
except himself, the merchant charters SHIPS
and steamers to carry the rice while 1t Is
still growing. When these vessels arrive
at the loading port the necessity Tor
buying cargoe for them becomes absolute,
and the Burmese grower or the middle
mar then has the European merchant
entirely at his mercy. A year of compare
tive adversely may nave it's uses in ena-
bling the Burmah merchants to free them
selves from their selfimposed letters.
The second important article OF Burmah
produce is teak wood, of which 100000
tons are exported in the year $4,000, tons
to India and GA, 900 tons to Europe-chiehy
to England. The approximate value OF
the whole is G1, 0O0, 900 sterling.
One of the most interesting objects in
Burmah, as, indeed, in India generally, is
the gaol. 1t is a sort of centre of c~iviliza-
ton, and [ see it noted in the "Imperial
Gazetteer that in such AND such a place
the only printing press is in the gaol. The
one at Rangoon contains about 1900, and
that at Moulmein 1,200 prisoners. To say
the premises are kept beautifully clean
would be commonplace praise. They are
busy hives of industry. All the prisoners
seem to be trained artifcers, furniture,
wood carving, weaving in fancy patterns,
and ornamental work of various kinds
occupy their time. One shed at MOI mein
is set apart for those who are nerJA Ihs or
c,,lsoa4 10 1JWInohaC rhorotfhQVA IN WORK