Morning journal and courier., 1884-04-12

I spect also it stands nearly alone among the colonies of the East. The citizens are anbl- ] tious, but one can easily pardon such rare fault in these parts 1 took occasion yester- day te remark maiciously to an enthusiastic resident ''It seems sad that Rangoon is entering, as so many of these European set dement's have dope upon state of prema- ture decline, and will soon join the innumer- able caravan of municipal Sleepy Hollows." He gave me such look that I promptly laid testing aside and observed: Really, sup pose you regard your city in the light of a rival of Calcutta" But 10 the second of fense was greater than the first for he re-
 torted scornfully, "We do not think of com pairing our prospects with those of Calcut- ta !" The streets of the city conspicu- ously broad, and there is an abundance of shade trees on either side, commemorating
 the public spirit of the far-seeing European citizens of about a third of a century ago.
 The architecture is modest, bu6 more ad-
 Vanced than had been led to expect The climate is fatal to imposing architecture.
 There is good waterworks system, bring ing water from a place five miles distant,
 which has just been completed after two years' labor. There are no gas works, but
 when inquired as to the reason of this
 I was told that the people had ''about decide d to go in for the electric light" Good coal oil has recently been discovered near Ran goon.
 One thing which seems to stand in the way of the city's prosperity is the refusal of the State to sell land. The land is held by the government, which is tributary to the Indian government, and lots are leased to residents
 The prosperity of the town has been promo ted by the construction of two railroads one to Prone, 136 miles t'up country" and the other to Toungee, about the same distance, though at present operated only about half
 way. These railroads are immensely remun- erative, and belonging to the government, go by the name of the Burmah State railroad.
 Burmah is a country devoid of cart roads, and the people have taken kindly to the rail
 roads. The building of railroads is heavy expense at first here, owing to the fact that he ties or sleepers have to be of iron-wood, in order that they may resist the attacks of the white ants The State finds it's treasury depleted now, so that for 8 few years there
 Rill probably be pause in the work of con- struction but I am exhibiting no over Rhelming amount of diseernment when I prophecy that another decade Will see an extensive railroad system in British Burmah, perhaps tapping even the Maudaiay country
 Ponies raised here and at MouImein, aud are being sent south at this season of the year for gharry service in the colonies You cannot get one for shilling, as you can in
 Australia; but 1t is possible to get one for four or five dollars. I should not care to endorse the animal that you might get for this sun, but can testify that it would be something in the line of horsefissh.
 Ths subject of the acquisition of more territory is one which periodically receives the attention of the people here. Nothing could contribute more to the already assured prosperity of this city but the policy of the party now in power is such that there is little hope of speedy action The British are grooming F'No more colonies" without refer snce to the revenue which might accrue from any acquisition of land The soldiers are here to do the work at any moment. There is very respectable forcs in British Bur nah, distributed for the most part along the frontier; and the railroad service renders 1t possible to mass these troops on short notice Let two three of the Irrawaddy FlotiJIa co Dpany's steamers be chartered for ascend Ing the river to Mandeias, and let half doz. en shells then be thrown over into the city and the result is easily forecast. EMILE.