1862.] TJterary Intelligence, Sfc. 2S5 



should have been on my way towards Bamo, long ere this. The 

 chief " Inner" minister, a personal friend of the king, and having 

 authority over the Bamo district, has told me that there would be 

 no objection to my going to Bamo. The Maguee Minggyee, how- 

 ever, who is the virtual Prime minister and whose " veto" is sufficient 

 to prevent any step being taken, has heard of the English wanting 

 to send an expedition to Bamo and will say nothing about it, till he 

 is furnished with the particulars of the " personnel," as well as objects 

 of the said expedition. He is also offended by an article in the 

 Rangoon papers, which preceded my arrival here. 



I have to send you by the next mail an account of a trip to the 

 Shan hills to the Eastward of this ; I went up among these mountains 

 to see some tea plantations the king wants to work, in order to 

 know how best to recommend His Majesty to proceed. I had never 

 seen a tea plant in rny life before (!) I must tell you ; but the idea gave 

 me a very pleasant trip with every advantage of safety and comfort 

 and a week's mountain air and exercise. Although a special guide, 

 the Governor of the district, and about thirty men accompanied me, 

 I had no opportunity of transporting either plants or rocks, and the 

 spoil was therefore trifling. The king insisted on my recommending 

 what course to pursue in order to get tea fit for European markets 

 from these old plantations. I advised that a superintendent be ob- 

 tained from Calcutta with a few natives to manufacture tea, and 

 another to form fresh plantations. He enquired the cost and salaries, 

 &c., and on my preparing a rough estimate, His Majesty recmested 

 me to get the men here, offering to give the money first into my 

 hands if I wished. I have acceded to their real wish, however, and 

 advance the money myself leaving a copy of the contract by which 

 the Burmese Government on one side and the workmen on the 

 other, will be bound, in the hands of the " Inner minister." 



I write to Grindlay and Co. by this opportunity to endeavour to 

 get these people. There is no reason against the encouragement of 

 Burman tea growing ; if they do their utmost they can grow but a few 

 thousand pounds, and this utmost they will not do. If the tea fields 

 do become productive, all the better for us, both ultimately, and in 

 the meanwhile, that it is by English aid, the advantage is gained. 



His Majesty has asked me about several other industrial enter- 

 prises. Among other things he wants to increase and encourage 



