288 Literary Intelligence, Sfe. [No. 3 



for the advancement of civilization and Christianity, we should assist 

 to raise this country, while it has a ruler willing, nay anxious to 

 avail himself of every aid he can ohtain to that end. The present 

 king would rather get cotton grown, iron smelted, pottery made, and 

 produce of all kinds exported, than get fresh muskets or cannon 

 when he knows he can't afford to load them. The muskets he has, 

 he lets remain rusty and uncleaned. In the scientific or natural 

 history way I have been able to do nothing. The Maguee 

 Minggyee promised to lend me every assistance, i. e., leave 

 to collect in getting Burman specimens, but wished me to write 

 to Calcutta and get some foreign trees and plants for the king's 

 garden ; His Majesty too asked me to get him some shrubs and trees 

 or seeds of them, to plant in his " botanical garden," where he pur- 

 poses to collect all the plants of the world ! ! Some flower-seented 

 flower seeds and flowering shrub seeds he much wishes. The Shan 

 hills, I think might prove favorable to the quinine tree. I discover- 

 ed the real cinnamon tree in abundance there, with bark of apparent- 

 ly prime quality. If any cinchona or quinine tree seeds are procur- 

 able in Calcutta may I ask the favour of a few being sent to me by 

 post ? 



Manclaley, February 12th, 1862. 



Tour kind note of December 14th I received four days ago. 



In my last I said I hoped to be able to send you the account o f 

 my trip to the Shan hills, and of my being about to start immediately 

 for Bamo. I have been so busy lately that I have not had time to 

 write out my notes of this trip. My trip to Bamo is very indefinitely 

 postponed. The Court of the great king, Lord of countless umbrellas, 

 is a little disturbed with doubts of my being really a harmless 

 " teacher officer," or a disguised powder barrel. The Golden Face is 

 in fact dim towards me. I have not seen it for nearly a fortnight, and 

 of course, am devoured with grief ! It is very likely, however, the 

 sun will shine again soon, especially if Colonel Phayre sends a 

 pleasant message to them, or I get something to present to His 

 Majesty's garden by the Steamer. 



Further than Bamo, I would not think of attempting and am quite 

 certain I should get no one to accompany me. 



