1839.] on the Tenasserim Provinces, fyc. 995 



arbitrary, too often not conducing to their happiness, and frequently 

 contrary to their interest. The Burmese accustomed to tyranny, 

 never questioned the right of imposing whatever laws their superiors 

 thought proper, but they opposed them when they had the power, and 

 evaded them when they had the opportunity. 



The love of country in the Burmese, is based much more upon 

 natural, than moral ties. It is the face of the country, the manner of 

 living, the similarity of occupations which ties the Burmese. As far as 

 his language is spoken, and the face of the country is the same or simi- 

 lar, this is his country. From the banks of the Tenasserim to the 

 mountains above Ava, forming the Chinese frontier, a Burmese is at 

 home, and would be so in Cochin China could he make himself under- 

 stood. The moral ties, the recollections of his youth, his parents, his 

 wife, his children, do not so much rivet him to the spot, as the ties 

 above mentioned. Hence a Burmese is easily induced to exchange 

 his sojourn in Mergui for a better livelihood in Maulmaim or Ran- 

 goon, but a Burmese will never be found to expatriate into Hindoostan 

 Proper, and very few are to be met with in Penang. 



Common Interest. — The common interest which an assemblage of 

 communities exercises, has little weight in the eyes of a Burmese. 

 He prefers the British countries, because they are safer; but sup- 

 posing an equal guarantee were held out to him in Pegu or Ava, he 

 would scarcely settle there as in the Tenasserim provinces. 



Fame, fortune, and power, cannot be appreciated by the natives 

 of these countries otherwise than as they contribute to their bodily 

 welfare. To consider them as the means of accession to moral ends, 

 would appear ridiculous to the Burmese. The above passions had 

 amongst the Burmese, a much wider field for development under 

 their own government, than under the British. The wish to become 

 illustrious seems at present to be nearly stagnant, they perceive that 

 the Europeans are mentally their superiors ; that the power wrested 

 from them, is entrusted entirely to the former; and they know 

 that they have to develop their talents only in the functions of 

 native magistrates. 



Desire after fortune is innate in every human breast, but it is less 

 inordinate in the Burmese, simply on account of not knowing how to 

 employ it; for fame and power, cannot be longer bought with fortune. 

 It formerly rendered a Burmese famous, to employ his fortune in 

 building pagodas and endowing khiaungo, or monasteries. The people 

 emulated the prince and the ministers, who expended immense suras 

 in this way. The British government has nothing to do with the 



