1004 Dr. Heifer's Third Report [Dec. 



There are three schools established; however, they are more for the be- 

 nefit of country-born and Portuguese than for Burmese. The Bur- 

 mese are not averse to learning European arts and sciences, on the con- 

 trary they have a predilection for every thing European, the whole na- 

 tion being convinced, that Europeans are superior to them in every 

 respect. 



If means and inducements were diffused to learn the English lan- 

 guage, it would form the first important step to the mental improve- 

 ment of the Burmese; for with the introduction of this language, Eng- 

 lish sentiments are easily instilled. The establishment of well regulated 

 schools upon these principles would be a great boon, especially if the 

 distinguished pupils, were rewarded with minor places under govern- 

 ment. 



It would have, besides, the great advantage of rendering the people 

 more attached to their foreign rulers, and acquainted with English 

 ways and customs, of which they are at present entirely ignorant. 



The present form of government is too new, too strange to them; 

 the relations between the British and the natives, too few, and too 

 distant to expect, that sympathies should at present exist, or attach- 

 ments be formed. 



Though the British government all over India is well established, 

 and is preferred, because decidedly better than any other formerly 

 existing, yet the governing and managing Englishmen, personally, 

 though in many instances highly esteemed, are not always liked, and 

 very rarely beloved, because they are in most cases to the natives a 

 strange enigma. 



Value of the Tenasserim provinces as a part of India. — In the 

 first years of their occupation, the question was raised, whether it 

 would not be more advantageous' to restore them to Burmah; and 

 when this was abandoned, because deemed impolitic, they were kept 

 as a necessary burden, the expense annually exceeding the revenue 

 derived from them. 



Their possession, however, is valuable in a political point of view, 

 besides, containing the elements of great wealth and riches, which want 

 only development, to become pre-eminently conspicuous. 



1. They command a great part of the eastern side of the bay of 

 Bengal, which bay became, since the occupation of Tenasserim, a 

 British sea, excluding any other power, and affording additional 

 security to the rest of the Indian possessions. 



2. They prove an advantageous position towards Burmah itself, 



