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BIRMAH. 121
rites and festivals, totally disregarded by the Birmans,
who have no inclination to make proselytes. The
Birmans never trouble themselves about the religious
opinion of any sect, nor disturb their ritual ceremonies,
provided they do not break the peace, or
intermeddle with their own divinity Guadma."
Nature has bestowed on Rangoon every facility and
advantage calculated to render it a flourishing and
highly important commercial place ; and from its
position, in skilful hands, it would soon attract the
richest commerce of these highly-gifted regions, and
become an entrep6t for India.
The imports from the British settlements consist
chiefly of coarse piece goods, glass, hardware, and
broad cloth;
teak timber,
the returns are almost wholly in the
A considerable traffic also is carried on
by boats, which are fitted out annually as well from
Rangoon, as from various ports on the great river
Irrawaddy, and which proceed by way of the Bassien
river, through the channels which divide Cape Negrais
from the Continent, to Luckipore and the Dacca provinces,
and through the whole course of the Brahma-
pootra. These boats carry in general from 1000 to 1,500
mounds (of 80 Ibs. each), with a crew of from twenty
to twenty-five men. Each boat is supposed to contain,
on an average, the value of 4000 rupees, the greater
part in bullion : the remainder consists of sheathing
boards, sticks of copper from China, stick lac, cutch,
ivory, and wax. The indirect trade of China through
Arracan, as well as from Rangoon, has of late years
experienced an increase. In fact, from its geographical
position, the commerce of Rangoon must become very
productive and important.
The facilities of the harbour being so great, and the
teak forests of Henzawuddy almost inexhaustible,