The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

440 REVIEWS
widely known Burney Papers, these sources include Burney's other
journals, his academic articles and the East India Company's official
documents throughout the period.
The documents clearly show bow
Burney's judgement on individual conflicts or crises developed, and how
he, as an agent of British interests and with his wit and self-confidence,
came to his solutions.
Company's policies are well represented.
Burney's character, his grasp of local affairs and
Unfortunately, however, this book is seen from Burney's side and
that of the British.
Professor Hall makes little effort to arrive at a well
balanced presentation of history. Few substantial parts could be claimed
that Swmese and Burmese reactwns toward Burney's mission in
particular and British sanction in their affairs in general have been
treated with equal impartialtty. This, in addition to Professor Hall's
prejudice against local chronicles, obviously arises from the fact that
local historical sources regarding this period are very poor.
Reading this biography is not without its disappointments.
Professor Hall's rather conventional approach to and style of writing
history makes the book somewhat boring to read. Dealing with details
seems to be his great pleasur~. He also prefers the technique of"let the
document speak for itself", as one might have sensed throughout the
book. In too many cases, what he quotes from Burney's journals or
other official documents unnecessarily runs to several paragraphs.
The organization of this biography is clear enough. There is but
one thing that seems unlikely to be justified. Apparently, be wants to
maintain the balance between Burney's two separate diplomatic careersthat
with Siam (Parts One and Two) on the one hand, and that with
Burma (Part Three) on the other. Perhaps, Professor Hall has his
specific reasons in balancing these two accounts. But one could hardly
be convinced that Burney's career as Resident at Ava for 8 years, is less
complicated and less substantial than his mission to Siam.
More seriously, this biography fails in defending Burney as one who
played a markedly important part in the histories of two South.East
Asian kingdom. Students who want to learn more about the impact of