Burmah and the Burmese

This mid‑nineteenth‑century volume offers a detailed portrait of the land and people of Burmah as seen through the eyes of a British observer. It begins with a geographical survey, describing the rivers, teak forests, and mineral resources that make the region both alluring and strategically valuable. The author then moves to everyday life, noting the Burmese’s industrious habits, moral customs, and the distinctive social structures that set them apart.

Interwoven with this ethnographic sketch are the author's reflections on the ongoing conflict and the broader question of British involvement in the region. He critiques both the despotic rule of the Burmese king and the missionary enterprises that, in his view, may cause more harm than good. The work closes by weighing two possible futures for Burmah: an autonomous kingdom under British protection or full annexation into the Anglo‑Indian empire.