"The following work was drawn up by F. Sangermano, partly during his residence as a missionary in Ava, and partly after his return to Europe. He was sent out as a missioner in 1782, and in the July of the following year arrived at Rangoon, whence he proceeded directly to the city of Ava. But shortly after he was remanded to Rangoon, which was the scene of his future missionary labours....The following note found among F. Sangermano?s papers, after the work was partly translated, indicates the original documents he has principally followed. "1. The Burmese cosmography has been extracted almost entirely from a book expressly composed for the elder brother of the reigning monarch, by a Zarado or master of the Emperor, wherein he succinctly describes the system of the world, as taught by Godama, according to the expositions and opinions of the most celebrated Burmese Doctors. 2. All that is related of the ancient Burmese monarchs, and of the foundation and subsequent history of this kingdom, has been faithfully copied from the Maharazaven, that is, the great history of the kings. 3. In what I have said of the superstitions, astrology, religion, constitutions of the Talapoins, and the sermons of Godama, I have not followed the tales and reports of the common people, but have carefully consulted the classical writings of the Burmese, known by the name of Kiam......PREFACE: Description of the Burmese Empire . 1 Burmese cosmography. CHAP. I. Of the measures and divisions of time commonly used in the sacred Burmese books�. CHAP. II. Of the world and its parts� CHAP. III. Of the beings that live in this world; of their felicity or misery, and of the duration of their life..... CHAP. IV. Of the states of punishment..... CHAP. V. Of the destruction and reproduction of the world�CHAP. VI. Of the inhabitants of the Burmese Empire � BURMESE HISTORY: CHAP. VII. Origin of the Burmese nation and monarchy� CHAP. VIII. Abridgement of the Burmese annals, called Maharasaven�. CHAP. IX. Of the present royal family, and of the principal events that have taken place under the reigning dynasty�CONSTITUTION OF THE BURMESE EMPIRE: CHAP. X. Of the Emperor, and of his white elephants..... CHAP. XI. Officers of state and of the household, tribunals, and administration of justice.... CHAP. XII. Revenues and taxes� CHAP. XIII. Army and military discipline� RELIGION OF THE BURMESE: CHAP. XIV. The laws of Godama� CHAP. XV. Of the Talapoin� CHAP. XVI. The Sermons of Godama� CHAP. XVH. Superstitions of the Burmese� MORAL AND PHYSICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE RURMESE EMPIRE: CHAP. XVIII. Character of the Burmese� CHAP. XIX. Manners and customs of the Burmese .... CHAP. XX. Literature and Sciences of the Burmese ... CHAP. XXI. Natural productions of the Burmese Empire� CHAP. XXII. Calendar of the Burmese. Climate and Seasons of the Burmese Empire� CHAP. XXIII. Of the currency and commerce of the Burmese Empire�BURMESE CODE. CHAP. XXIV. Abstract of the Burmese Code entitled Da-masat, or the golden rule......N.B. THE GOOGLE NOTE, PAGES AND COVERS PRECEEDING THE TITLE PAGE HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE END OF THE TEXT. FOR ORIGINAL ORDER, SEE THE ALTERNATE URL.