A description of the Burmese Empire / compiled chiefly from native documents by the Revnd. Father Sangermano and tr. from his ms. by William Tandy ; with a preface and note by John Jardine.

  • Sangermano, Vincenzo, Padre, 1758-1819.
Date:
1833. Reprinted at the Government Press, Rangoon, 1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A description of the Burmese Empire / compiled chiefly from native documents by the Revnd. Father Sangermano and tr. from his ms. by William Tandy ; with a preface and note by John Jardine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    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 Kangoon, whence he proceeded directly to the city of Ava. But shortly after he was remanded to Eangoon, which was the scene of his future mission- ary labours. The cause of Christianity was greatly forwarded in this place by his exertions. He completed the church of St. John, which had been begun before him, as well as the college of the missionaries ; both of which were built of brick. He superintend- ed the college as long as he remained there; and under his direc- tion it was very prosperous. It contained fifty students, who were instructed in several branches of learning and science; so that besides some ecclesiastics, it has produced skilful engineers, phy- sicians and even pilots. There is at present a young Burmese practising as a surgeon in Eome, who received his education in this institution. F. Sangermano was greatly esteemed by the natives of Eangoon : in particular the Viceroy and his consort honoured him with many marks of distinction. The latter would often come to his church to be present at the Catholic ceremonies, especially those of Holy- week ; and sometimes she would pay a visit to the superior in his College, and hold long conferences with him on religion; so that it was thought that she would become a Christian. On these occa- sions she always came with her guards and her whole court. Her guards remained in the square opposite the college, but the rest of her suit entered with her. F. Sangermano was also well known to the foreigners who fre- quented Eangoon, particularly to the English. From one of the latter he had a commission to make a chart of the port of Eangoon, which he executed with so much ability, as to receive a pension