PREFACE.
The following work was drawn up by F. Sangermano, partly during his l’esidence 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 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 superintended the college as long as he remained there; and under his direction 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, physicians and even pilots. There is at present a young Burmese practising as a surgeon in Rome, who received his education in this institution.
F. Sangermano was greatly esteemed by the natives of Rangoon: in particular the Viceroy and his consort honoured him with many marks
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