Mandalay, the present capital of Burmah, has probably by this
time ceased to exist. Two-thirds of it were burned on Wednesday and Thursday, and there are signs of further fires. Nothing is said of the origin of the fires, but it can hardly be doubted that they were due to in- cendiaries, aggrieved either by British rule, or more pro- bably by decisions in the Law Courts. The city, which is built of wood, is not of much importance, and the capital should be transferred to Ava, with strict regulations against the use of wood, and with drainage completed before building begins. The Government, too, should expropriate the land around, now almost valueless, so that the future Municipality may have a revenue independent of taxation. We have hitherto displayed little foresight in the construction of Indian cities, and no originality whatever ; but the selection of a new capital for Burmah, which ought by-and-by, when the railway to Bengal is completed, to be unusually rich, gives us a brilliant opportunity. It will not be taken, we fear, because nobody in India reigns long enough to care about the future ; but still, there is the chance.
