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PART 2: An Author Life
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I.
CECIL John Richards (C.J.Richards) went back to England in 1947 after I. C. S (Burma) was dissolved from service. This was also a chance to live again with his wife and sons to lead a peaceful family life.
He chose a place in Swarraton in Hampshire where the surroundings were peaceful and quiet and its environs reminded him of Burma and its people. Swarraton is a small village in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England. It lies three miles (5 km) from New Alresford. Its nearest railway station is in New Alresford, on the Mid-Hants section of the London and South Western Railway.
The locality of the place was much suited to him because he could also visit his old colleagues and friends who served in Burma as I.C.S and they would meet regularly on weekends to relate their old days in Burma.
He had lived in Burma for over three decades and served well up to D. C (District Commissioner), starting from a settleme
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An English Writer II.
1920-21, RangoonEveryone on Bibby Liner became agitated when the ship was entering the channel of Rangoon River. They felt less worried after passing the famous, dangerous reef at the mouth of the river. The channel became less perilous after Captain Frazer planned to build the lighthouse at the point chosen by Scottish Light House Engineer who happened to be the uncle of famous author Robert Louis Stevenson.Also, Cecil was excited so that he closed the book he was reading. His excitement became more intense when he beheld the golden spire from the starboard of the ship he was in. He knew that in a few hours, he would be arriving in Rangoon. He saw other passengers standing very near to the rail, looking ahead of them.Some white handkerchief dropped from someone’s hands and was flipping across by the wind until it finally landed onto the surface of the water. Cecil was looking after it and his eyes went down to the water
An English Writer III.
C.J.R in ToungooCecil went to Toungoo (formerly named Dinnyawadi) by train to take training for I.C.S for a year. During the training, he needed to learn Judicial, General, Revenue, Land Records, Treasury, and Registration as the other I.C.S candidates did.Cecil knew that these subjects were very important to run the country’s administration. He paid much attention to them. At university, Cecil was weak in Mathematics. But, he was trying to do well in each subject.Toungoo lies on the right bank of the Sittaung river, and it is about two miles above the mouth of its tributary the Kabaung, in north latitude 18º 56´and east longitude 96º 27´.Toungoo district was formed in 1855 on the effective occupation of the province and was administered by a Deputy Commissioner, subordinate to the Commissioner whose headquarters were at Rangoon. For administration, it is divided into three subdivisions _ Toungoo,
An English Writer IV.
C.J.R in AmherstAfter the training for I.C.S in Taungoo, Cecil was posted to Amherst where Talaings or Mon lived. His intimate friends in Taungoo were happy to know the news of his posting because it was a good place to live and Cecil had a chance to apply his knowledge about administration which he had learnt from the training course.They held a good farewell party before he left for Moulemein. Some teased him that he would find his soul mate there. Some encouraged him to try the local foods and fruits such as durian and rambutan.One of his friends explained to him why the city had got the name, ‘‘Moulemein.’’His friend elucidated, ‘‘In terms of their language, ‘‘Moulemein’’ is a combination of two words ‘‘Moot’’ ‘‘Mwel Lain’’ which means having one eye.’’‘‘So the city gives the meaning ‘&
An English Writer V.
C.J.R in Hanzada, as Settlement OfficerCecil was informed to take a post in Settlement in Hezada because there was a vacant position for it. Cecil prepared to leave Amherst, and took a boat to Rangoon afterward. Cecil spent a few days in Rangoon.He liked to visit Cindy when he was in Rangoon, but he could not meet her because she was away in London for pursuing her education. So, Cecil spent time meeting old friends, loitering Pegu Clubs, and social gatherings. He also liked to buy goods at the famous Rowe Departmental Store on Barr Street.When he wanted to read new periodicals from England, he went to Smart and Mookerdan Book Store on Sule Pagoda Road. One day, Cecil and his friend James dined at Silver Grill Restaurant which was owned by an Armenian rich man. His friend told him the news of the city Rangoon, and the prospect of it in the future.The next day, Cecil went to the boat ticket center on Phyare Street where the Ir
An English Writer VI.
How Cecil shot snipesCecil remembered how he shot snipes in Kan Thar Yar village in Henzada District when he was a Settlement Officer. He normally visited the village with his D.C Mr. Morrison whenever D.C toured a series of villages for revenues and settlement purposes.Cecil came to be acquainted with Thugyi (village headman) U Thar Aung because sometimes he stayed overnight at Thugyi’s house for settlement works. During their conversation, Cecil found out about the best snipe ground in the rice fields near the village.Cecil was excited to go for shooting because he liked to do it as his pastime. He also got a gun for that from D.C too. He thought that when the time was convenient and if the things would be settled with the Thugyi, he would come for the shooting.The Thugyi invited Cecil to come to their village for snipe shooting on a certain Saturday. Cecil chose one Saturday and went out to Kan Thar Yar vill
An English Writer VII.
1930, a break from BurmaCecil went back to England to find a suitable bride for him when his age was 30 years old. He did not want to leave Burma because he found the place was agreeable and livable. He also made good friends with local Burmans who showed him much cordiality.In fact, at that time, any I.C.S officers would normally get married at the age of thirty, but not earlier than that. So, they needed to wait until they reach 30 years old. It was a headache for any grown-up British men who worked abroad to find wives. Some married local women, but they wanted their wives to be decent British ladies.For Cecil, he thought that he would marry a British woman who would be gentle and educated. And the probable solution was to go back to the U.K to choose a suitable wife back home.When he reached the U.K, he luckily found one bride named Cynthia whom he dearly married. He thought that she would be a suitable life partner
An English Writer VIII.
1936, C.J.R in Katha (Myogalay)Cecil remembered his days in Katha as DC, in Upper Burma. He had lots of Burmese friends there. In Katha, as for a European, there were not many things to do. In the morning, office work or routine check-in at nearby villages would be assisted and accompanied by ywar-thu-gyis (village headmen).In the evening, they could relax and enjoy their life in the village creek, where they could bathe, and swim. After that, they could enjoy evening times at the local club, which was only meant for Europeans.After that, his Burmese men would prepare food for him. In that way, he spent his time in Katha.Two Flashback Incidents Happened in Rangoon1940, November, Sule Pagoda RoadCecil was driving his jeep along Sule Pagoda Road, but he was not driving it fast as much as it could go. As usual, the road was busy with rickshaw–wall
An English Writer IX.
1941, The Last Supper at Myogale or Katha before Leaving for India Cecil also remembered Civil Station, the dak bungalow in Myogale. In it, the Deputy Commissioner’s house lied at the curving road past the railway station. Cecil lived there for five years. Actually, he had first come here fifteen years before. From the upstairs verandah of the house, the courthouse buildings could be seen red roofs, red-brown roads, and dusty roadside trees, flamboyant scarlet Marion. The wife of the District and Session Judge was Marion Simpson, who was thought to be the queen of Myogale Civil Station. There were also two dozen houses of European colony. On that March evening, the magenta of a bush of bougainvillea was seen in the corner of the tennis courts. Sheila Summers, wife of one of Deputy Conservators of Forests, and Henry Simpson, District and Session Judge were among the people at that evening. The club butler was Moses. E
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2019, March, Yangon With panting and perspiring, Lin woke up suddenly after having dreamt a bad dream. The room was dark and so, he was trying to fumble a jar of water and a cup beside his bed to cool him down. He found the jar and poured water into the cup and drank it after turning on the light bulb. Soon, he felt at ease. When he watched the clock, it said half-past one.He was fully awake and he knew that sleep would not come easily to him in this situation. He did not also want to lie down on the bed again. He stood up from the bed and walked outside. He tiptoed out of his room because he did not want to disturb his uncle’s sleep. When he was out of the house, Lin inhaled fresh air fully.He walked to and fro in front of the house for a while before he sat down on a charpoy under a mango tree. He was looking up at the night sky and found a crescent moon and several stars. Apparently, they were looking down at him. The who
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2019, March, a literary event at Pansodan Scene, Yangon On Saturday, a week away from Valentines’ Day, Eli called Lin to come down to Pansodan Scene for a literary event and she thought that it would interest Lin. Lin reached Pansodan Scene at around 11 to attend the literary event.At first, he did not know what the event was. Later, when he entered the room, he saw “James Joyce’s event” organized by an Irish poet who lived in Yangon. When Eli saw Lin, she called him to sit beside her on a bench.Lin readily joined Eli who introduced him to the Irish poet who was also M.C of the event and the organizer of the event. The Irish poet extended his hand to Lin who shook his hands with him.Soon, the event opened and Lin saw some writers including Myanmar writers and foreign writers who would read some extracts from James Joyce’s works. For Lin, James Joyce's Dubliners always inspired Him. He really envied his li
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2019, February, a literary walk, downtown YangonLin thought that on Sunday, he should take a literary walk in downtown Yangon. It was a part of his future plan because he would begin a literary walk around downtown. He needed to know some spots that were related to literary history and themes He discussed his plan with his uncle who told him that it was a good idea and encouraged him to do it pronto.. . .On Sunday, Lin left his house for downtown. While he was walking in the downtown streets, he asked this question, as for a Yangonite, what would be the best thing he or she could expect in a city like Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, apart from its burgeoning gorgeous restaurants, and splendid bars.Apparently, Yangon was never devoid of the fun and excitement any city dweller was looking for. In the downtown area, there were several colonial buildings that still maintained their grandeur and significance to visitors and vie
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2019, February, Valentines’ Day, YangonLin would meet Eli on Valentines’ Day and Eli was quite happy about it. So, she exclaimed, “Valentine’s Day!” What thrilling word for me. Eli thought. She knew that this year Valentine’s Day would be really special for her because Lin and she became a couple, a month ago.It was such a happiness she felt when they found out they loved each other, especially reading his poem. She thought that one of the most blessed moments of their life was loving and understanding each other.She knew that Lin would love her sincerely because he must have spent much time to write a poem to court her. Every time, they met, he showed much care about her. Not a single time, he missed that task of taking care of her.Eli noticed that Lin all the time glanced at her whenever they met but he never came too close, and he kept his own distance. At first, he seemed a little bit far from h
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2019, January, A Talk on Foreign Writers, Freelance Writer’s Club, YangonIt had been two days since Lin arrived back in Yangon from Mandalay's trip. When he went to the journal office, Editor John told him that there would be a literary talk organized by Freelance Writer’s Club.Editor John asked Lin whether Lin wanted to take part in it or not. If he was willing to participate, John could arrange for that. It would start on coming Saturday. Lin thought for a while and he agreed to take part in it. He told John that he would talk about foreign writers who ever visited Yangon (then known as Rangoon).John agreed that and he asked Lin to prepare a PowerPoint presentation. Lin counted the days and learned that it was five days away. When he left the office, he called Eli to come down to FWC on coming Saturday at about 10 am and he invited Oo and Pan Che to attend.. . .When Lin got back home, he took out some books
An English Writer Part 5: On the Path to Establisment
2019, January, A Trip to MandalayIn the first week of January, Lin’s uncle U Thein Lwin told Lin that he would go to Mandalay and he would like Lin to accompany him. They would go there by train. Lin called Eli and Oo that he would go on a trip to Mandalay on the second week of January and he would be back in three or four days.He told them that he would bring Htoe Mote (a kind of Myanmar delicacy) and Lapet (picked tea leaves) for them as souvenirs. Eli said Lin should take care of his health and she would come to see him off at the train station. Later, Lin called his editor John and explained to him that he would also visit some interesting places in Mandalay and he would contribute some stories of them to the journal after his trip. His editor agreed and so, Lin felt quite happy.. . .On the day when Lin left for Mandalay, at the train station, Eli arrived and saw him off. His uncle U Thein Lwin asked him wh
An English Writer Chapter-17
2018, December, New Year’s Eve, YangonOn the cab, Eli was thinking about Lin who gave her a poem on Christmas Night. She looked around to see Lin who was standing and waving at her at the corner. On the way home, she was so excited that she did not remember the time when she got home.On that night, she could not sleep well after reading the poem. It was so well-written and it could express the real feeling of Lin towards her. She was reflecting when she got firstly met Lin. Pan Che introduced her to Lin who was energetic and hard-working.She also liked his style and his relentless endeavor. She read the poem again and again until her eyes seemed droopy and finally, she slept. In the dream, she saw Lin who smiled down at him while he was extending his hand that she grasped.Soon, they were in a park, all beautiful flowers around them with butterflies flapping their colorful wings while both of them were enjoying the sceneries. At
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2018, December, downtown YangonLast night, when he came back from the classical music concert at Chatrium Hotel, Lin could not sleep well because he was thinking about Eli. He thought that he had fallen in love with her. But, he could not reveal his real feelings to her because he thought that their friendship could be ruined if he disclosed his feeling towards her.He was rolling over the bed, sighing several times. He thought that he should talk it with Oo who would be back in Yangon tomorrow after their honeymoon trip. He wondered what Oo would say about that. He felt a little bit worried because if things went wrong, he could lose friends.Finally, an idea entered his head and he sat upon his bed before he went over to his table. He picked up a pen and wrote a poem. He felt that his feelings were dripping into the tip of the pen. It took nearly half an hour to finish the poem that he intended to give Eli.He felt satisfied now. At ab
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2018, December, Chatrium Hotel, YangonLin was longing to meet his friend Oo and Pan Che who would be back on the morning of Christmas Day. When he called them, they said that they were now in Dawei and they would take tomorrow’s morning flight to fly back to Yangon.These days he had several assignments and appointments because the editor John told him that their media company would publish a weekly journal soon. He was happy for being busy but he thought that he would have less time to meet friends.At that time, a phone call came in and he picked up to hear Eli’s voice. Eli said, “Lin, it’s Eli. Are you free this evening around 7 p.m? I would like to go to a classical music concert at Chatrium Hotel. Can you accompany me there?”When Eli called, Lin was sitting at his writing desk and he was about to finish his last article on contemporary Myanmar art. He quickly replied, “Sure, Eli. I am free this e
