Under the auspices of the King steps are being taken for the more satisfactory teaching of the people of Siam, but, I fear, the development of the people will on very, very slowly; the hot climate seems through centuries to have deprived the Siamese of the last atom of energy. The man of the lower classes is utterly lazy and adverse to any labour; if possible he only works as many days as will earn enough food for the remainder of the: month, It is also characteristic that all the jinricsha men in Bangkok are Chinese. The Siame-e want more easy work, Many of the nobles and the officials have got a European education and studied in Exropean universities and colleges, but. returned to Siam they very soon turn back to Siamese customs and make their life quite as easy as their fellow-countrymen, Only 8 few come back with a genuine patriotic feeling and determination to work earnestly' for the progress and development of their country.
Thave never seen a more slavish people than the lower classes of the Siamese when such a Siamese ix allowed to speak to nobleman or official, he prostrates himself on the floor, and on meeting one in the street he bows so deeply that his face is on a level with his knees, and is finished the marriage can take place. The relatives are present in great numbers and the prayers and ceremonies begin early in the morning and continue with intervals the whole day. At nightfall the bride and bridegroom are accompanied by their friends and relatives to their n home, where the last splendid meal i served, after which the guests leave Polygamy is common among the nobles ard the King himself sets his subjects the example; hw has two Queens, termed first and second Queen. The Queens must always be very near relations of the King, his sisters or half-sisters being preferred. But besides the Queens the harem walls enclose several hundred women. His Siamese Majesty has a number of children, T believe, some seventy. Herein he is only following the example set by his ancestors. The country would perhaps possess several thousand princes if court etiquette did not prohibit other than the very nearest relatives of the Kingfrom being considered as princes; the great-grandson of a King is regarded as a mere nobleman, In no other country, Germany perhaps excepted, are titles as numerous as in Siam. Nearly every nobleman and official has a title; the titled ones are always mentioned by their titles and their names. Curiously enough, each time a man is promoted in rank by getting " higher title he also gets a new name, and the man who yesterday was called Luang Rajavouge, is perhaps to-day in. consequence of Royal grace to be called Phra Barkeravonge.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.