The course of events in Siam does not yet run smoothly, and there has been some little excitement' and speculation here in sequence of various reports and rumours which got into circulation early in the week. It was gravely reported on Tuesday that France had annexed " slip of Burma, that the men-of-war in port had been ordered to Siam, and that the Empress of India was to take on board the guns and equipments necessary to transform her into cruiser, This Intter statement was quickly falsified by the Canadian leaving next morning on her usual return trip to Vancouver, but the cruiser Severn and gunboat Pigmy were despatched on Wednesday morning for Bangkok, nnd the Archer, which arrived yesterday from Foochow, was ordered to conl and take in stores at once and get ready to follow them. Early thie morning the flagship Zmpéiense was passed just outside next the Niue Pins by an incoming steamer and is believed to have yone down under full steam to Bungkok. Cleurly, whatever the hitch in the negotiations may be, the British authorities do not intend to be caught napping. 1 donot know for certain, but believe it probable that the three Chinese men-of-wae lately in port have also gone south to watch "Ver Chinese interests in Siam, The gunboat Rattler arrived here thie morning frum your port and Amoy,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.