# The History of Japan (Kaempfer)/Volume 1/Book 1/Chapter 2

Chap. II.
Preſent ſtate of the Court of Siam.The Kingdom of Siam is the moſt powerful, and its Court the moſt magnificent among all the black Nations of Aſia. The preſent Tſiauſa, or Sovereign, is Petraatia, who upon the Death of his Predeceſſor Pro Narces Naray e pintſiau ſeiz’d the Scepter by cruelly extirpating all thoſe, which had a better right to the Succeſſion. He had the greater power to effect this, as he was Captain General in the late King’s lifetime, who beſides had entruſted him with the chief adminiſtration of the Kingdom during his long ſickneſs, which at laſt, tho’ he was not without hopes of recovery, prov’d incurable. The diſcovery of a Conſpiracy form’d by a Miniſter of State, whoſe name was Conſtantin Faulcon, againſt the next heirs to the Crown, and their friends, furniſh’d him with a fair opportunity of compaſſing his ends. I will in a few words relate the Hiſtory of this Conſpirator, and the particulars of the Conſpiracy it ſelf.
Hiſtory of Conſtantin Faulcon.Faulcon, (or as he ſign’d himſelf, Phaulkon,) was a Grecian by birth, a Man of a great underſtanding, of an agreeable aſpect, and an eloquent Tongue, notwithſtanding he was brought up to no learning, and had paſs’d his younger years moſtly at Sea among different nations, particularly the Engliſh, whoſe Languages he had learnt. His riſe.Being in the ſervice of the latter in quality of Cockſwain, he came to Siam, and obtain’d an employment at Court. His natural parts, ready apprehenſion and good ſucceſs in affairs entruſted with him, which were firſt of ſmall conſequence, but by degrees of more moment, rais’d him in the ſpace of nine years to the higheſt credit and authority. For he was put at the head of the Finances of the Kingdom, and had alſo the direction of the King’s Houſehold: Almoſt all publick affairs of the moſt important concern were determin’d by his advice, and whoever had any thing to ſollicit, was oblig’d to apply to him. He conſpires againſt the Heirs to the Crown.The better to ſecure himſelf in this authority he thought it neceſſary to fupport it by ſome foreign power, of which he judg’d the French Nation to be the moſt proper for ſeconding his deſigns, which even ſeem’d to aim ot the Royal dignity. In order to this he made his Sovereign believe, that by the aſſiſtance of the ſaid nation he might poliſh his ſubjects, and put his dominions into a flouriſhing condition: ​Accordingly an Embaſſy was ſent from Siam to France, which occaſion’d two in return from thence to Siam. Jeſuits, Artiſts and military officers were invited from thence. General des Fargues being arriv’d with ſome hundred Soldiers was by him put in poſſeſſion of the Fortreſs of Bankok,Puts the French in poſſeſſion of Bankok. the Key of the Kingdom, ſituated on the great River Meinam ſix Leagues from the Harbour. The French Soldiers together with other troops rais’d in the Country were there put in Garriſon, and the place made ſtronger by new fortifications. Theſe preparations being made, he enter’d into meaſures with the French General, and ſome Mandarins, or officers of the Crown, whom he conſided in. Monpi Totſo, the King’s Son in law, and by him adopted, a dependant of his and the french, was to be placed on the throne, aſſoon as the ſick King ſhould be dead, whoſe encreaſing dropſy threatned him with a ſudden diſſolution. Petraatia and his Sons, the King’s two brothers, as preſumptive heirs to the Crown, and whoever elſe was like to oppoſe the Conſpirator’s deſigns, were to be diſpatch’d out of the way. Purſuant to this Scheme Monpi’s Father, and relations, had already rais’d fourteen thouſand Men, who lay diſpers’d through the Country and the better to facilitate the execution of this deſign, Faulcon perſuaded the ſick King, having found means to introduce himſelf into his apartment in private, that it would be very much for the Security of his perſon during the ill ſtate of his health, to ſend for the French General, and part of his Garriſon, up to Livo, where the King then was, being a City fifteen Leagues North of Judia, and the uſual place of the King’s reſidence, where he uſed to ſpend moſt part of his time. The Conſpiracy diſcovered.General des Fargues being on his way thither, the Conſpiracy was diſcover’d by Petraatia’s own Son, who happening to be with two of the King’s Concubines in an apartment adjoyning to that where the Conſpirators were, had the curioſity to liſten at the door, and having heard the bloody reſolution they had taken, immediately repair’d to his Father to tell him of it. Petraatia without loſs of time acquainted the King with this Conſpiracy, and then ſent for Monpi, Faulcon and the Conſpirators impriſoned.Faulcon and the Mandarines of their party, as alſo for the Captain of the Guards to Court, and cauſed the Criminals forthwith to be put in Irons notwithſtanding the King expreſs’d the greateſt diſpleaſure, at his ſo doing. Faulcon had for ſome time abſented himſelf from Court, but now being ſummon’d he could no longer excuſe himſelf, though dreading ſome ill event, ’tis ſaid, he took his leave from his family in a very melancholy manner. Soon after his Silver Chair, wherein he was uſually carried, came back empty, a bad omen to his friends and domeſticks, who could not but prepare themſelves to partake in their maſter’s misfortune. This happened the nineteenth of May in the year 1689. Monpi beheaded.Two days after Petraatia order’d againſt the King’s will Monpi’s head to be ſtruck off, throwing it at Faulcon’s feet, then loaded with Irons, with this reproach, See there is your King. The unfortunate ​ſick King heartily ſorry for the untimely end of his deareſt Mompi, earneſtly deſired, that the deceaſed’s body might not be expoſed to any further ſhame, but decently buried, which was accordingly complied with. Monpi’s Father was ſeiz’d by a Stratagem upon his eſtate between Judia and Livo, and all their adherents were diſpers’d. Faulcon’s execution.Faulcon, after having been tortur’d and ſtarv’d for fourteen days, and thereby almoſt reduc’d to a ſkeleton, had at laſt his Irons taken off, and was carried away after Sunſet, in an ordinary chair, unknowing what would be his fate. He was firſt carried to his Houſe, which he found rifled: His Wife lay priſoner in the Stable, who far from taking leave of him ſpit in his face, and would not ſo much as ſuffer him to kiſs his only remaining Son of four years of age, another Son being lately dead and ſtill unburied. From thence he was carried out of Town to the place of execution, where notwithſtanding all his reluctancy he had his head cut off: His Body was divided into two parts and cover’d with a little earth, which the Dogs ſcratch’d away in the night time, and devoured the Corpſe to the Bones. Before he died, he took his Seal, two ſilver Croſſes, a relick ſet in gold, which he wore on his breaſt, being a preſent from the Pope, as alſo the order of St. Michael, which was ſent him by the King of France, and deliver’d them to a Mandarin, who ſtood by, deſiring him to give them to his little Son. Preſents indeed, that could be of no great uſe to the poor Child, who to this day with his Mother goes begging from door to door, nobody daring to intercede for them. What happen’d to the French General.General des Fargues being in the mean time arriv’d at Livo with a few men, could not but be extreamly ſurpriz’d at this unexpected turn of affairs: He was indeed to all appearance well receiv’d, and in the Kings name preſented, as uſual, with a Golden Boeſet, or Pinang’s box: but before he was permitted to return to Bankok, he was obliged to promiſe to deliver up this place to the Siamites, and to leave his two Sons, and twelve of his Countrymen, as Hoſtages at Livo. The General upon his return thither, being enrag’d at this diſappointment, acted quite contrary to his promiſes, clapt the watermen, which brought him down, in priſon, fired at the Siamites from the Fortreſs, and diſcharg’d his Guns at their Ships that paſs’d by, on which occaſion two of his Garriſon, who were natives, appearing not quite ſo ready as he would have them, he cauſed them to be hang’d on the ramparts in ſight of their Countrymen, and committed all ſorts of Hoſtilities imaginable. This conduct was like to provoke the Siamites to act a bloody Tragedy with him and his Sons, accordingly they had already begun to raiſe forts on the banks of the River to cut off his retreat by water. But his Fire ſoon abated, upon which, and his laying all the blame of his conduct upon his people, who would not obey commands, the Dutch Reſident perſuaded the Court, that it would be more for their Honour to take revenge of him by generouſly ​overlooking and ſlighting his bravadoes. This repreſentation had the effect, that ſoon after he obtain’d leave to depart with his people. A French man dies of fright.I cannot forbear mentioning an odd accident which happen’d on this occaſion. The aboveſaid Fourteen Hoſtages having endeavour’d to make their eſcape from Livo were overtaken again, and carried back on Horſeback; Their Guards according to the cuſtom of the Country put ropes about every one’s necks, which ceremony put one of the Frenchmen, an Engineer by his profeſſion, into ſuch a fright, that he fell ſtone dead to the Ground. There were ſtill two of the King’s Ships out at Sea, with Frenchmen on board, ſent to cruiſe upon Pirates, and their return was expected much about that time. Theſe the Siamites endeavour’d to get into their power before the Captains could have notice of the rupture between the two nations. Their attempts ſucceeded to expectation, for they attack’d the Sloop, which the French General ſent down in the night, to acquaint the Captains with what had happen’d, juſt as falling down the River, ſhe came out of reach of the Canons of the fortreſs, and after a deſperate fight took and burnt her. All the other Frenchmen, who then were in Siam, either in the Service of the Country or otherwiſe, pay’d very dear for the treaſonable practices of Faulcon, and the ill conduct of their General by ſuffering a long and tedious impriſonment. Mr. Louis carried into Cuſtody.Monſieur Lewis, the Metropolitan Biſhop, who had liv’d in the Country for ſeveral years, had his new-built palace out of the Town plunder’d, and was carried himſelf in Cuſtody into the Court of the Royal Magazines, together with the other Jeſuits his Collegues, who I think were ſeven or eight in number. I viſited them there, living chearfully in little Houſes built of Bambous and Reed. His Character.M. Louis is a Gentleman of profound learning, and throughly verſed in the Religion of Siam, and the Language of their holy books and prieſts: As he is alſo a very pious man, he had by his Chriſtian doctrine and exemplary Life gain’d ſo much upon the Hearts of his Keepers, as another Paul, that they venerated him as a holy Miniſter of God Almighty. Three other Jeſuits, who had ſetled at Livo, near the Temple of Wathniak prani Waan, on pretence of learning the Siamian Pali, or Language of their Holy Books from the Prieſts, with whom they had alſo conform’d in ſhaving their head, in their habit, and in their way of living, diſappear’d of a ſudden, nor was it ever known what was become of them. During theſe Troubles, the Dutch were aſſur’d by order of Petraatia of his favour and protection: Orders alſo were ſent down to Bankock to let their ſhips and boats paſs by unmoleſted.
The King’s two Brothers beaten to death.Petraatia afterwards ſeiz’d the King’s two Brothers, on pretence of being in Faulcon’s Intereſt, and caus’d them to be carried out of the City of Livo to a neighbouring Temple, where they were beaten to death with Clubs made of Sandal-wood, the reſpect for the Royal blood forbidding the ſhedding of it. And ſo the King to his great grief liv’d to ſee his own Brothers die the ſame death, to which he on the ninth ​of October 1656 had put his Uncle Pracitama Ratia, who had ſucceeded his Father, and was then in the third month of his reign, when his Nephew took poſeſſion of the Throne. What added ſtill to the King’s mortification was, that he had always look’d upon Petraatia, as his moſt intimate friend, who was his Siſter’s Son, whoſe Sifters and Daughters were the King’s Wives, and who beſides having on all occaſions expreſs’d an abhorrence for the burthen of a Crown had never given the King room to ſuſpect him of ſo cruel a deſign. The King dies.Under this Grief he died two days after, being the eleventh of July 1689, or according to the Soncarad (which is the Epocha of Siam) 2232, in the fifty fifth of his age, and the thirty ſecond of his peaceable reign.
Petraatia aſcends the Throne.In this manner Petraatia got poſſeſſion of the Adminiſtrarion with the Title of King of Siam, Tanaſſari, Sucketa and Poiſeluke, as alſo of Protector of Cambodia, Jeboor, Pattany and Queda.
Laws to the Succeſſion to the Throne.By virtue of the ancient Laws of Siam upon the demiſe of the King, the Crown devolves on his Brother, and upon the Brother’s death, or if there be none, on the eldeſt Son. But this rule hath been ſo often broken through, and the right of Succeſſion brought into ſuch a confuſion, that at preſent upon the death of the King he puts up for the Crown, who is the moſt powerful in the Royal Family, and ſo it ſeldom happens, that the next and lawful Heir aſcends the Throne, or is able to maintain the peaceable poſſeſſion of it.
This uncertainty of Succeſſion even ſometimes gives an opportunity to Strangers, who have no pretenſions at all to aſpire to the Throne, two late Inſtances of which I will briefly relate. Rebellion of a Prince of Maccaſſar.A Prince of the family of the Kings of Maccaſſar, having ſome years ago fled for protection to Siam with many of his Countrymen, ſettled near the Camp of the Malagans, which the King of Siam had aſſign’d to this latter Nation for their Habitation. (It muſt be obſerv’d here that the ſeveral ſpots of ground, on which the Malagans, Chineſe, Japaneſe, Portugueze, Dutch and other Nations live at Siam, and which are more particularly expreſs’d in the annex’d Plan of the King’s Reſidence, are call’d Camps.) The ſaid Prince form’d a deſign with the aſſiſtance of thoſe Malagans, who profeſs the Mahometan Religion as well as he, to ſeize on the Capital City and to poſſeſs himſelf of the Throne. But his deſign being diſcover’d before it could take effect, the Prince was ſummon’d to Court to ſubmit and beg pardon, which he refuſing according to the innate obſtinacy of thoſe of Maccaſſar, he was cut to pieces with all his Countrymen except his Son of eight years of age, after a bloody fight, in which they made a brave defence, and kill’d a great number of the Siamites. The Malagans, who had aſſiſted him, having ſubmitted in time, eſcap’d this ſevere puniſhment, and were pardon’d and reſtored, the King being of a merciful temper. This happen’d in the year 1687 in the late King’s Life time.
​Rebellion of a Peguan Prieſt.In the year 1689 a Prieſt of Pegu, who had been formerly in cuſtody at Juthia, and was acquainted with the affairs of that Court, made the like attempt. He went about the Country, giving out that he was the eldeſt of the late King’s brothers (who were kill’d by order of Petraatia) and conſequently was the next Heir to the Crown. This Story found ſo much credit, that in a ſhort time he brought over to his Intereſt about Ten thouſand men, being for the greater part an undiſciplined rabble. Having had notice, that the Prince Royal was to go to a certain place for his diverſion attended by his Court, he went thither, and hid himſelf in the wood, in order to murder the whole Company, afterwards to ſurprize the City, and to make away with the King and all his Servants. But he was diſſappointed in his Scheme, for the Prince perceiving ſo many people, and ſuſpecting ſome ill deſign, left them his plate for a prey and fled back to Court. The King having with great ſpeed gather’d an army of Twelve thouſand Men, ſent them to meet the undiſciplined multitude, as they were marching towards the City. This unexpected oppoſition put them under ſuch a conſternation, that they immediately diſpers’d and fled with ſo great a precipitation, that not above one hundred of them were kill’d, and but three hundred taken priſoners, whoſe eſcape the Victors prevented by burning the Soles of their feet. Some days after the Prieſt was found out himſelf lying a ſleep under a Tree in the Wood, and having only a Boy with him. He was forthwith carried to Juthia, and being fetter’d with his neck and breaſt againſt a poſt, expos’d for a publick ſpectacle for ſome days; afterwards his belly was cut open he being alive, and his Inteſtines given to the Dogs to tear and devour.
Officers of the King’s Court.The King’s Court conſiſts of the following great Officers of the Crown. 1. Peja Suruſak call’d alſo Peja Wani-a and Faiwani, to whom the King hath committed the Crown affairs, as for inſtance the direction of the Criminal Courts and Confiſcations, as being the moſt odious part of the Regal power. It is commonly thought the King by laying this truſt upon him defigns to render him obnoxious to the People, but others pretend it was rather done to ſecure the ſucceſſion to him. 2. Peja prah’ klam, (Foreigners pronounce it Berklam) is High Chancellor, and hath the direction of foreign affairs. He is a more comely Perſon, and of better aſpect, than I ever met with amongſt this black race of mankind who are generally ſhort ſiz’d and look almoſt like Monkeys. He is alſo of a quick underſtanding and lively action, for which reaſon he was a few years ago ſent Ambaſſador to France, of which Country, its Government, Fortreſſes and the like, he would often entertain us in his diſcourſes; and the hall of his Houſe, where we had a private audience of him, was hung with the pictures of the Royal Family of France, and European Maps, the reſt of his furniture being nothing but Duſt and Cobwebs. 3. Pejawam, otherwiſe call’d Tnau Peja Taramaſa, is ​great Chamberlain, and hath the Inſpecttion of the King’s palaces and their apartments. 4 Peja Jummeraad, a learned Chineſe, is Chief Juſtice. 5. Peja Polethep, Receiver general, hath the adminiſtration of the Crown Lands and their Revenue. 6. Peja Tſakru, great maſter of the Stables, hath the Inſpecttion over the Elephants and Horſes, and all that relates to the King’s Train and Equipages. 7. Peja Klahom, Steward of the Houſehold, hath the command of the King’s Servants, pleaſure yachts, and the Royal furniture. Theſe are the chief Mandarins, or officers of State, who make up the great Council of the Kingdom. Mandarin is properly a Chineze word us’d only among foreigners, and is in the Language of the Country expreſs’d by Tſiankrue, or Tſiant Tſiam. Next to them are the State and Court officers of an inferiour rank, and an uncertain number, as for inſtance: Peja Tareman, the chief of the Malagans; Opera Tſijat, the chief of the Moors, as they are call’d, or Mahometans: He is alſo Siabander, or Receiver of the cuſtoms for foreign merchandize. Oja Pipat, under or Deputy Berklam, was formerly a domeſtick of Faulcon, of whom he learnt the ſkill of pinching Strangers; Oja Tewijata, Querry of the Elephants, is a Mahometan from Indoſtan, a Man of worth. Oje Tamam Captain of the Guards. Oja De Tſiu, Captain of the Land forces. The Siamites have no hereditary family names, but receive their denomination from the fancy of others, particularly their Superiors. Great Men are call’d after their employments, and ſuch are the names above related. Court Titles and Dignities go in this order. 1. Peja and Oja is as much as a Prince. 2. Opera, who are about forty in number both at Court, and in the Country, are like Lords or Barons. 3. Oluang, or Luang are their Noblemen or Gentry. This Title the King beſtows alſo on his Interprerers or Truchemans. 4. Okucen, are perſons deſcended of great families. 5. Omucen, Inferior officers of diſtinction. 6 Majalacks, Pages and young Gentlemen.
Names of the Kingdom of Siam.The Kingdom of Siam is by the Natives called Muan Thai, which is as much as to ſay, the Land Thai. In their books it is ſounded with this Epithet, Krom Thep Pramma haa Ikoon, (Circuitus viſitationis Deorum) the Circuit of the Viſitations of the Gods. The Malagans and Peguans call it Tziam, from whence comes the European name Siam. Its ſituation.Its Northern Latitude about the middle of it, or where the Capital City is ſituated, is fourteen degrees eighteen minutes, and its Longitude according to the common Maps 138, but according to the late Obſervations of the Jeſuits 120 degrees. Eaſtward it borders upon the Kingdoms Tunkin, Coſynſina and Cambodia; on the South it is limited by the Sea, and the Countries of Malacca, of which the King of Siam poſſeſſes Ligoor, Tanaſſeri, and ſome other ſmall Provinces. On the Weſt is the Kingdom of Pegu, and on the North that of Laos. Extent.Conſidering its extent it is but indifferently peopled being beſt inhabited only along the banks of the Rivers. The great quantity of Deer and ​
Buffalo-ſkins, that are yearly exported by Sea are a proof of vaſt Woods and Wilderneſſes, the rather becauſe thoſe Animals are killed only in the neighbourhood, Tygers and Moraſſes hindering the hunting of them far into the foreſts. Its Diviſion.This Kingdom contains twelve large provinces, each of which is govern’d by an Oja, or Prince, as the King’s Lieutenant, who hath ſeveral Opera’s, or ſubaltern Officers under him. Beſides there is an Oja at Court for every Province, who manages its Concerns, and keeps a watchful Eye over the commanding Lieutenant’s conduct. The late King had added a thirteenth Province to the aforeſaid twelve, which he conquer’d from the Kingdom of Laos, and in all probability he would have conquer’d more, if the ſwelling of a large River had not put a ſtop to his progreſs. But a few years after that Province was taken from him again, ſo that all the benefit of an expedition undertaken in ſo remote a Country, and with ſo much expence, was only the creating a Jealouſy between the two Nations, which ruin’d the former trade between them, and remov’d it to Cambodia.
Account of the Kingdom of Laos.Since I have mention’d Laos, it will not be improper to communicate to the Reader what account I had of this Kingdom, which is otherwiſe but little known, becauſe of its being an Inland Country, and remote from the Sea. Laos is ſituated under the ſame Northern Climate with Tunquin, and is a large and powerful Kingdom ſeparate from the neighbouring States by Foreſts and Deſarts. It lies a month’s Journey North of Judia. It is very inconvenient and troubleſome travelling thither by Land, on account of the high mountains, and on the River, by reaſon of the rocks and Catarracts, ſo that the Veſſels, or Prows as they call them, are built in ſuch a manner, that they can be taken to pieces, and carried over the eminences in order to purſue the Journey by water. It is a fruitful Country. The Soil is a fat clay, which in ſummer grows ſo hard and firm, that the Inhabitants uſe to threſh the Rice upon it, in order to ſeparate it from the huſks, for which in other places they make uſe of a wooden Trough. It produces Rice of the beſt kind in abundance, and furniſhes Cambodia with the beſt Benzoin and Gumm Lacc, though both theſe commodities grow alſo in that Country. It likewiſe yields the moſt valuable Muſk, ſome Gold, and ſome precious Stones, chiefly Rubies, beſides Pearls, which the Siamites call Muk, which is the more to be admired, ſince I could not hear, that there was any Salt Sea in the Country. Their Religion agrees with that of Siam, nor do they much differ in their Language and writing, except only that the Inhabitants of Laos cannot pronounce the Letters L. and R. They write upon leaves like the Peguans and Malabarians, and as the Siamites write their religious Books; but civil affairs are writ upon a ſort of courſe paper with earthen pinns. They boaſt that the Siamites have learnt the art of writing and the Language of their holy Books from them. They reſemble the Chineſe in their ſhape and mien, but are more tawny and ſlender, and ​conſequently of a much handſomer appearance than the Siamites. They have long Earlaps like the Peguans, and the Inhabitants of the Sea-coaſt, the Men without any ornament, but the Women, as long as they remain unmarried, with pieces of gold in them. The Men cauſe their Legs to be painted from the ancle up to the knee with flowers and branches, like the Braſpintados of the Siamites, as a mark of their Religion and Manhood. An arm of the River Ganges runs through the Country, which falls into the River of Cambodia, and renders it navigable, ſo that the Inhabitants of Cambodia go thither every Year in their Prows, or veſſels in order to trade with the Inhabitants. The two chief Cities are Landjam and Tſiamaja. The whole Country is ſaid to have been formerly tributary to the King of Siam.
Deſcription of Judia.But not to expatiate beyound our ſubject, we will return to Juthia, or Judia, the Capital City and place of reſidence of the King of Siam, which in ſome deſcriptions of Travels is wrongly call India, perhaps by a miſtake in print. This City in ancient times ſtood at the place, which is now call’d Bankok, on the Weſtbank of the great River Menam, from whence it was afterwards remov’d to the place, on which it now ſtands, being a low Iſland form’d by the ſaid River. This Iſland, with the City upon it, is of the ſhape of the ſole of a man’s foot, with the heel turning weſtward, and hath about two German Miles in circumference. It is ſituate in a Country all flat, as far as the Eye can reach, on a low ground, which is cut through by many Canals coming from the River, and by them divided into ſo many Iſles and ſquares, that one cannot go far without the help of Boats. It is ſurrounded with a Brick wall, which on the South and North is four fathoms and a half high, clean, well condition’d and adorn’d with Battlements, but the reſt of it is lower, neglected and decay’d. This wall is open in many places, where there are ſmall gates towards the River. On the inſide there are ramparts rais’d againſt it at different diſtances for placing Cannons upon them. At the lower end of the City appears a large baſtion advancing into the water, beſides ſeveral ſmall ones. The firſt is furniſh’d with Cannons againſt the Ships coming up. To fence the Citywall againſt the waſteing of the current, a narrow bank, or key is left, which is built upon in many places. Divers great Canals go out of the River quite through the City ſome from Eaſt to Weſt, others from North to South, and abundance of ſmaller Canals being derived from the great ones, Ships may come from the River up into the Town, and put on ſhore near the principal Houſes and Palaces. The Streets run in a ſtreight line along the Canals; Some of them are tolerably large, but the greater part very narrow, and all, generally ſpeaking, foul and dirty: Some alſo are overflow’d at high water. Conſidering the bigneſs of the City, it is not very populous, and in ſome parts but thinly inhabited, particularly on the Weſt ſide on account of its remoteneſs, and towards the ​South by reaſon of the moraſſy ground, over which people make ſhift to get upon planks, or paltry bridges. This makes that in thoſe parts there are abundance of empty ſpaces and large gardens behind the ſtreets, wherein they let nature work, ſo that they are full of graſs, Herbs, Shrubs and Trees, that grow wild. The firſt Street upon entring the City is that which runs Weſtward along the turning of the Wall: it hath the beſt Houſes, amongſt which are thoſe, that formerly belonged to the Engliſh, Dutch, and French, as alſo that in which Faulcon reſided. The middle Street, which runs North towards the Court, is beſt inhabited, and full of ſhops of Tradesmen, Artificers, and Handicraftmen. In both theſe Streets are ſeen above one hundred Houſes belonging to the Chineſe, Hindoſtanians and Moors, as they call them. They are all built alike of Stone, very ſmall, being but eight paces in length, four in breadth and of two Stories, yet not above two Fathoms and a half high. They are cover’d with flat tiles, and have large doors without any proportion. The reſt of the Streets are leſs inhabited, and the Houſes of ordinary Inhabitants are but mean and poor cottages, built of Bambous (which is a hollow reed, two or three Spans thick) and boards, and careleſly cover’d with Gabbé Gabbé, Branches and leaves of Palm Trees growing wild in Moraſſy places. The Mandarins or Miniſters of State and Courtiers live in ſeparate palaces, with Courtyards to them, which are very dirty. The Buildings in general, though rais’d with Lime and Stone are but indifferent, and the apartments neither clean, nor well furniſh’d. The booth, or Shops of the town are low, and very ordinary, however they ſtand in good order, and in a ſtreight line, as the Streets are. The many Canals occaſion a great number of brides. Thoſe which are laid over the great Canal are of Stone, with Balliſters of the ſame, but as there are no Waggons, nor Carts in this place, they are narrow; in the middle they are high and eighty paces long; but the Bridges over the by Canals are of no Architecture, and for the greateſt part of wood. (See. Tab. II.)
Royal Palaces.There are three Royal palaces in this, City. The firſt is the new palace built by the late King on the Northſide towards the middle of the Town. (See Tab. III Fig. 1.) It conſiſts of a large ſquare, with ſeveral ſubdiviſions, and many buildings, which according to the Chineſe Architecture are adorn’d with many Roofs, and Frontiſpieces part of which are gilt over. Within, the walls of the Palace as well as without, are to be ſeen long Stables, in which ſome hundred of Elephants ſtand in a long row magnificently harnaſs’d. Since the french troubles, as they are here call’d, there is but one entry left to go into the palace, through which no perſon is admitted but on foot, though it is ſo dirty, that people ſometimes ſtep in the mud up to the calf of their Legs, if they do not keep an exact ballance in walking over the ſmall planks, that are laid for them; even an ordinary Mandarin dare not enter but attended only with one ſervant. For this ſame reaſon no ſhips ​or boats are allow’d to come upon the great river, as far as it runs by the walls of the palace. The gates, and other avenues of the palace are crowded with ſwarms of naked fellows, whoſe tawny ſkin is painted with black checquered figures, pointed in the manner, as they do with the Images at the holy ſepulchre at Jeruſalem; ſome of them are thus mark’d only on the arms, but others all over the body to the loyns, which are wrapt up in a cloth according to the general cuſtom of the Natives. They are call’d by a Portugueze word Braspintades. Theſe are the King’s Guards, Door-keepers, and watermen, who wear inſtead of arms ſhort thick clubs, roving and ſauntering about the palace like idle Vagrants. Palace of the Prince Royal.The ſecond palace, call’d the foremoſt palace, is ſituated in the North Eaſt part of the City towards its extremity. It is of a ſquare figure, but not near ſo large as the firſt. It was the ancient place of Reſidence of the former King’s, but at preſent, in 1690, it is inhabited by the Prince Royal, who is twenty years of age. The third and laſt Palace is ſmaller than any of the two, and ſituated in the Weſt and leaſt inhabited part of the City. In this lives at preſent a Prince of the Royal Blood, Palace of the Querry of the King’s Elephants.and it is call’d the Palace of the Querry of the King’s Elephants, the ſaid Prince being the Conductor and Manager of the Elephant, which carries the King. The Prince doth not ride upon the Elephants neck as uſual, but lies upon its Crupper behind the King, from whence he hath a way of governing the beaſt by certain ſigns, to which it is uſed.
Temples and Schools.After the Palaces I ſhall take notice of the Temples and Schools of this City. They are in great number, for as the whole Country is ſtock’d with Prieſts and Monks, this City in particular abounds in all parts with Temples, the Courts of which keep a regular proportion with the Streets, and are full of pyramids and columns of divers ſhapes and gilt over. They do not equal our churches in bigneſs, but far exceed them in outward beauty, by reaſon of the many bended roofs, gilt frontiſpieces, advanced ſteps, columns, pillars, and other ornaments. Within they are adorn’d with many images as big as the life and bigger, ſkilfully formed of a mixture of plaiſter, roſin, oyl and hair, the outſide of which is firſt varniſh’d over with black then gilt. They are placed in ſeveral rows on an eminence, on which the Altar ſtands. In ſome temples alſo along the walls in ſingle rows, ſitting with their legs croſs’d and naked, except the waſte, about which is tied a dark yellow cloth; over the left ſhoulder down to the navel hangs another piece of cloth of the ſame colour twiſted cloſe together. Their earlaps are cut through with a ſlit, and are ſo long, that they reach the ſhoulders. Their hair is curl’d, tied over the crown in two knots, ſo that it cannot be diſtinguiſh’d whether it is a cap, or ſome ſuch ornament. The right hand reſts upon the right knee, and the left lies in the lap. Chief Idol of the Siamites.The chief place, which is in the middle, is for an Idol of a ſize far above human, ſitting in the ſame poſture under a Canopy. It repreſents their chief Teacher, and the Founder ​of their Religion. The Siamites call him Prah, the Saint, or Prah Pudi Dſiau, the Saint of high deſcent, or with a particular name, Sammona Khodum, which the Peguans pronounce Sammona Khutama, a Man without paſſions. The Japaneſe and Chineſe call him Siaka, or Saka, the Ceyloneſe Budhum and Budha. This Prah, or Khodum is repreſented in a monſtrous ſize in ſome Temples. In a Peguan Temple out of the City, call’d in the Peguan Language Tſianpnun Tſiun, there ſits on an eminence ſuch an Idol ſtrongly gilt, the proportion of which is ſuch, that it would be of 120 foot in length, if ſtanding, and we ſhall hereafter meet with another Siaka, or Idol, at Miaco, the Capital of Japan, and Reſidence of its Eccleſiaſtical Hereditary Emperor, which is not inferior to this at Judia, either in ſize, or beauty. The poſture of the ſaid Idol is the ſame with that, in which Budha, and his diſciples placed themſelves, when they were enthuſiaſtically meditating upon religious Subjects. Even to this day the prieſts his followers are obliged by their rules to ſit down daily at ſtated times in the poſture of their Maſter, when they are exerciſing their devotions of meditation and Enthuſiaſm. They alſo go about in the ſame dreſs, only with their heads ſhav’d, covering their face againſt the Sun with a Fan made of palm wood, and leaves.
Next to the Temples are the habitations of the Monks, which are but poor Houſes. Houſes of the Monks.On one ſide of them they have a publick hall, or oratory, call’d Prahkdi, which commonly is a pretty large timber building much like the Temples, the edges of the roof gilt, with a few ſteps leading up to it, and furniſh’d with many Timberſheds inſtead of windows to give mater to the air, during their publick aſſemblies, or lectures. The cieling within is ſuported by two rows of columns, and the room divided into divers claſſes, and benches. In the midſt of it, ſome ſteps above the floor, ſtands a deſk, or pulpit, curiouſly carv’d and gilt, like thoſe in our churhes, on which at certain hours appears an old prieſt, who from large palm leaves ingrav’d with black Characters, reads with a flow and diſtinct voice ſome holy words to his audience, conſiſting chiefly in ſtudents of their divinity, or young monks. Upon the hearing of certain words, and names the audience clap their hands together above their forehead, but upon the main ſhew little attention, and devotion, for I my ſelf ſaw ſome cutting Pinang, others grindinging powders, or mixing Mercury with the Juice of Herbs, or employing their Hands with ſome other paſtime. Near the Desk, or in ſome other place is to be ſeen the Idol of Amida ſtanding upright on the flower Tarate, or Faba Aegyptiaca, or Nymphæa magna incarnata, whom they believe to be the Interceſſor of departed Souls. Round about the hall are hung up flowers and crowns, cut of paper banners, and other gilded ornaments, ſuſpended of Bamboureeds, which they uſe to carry in funeral proceſſions.
During their aſſemblies I have commonly obſerv’d a machine ​ſtanding before the Desk or Pulpit, awkwardly join’d together of Bambous in the form of a table, and hung with yellow pieces of cloth, which the prieſts make uſe of for their dreſs, or rather covering their waſte. There were flowers ſtuck about it for ornament’s ſake, and ſeveral diſhes plac’d on it fill’d with Rice, Pinang, Piſang, dried Fiſhes, Lemons, Mangoſtanges, and other fruits of the Trees of the Country, which were offerings and preſents made to the Convent. It happen’d once, when I was going into one of them, that on the ſteps I met ſuch a machine, when they were carrying it home, the aſſembly being finiſh’d, either the throng of the people, or the careleſsneſs of the wen were the occaſion of their breaking it to pieces, ſo that the Diſhes with the eatables, and all the Trumpery together, fell upon the ground, which made me ſpeedily get out of the way, for fear the Mob might fall upon me as the cauſe of all the miſchief.
Suburbs of Siam.Round the City lie many Suburbs and Villages, ſome of which conſiſt of inhabited Ships, or Veſſels, rather than Houſes, containing two, three, or more Families each, they remove them from time to time, and float them particularly when the waters are high, where Fairs are kept, to ſell their Goods there and get their Livelyhood by it. (See Tab. III. Fig. 4, 5, 6.) Inhabited Boats.The Houſes in the common Villages, that ſtand upon firm Ground, are generally built of Bambous, reed, planks, and other ordinary ſtuff; ſome of the Houſes in the Villages along the banks of the river ſtand on pales a fathom high, that the waters, which overflow the Country for ſome months, may freely paſs under the Houſes. Each Houſe is furniſh’d with Stairs, or a Ladder, to come down in dry weather, and with a boat, to go about it at high water. (See Tab. III. Fig. 7.) Other villages ſtand on higher and des ground, and conſequently not being ſubject to thoſe Inundations their Houſes want neither ſuch ſtairs nor boats. On thoſe eminences alſo ſtand Temples, Convents, burying Places, where they bury their dead, and Yards where they burn their bones and aſhes, and erect coſtly Pyramids over them. On the South-ſide, at a ſmall diſtance down the River, the Dutch have their Factory and Magazines very ſplendidly and conveniently built on dry ground. Dutch Factory.Lower down on the ſame bank are other villages inhabited by Colonies of Japoneſe, (the beſt Soldiers of former Kings) Peguans and Malaccans. On the oppoſite ſide of the River ſtands a village inhabited by a Portugueſe race begot on black Women, and further down ſtands a Church, dedicated to St. Domingo, to which belong the Fathers of the Dominican Order. Behind it ſtands another ſmall Church, which is kept by two Fathers of the Order of St. Auſtin, who with the foreſaid three Dominicans live peaceably together in a Houſe built of Reed. Not far from hence, on the ſame plain, ſtands a Jeſuit Church nam’d St. Paul, after the chief Church at Goa, belonging to the Fathers of this Order, who through all Aſia are better pleas’d to be call’d Paulins from that Church than Jeſuits. South Weſt of the City, oppoſite to that ſide of ​the River, where it lets out the branch Klang Nam Ja the Metropolitan Biſhop Mr. Louis had caus’d a ſtone Palace to be built, together with a fine Church, which is now lock’d up ſince his Impriſonment. The Roman Catholick Eccleſiaſticks in Siam have aſſur’d me; that there live above three thouſand ſix hundred Chriſtians in the neighbourhood of Judia, who are paſt ſeven years of age, and have been admitted to the Sacrament.
Pyramid Pkah Thon. See Tab. IV.I cannot forbear taking notice in a few words of two remarkable curioſities near Judja. The firſt is the famous Pyramid Pkah Thon or Puka’ thon, which ſtands on a plain one League North Weſt of the City. It was built by the Siamites in remembrance of a great victory obtain’d in that place over the King of Pegu, whom they kill’d and defeated his numerous Army, thereby freeing themſelves of the ſubjection they were under to the Peguans, and reſtoring their ancient Liberty. It is a bulky, but magnificent ſtructure, forty odd fathoms high, ſtanding in a ſquare taken in with a low neat wall. It conſiſts of two ſtructures which are built one upon the other. The lowermoſt ſtructure is ſquare, each ſide being one hundred and fifteen paces long, and riſes to the height of twelve fathoms and upwards. Three corners jet out ſome few paces on each ſide, which are continu’d up to the top,, and altering its ſquare figure make it appear, as it were, multangular. It conſiſts of four Stories, built one upon the other, the uppermoſt of which growing narrower leaves at the top of that below it an empty ſpace, or walk to go round. Every Story hath its Corniſhes curiouſly diverſify’d, and all the walks, the lowermoſt only excepted, are taken in with low neat walls adorn’d in each corner with fine columns. The middlemoſt corner of each Story repreſents the frontiſpiece of the Building. It exceeds the others in beauty and ornaments, eſpecially in a magnificent gable it ends into. The Stair-caſe is in the middle of it, which leads up to the upper area on which is built the ſecond ſtructure, and conſiſts of ſeventy four ſteps, each nine Inches high, and four paces long. The ſecond ſtructure is built on the upper ſurface of the firſt, which is ſquare, each ſide being thirty ſix paces long. It ſtands out in the middle for ornament’s ſake, and is taken in like the reſt, with a low neat wall. It hath a walk five paces broad to go about the ſecond ſtrudure. The Stair-caſe ends into this walk, each ſide of its entry being adorn’d with columns. The baſis, or pedeſtal of the ſecond ſtructure is octangular, conſiſting of eight ſides of different length, thoſe facing South, Eaſt, Weſt and North, being eleven, but the North Eaſt, South Eaſt, South Weſt, and North Weſt ſides, each twelve paces long. It hath its Corniſhes much after the manner of the lowermoſt ſtructure to the height of ſome fathoms. It then becomes not unlike a Steeple, on whoſe top ſtand ſeveral ſhort columns at ſome diſtances from each other, the ſpaces between being left empty. Theſe columns ſupport a pile of globes, which run up tapering, their ​diameters decreaſing in proportion to the height. The whole ends into a very long Spire, and withal ſo ſharp, that it is very ſurprizing, how it could hold out for ſo conſiderable a ſpace of time againſt all the Injuries of wind and weather. (See Tab. IV. Fig. 1. 2.) Next to this Pyramid are ſome Temples and Colleges of the Talapoins, which are taken in with particular neat brick walls. The Temples are of a very curious Structure, cover’d with ſeveral roofs, ſupported by columns. As to the whole, I muſt refer the Reader to the annex’d figures, which will give him a much better Idea, than could be expected of the moſt accurate deſcription.
Berklam’s Temple.The other remarkable Curioſity is a double ſquare joining together, and fituate not far from the City towards the Eaſt; each ſquare contains ſeveral Temples, Convents, Chapels, Columns, Pyramids and other Buildings of different forms. They are ſeparated by a Canal, and are each enclos’d with a fine wall. To avoid entring into tedious particulars, I have given the Plan of thoſe Squares, together with ſome of the chief buildings, at large. (See Tab. V. and VI.) In the firſt Square occurs the Temple of Berklam, as it is call’d, mark’d with Lit. A. from which the whole place hath taken its name, and is become particularly famous. Its Structure in general is exquiſitely fine, but particularly the Gate at the great Entry is a piece of admirable workmanſhip compos’d of carven Images and branched work, or foliage. The Architecture reſembles that of the Temple near Pka’thon, the above deſcrib’d famous Pyramid, both which are repreſented in Tab. III. Fig. 2. 3. The middle of the Temple is for ornament’s ſake cover’d with four roofs, that are bent, and lie one over another. The lowermoſt of thoſe roofs jets out on each ſide of the Temple like a wing which is ſupported by eight columns. The inſide is like all other Temples pretty dark, there being no windows, ſo that all the light can come in only through the door and ſome holes in the wall. The Porch is rais’d above the ground, and cover’d with ſeveral roofs, which are ſupported by eight Columns with gilt Capitals ſtanding in two rows. The outer row of Columns is join’d together by a red Lettice or Grate, before the frontiſpiece of the Temple, to preſerve the precious doors in it. There are three folding pair of doors in this frontiſpiece, each pair conſiſting of two valves, which are very nicely and skilfully carv’d into three Layers of branches twiſted together, and adorn’d with leaves and flowers, among which appear ſeveral ſmall Images of their Idols of different forms and poſtures, ſome of them having four arms and hands holding divers Weapons and Inſtruments, the whole well proportion’d and adorn’d with gold and different colours. Next to the Temple ſtands a ſmall open houſe mark’d with Lit. a, in the midſt of which hangs a bell gilt over, of two yards diameter, which they ſtrike with a hammer in the mornings and evenings to call the Monks to their prayers and devotions, which they perform ſinging in choirs with a trembling voice, as the Monks in Europe ſing Pſalms. (See Tab. VI. Fig. 7.)
​Lit. B. is another temple like the former, only without ſo many ornaments. The porch of it conſiſts of two open rooms adorn’d with Plaiſter-work and gilt ſmall Idols. The Floor was cover’d with heaps of large palm-leaves, being the remains of their Pali, or religious Books, which when they grow old and worn out, are here laid aſide in this manner, as in a ſacred place. In viewing theſe Temples I took notice, as of ſomething particular, that I met with no images of beaſts, and Idols of a monſtrous figure, as the Brahmines and Chineſe have in theirs, for all their idols within the Temples are repreſented in human ſhape, either ſitting, or ſtanding, tho’ without them, as for inſtance on the gates, entries, pyramids, particularly in theſe two ſquares, we are now ſpeaking of, appear as by way of ornament many monſtrous images, with hideous frightful faces.
Lit. C. is a Pyramid in the form of a ſteeple, gilt over from the top to half its height, and ſtanding on a pedeſtal rais’d above the ground, and taken in with a ſquare walk. The uppermoſt point is ſurrounded with a Crown of large extent turn’d upſide down, on which hang ſmall gilt Bells, or Cymbals, which being mov’d by the wind give a ſound.
Lit. D, is a ſmall wooden Houſe, in which is kept a very heavy Sedan, painted with divers colours.
Lit. E is a vaulted Chapel with a bulky Idol like that of Bacchus, call’d by the Brahmans Viccaſwara. It is much beyond the ordinary ſize of a man, ſtrongly gilt all over, turning with his Face ſmiling towards the Temple laſt mention’d. Under and above it and on the ſides ſtood ſeveral other ſmaller Idols, as is repreſented in Tab. V. Fig. 2. Before it were rails, on which appear’d the marks of wax Candles, that had been burnt there.
Lit. F. is another building vaulted and like the former. Within on the middle of the wall was engraven a Figure partly colour’d and partly gilt, in ſome meaſure reſembling a foot with four Toes, three Spans long, and one and a half broad, which they hold as ſomething very ſacred. (See Tab. V. Fig. 3.) Under it were plac’d divers ſmall Idols.
Pyramids.The Pyramids ſtanding in thoſe Squares are built in honour of certain Gods, to whom they are dedicated and named after them. They are commonly provided with ſhelves on which the Devotees place their offerings for the benefit of the prieſts.
In the other Square (See Tab. V. Fig 1.) within its walls were rang’d Flower-pots and Boxes for plants. There ſtood alſo within it ſeveral Topoo Trees,Topoo Trees. in the Eaſt Indies call’d Rawaſith, and Bipel. This is a ſort of a Milk or Fig Tree, of the ſize of a beach, with extended branches, a ſmooth grey bark, and round but long pointed leaves, bearing a round fruit, which is inſipid, and nouriſhment only for Bats. All the Pagans of theſe parts hold it to be holy, and pleaſing to the Gods, for as much as their great Saint Sammana Khodum always ​choſe to ſit under it, and for this reaſon they love to plant it near their temples, if the Soil and Climate will allow it. The like holineſs is aſcrib’d to another Milk or Fig Tree, Remarkable Fig Tree.whoſe branches bending towards the ground take root in it, after they touch it, and form as many new Stems, by which means it extends it ſelf far round about: It hath leaves not unlike thoſe of the Lauro-Ceraſus, but larger and bears a fruit like the other, which bats love to eat. The Ceyloneſe call it alſo Budhum Gas, that is Budbum’s Tree. But it is difficult to plant and not proper to ſtand near the temples by reaſon of its ſpreading ſo far. This ſecond ſquare contain’d two remarkable Temples, the firſt of which repreſented on each door in the porch two Savages with heads of Devils, (See Tab. V. Fig. 2.) and at the back door were painted two Portugueze as big as the Life. A great feſtival is yearly celebrated in this Temple: There ſtood beſides in this ſecond ſquare ſome other Chapels with Idols in them, as alſo divers fine pyramids, ſome of which are gilt over, and others full of monſtrous figures. It would be too tedious to deſcribe each of them in particular, and I think it ſufficient to have given the figures of the moſt remarkable ones in Tab. VI. Fig. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Remarkable Tree with Birds neſts.Before I leave this Subject, I muſt take notice of a Tree of a ſtrange nature, which one meets with going out of the City towards theſe two ſquares, over the Dyke made not long ago for ſhutting up the Southern arm of the great River. It is of the ſize of an Apple tree, has narrow leaves, and long ſpreading branches, at the extremities and ſmalleſt Twigs of which hang Bird’s neſts, ingeniouſly twiſted together of dry graſs and other ſtuff in the form of a Purſe with a long and narrow neck. The openings of theſe Neſts look to the North-weſt, ſo that no South wind, nor rain can come in. I told upwards of fifty of them only on this tree, and never met with the like on any other. The Birds were of a dark yellowiſh colour, not unlike Canary Birds, and chirping almoſt like Sparrows, of which otherwiſe there is a great plenty in this Country. Another extraordinary thing in this Tree is, that the trunk and larger branches of it are full of crabbed excreſcencies, or warts of different figures, which the Inhabitants make uſe of as a Medicine againſt certain ditempers.
Religion of the Siamites.The Religion of theſe People is the Pagan Doctrine of the Brahmans, which ever ſince many Centuries hath been profeſs’d amongſt all the Nations from the River Indus to the extremity of the Eaſt, except that at the Court of the Grand Mogul, and in his great Cities, as alſo in Summatra, Java, Celebes, and other neighbouring Iſlands the Mahometiſm has gain’d ſo much ground, that it ſeems to prevail above it. This general Paganiſm, (which is to be diſtinguiſh’d from the Religion of the old Perſians worſhipping the Sun, now almoſt extinct) tho’ branch’d out into ſeveral Sects and Opinions, according to the various Cuſtoms, Languages and Interpretations, yet is of one and the ſame ​Origine. The Siamites repreſent the firſt Teacher of their Paganiſm in their Temples, in the figure of a Negro ſitting, of a prodigious ſize, his hair curl’d, the skin black, but as it were out of reſpect gilt over, accompanied on each ſide by one of his chief Companions, as alſo before and round about him by the reſt of his Apoſtles and Diſciples, all of the ſame colour and moſt in the ſame poſture. They believe according to the Brahmans, that the Deity dwelt in him, which he prov’d by his Doctrine, Way of Life, and Revelation. For Wiſtnu, by which they mean the Deity, having already many hundred thouſands of years before aſſum’d different forms, and viſited the World eight different times, appear’d the ninth in the perſon of this Negro, whom for this reaſon they ſtile Prahpuditſau, that is to ſay, the Saint of high deſcent; Sammana Khutama, the Man without Paſſions: Prah bin Tſjau, the Saint who is the Lord; or plainly Prah, the Saint, or Budba’ (or Phutha’ in one ſyllable, according to their guttural pronunciation, like that of the Hottentots). Siaka.The Ceylaneſe call him Budhum, the Chineſe and Japaneſe Sacka, or Siaka, or plainly Fotoge, that is, the Idol, and with an honourable Epithet Si Tſun, the great Saint.
Where born.About his origine and native Country, I find the account of thoſe Heathens do not agree. The Siamites call the Country of his nativity Lanca, which is the Iſland of Ceylon, from whence they ſay, their Religion was firſt brought over to them, and afterwards further propagated through the neighbouring Countries as far as China and Japan. Accordingly there are ſtill to be ſeen ſome foot ſteps of their Religion, as well of that which they exercis’d before, as of the other ſprung up in the room of it, on the top of a high mountain in the Iſland of Ceylon, by the Europeans call’d Pico d’Adam, which they look upon as holy, and in their Maps place it in the Centre of the World. The Ceyloneſe themſelves call the Country of his nativity Macca deſia, meaning by it the Kingdom of Siam, for they make uſe of the Pali, or Bible of the Siamites, which the Peguans call Maccatapaſa, in their Khom, or Language of the Khomuts, owning that they had it from the Siamites. The Chineſe and Japaneſe pretend that this Saint, and the Doctrine he reveal’d, had their origine in the Country of Magatta, or as the Japaneſe call it, Tenſik Magatta Kokf, that is the Heaven-landiſh Magatta, which according to their deſcription and opinion is the Continent of India, including Pegu and Siam, adding withal, that Siaka was the Son of the King of thoſe Countries, the Inhabitants of which aſcribe to each other the origin of their Teacher, a Prophet, as it ſeems, being always thought the greater for being of a foreign Country. The Benjans and learned Brahmans believe that Budha had neither Father nor Mother, and conſequently own, they know nothing of his birth and native Country. They repreſent him in the figure of a man with four arms, and as for the reſt have no other Legends concerning his miracles and actions, beſides a tradition of his adorable ​piety having now for 26430 years been fitting on a Tarate flower, and praiſing the ſupreme God ever ſince 21639 years (reckoning from the preſent 1690 year of Chriſt,) when he firſt appear’d and reveal’d himſelf to the world. But the Siamites, and other Nations lying further Eaſt, have whole Books full of the birth, life and miracles of this God Prah, or Siaka. I am at a loſs how to reconcile theſe various and oppoſite accounts, which I have gather’d in the above-ſaid Countries, unleſs by ſuppoſing, what I really think to be the true opinion, viz. that the Siamites and other Nations lying more Eaſterly have confounded a younger Teacher with Budha’ and miſtaken the former for the latter, which confuſion of the Gods and their names is very frequent in the Hiſtories of the Greeks and Egyptians, Siaka and Budha are not the ſame Perſon.ſo that Prah or Siaka, is not the ſame with Budha, much leſs with Ram, or Rama, as he is call’d by Father Kircher in his Sina Illuſtrata, the latter having appear’d many hundred thouſand years before, but that he was ſome new Impoſtor who ſet up but about five hundred years before Chriſt’s nativity. Beſides this, many circumſtances make it probable, that the Prah, or Siaka, was no Aſiatick, or Indian, but ſome Egyptian Prieſt of note, probably of Memphis, and a Moor, who with his Brethren being expell’d their native Country, brought the Egytian Religion into the Indies, and propagated it there, and this for the following Reaſons.
Eaſtern Paganiſm deriv’d from the worſhip of the Egyptians.1. There appears in ſeveral material Points a conformity between this Eaſtern, and the Ancient Egyptian Paganiſm; for the Egyptians repreſented their Gods, as theſe Heathens now do, in the form of different ſorts of Animals and human Monſters; whereas their Neighbours in Aſia, as for Example, the Perſians, Chaldeans, and other Nations profeſſing the ſame Religion, worſhip’d rather the Luminaries of the Heavens, particularly the Sun, and the Fire, as being its Image; and it is probable, that before the introduction of the preſent Paganiſm among the Indians, they had the ſame ſort of worſhip with the neighbouring Chaldeans and Perſians. For as it cannot be ſuppos’d, that theſe ſenſible Nations liv’d without any Religion at all, like the brutal Hottentots, it is highly probable, that they rever’d the divine Omnipotence by worſhiping, according to the Cuſtom of the Chaldeans, the sun, and other Luminaries of the Firmament, as ſuch parts of the Creation, which moſt ſtrike the outward ſenſes, and fill the underſtanding with the admiration of their unconceivable proprieties. And there are ſtill to this day among thoſe Heathens ſome remains of the Chaldean Religion, conſiſting in a worſhip paid to the Sun and the Stars, which however is not taught by their Prieſts, but only tolerated like ſome ſupererogatory worſhip, juſt as there remain even in Chriſtian Governments, certain antient pagan cuſtoms and ſuperſtitions, eſpecially the Bachanals. Two Articles in the Egyptian Religion, which were moſt religiouſly maintain’d, were, the Tranſmigration of Souls, ​and a Veneration for Cows, particularly for the holy Cow at Memphis, call’d Apis, or Serapis, which had divine honours paid her, and was ſerv’d by Prieſts. Both theſe Articles are ſtill obſerv’d among the Aſiatick Heathens, particularly thoſe that inhabit the Weſt-ſide of the Ganges; for no body there dares to kill the leaſt and moſt noxious Inſects, as being animated by ſome tranſmigrated human Soul; and the Cows, whoſe Souls they think are by frequent tranſmigrations, as it were, deified, are ſerv’d and attended with great veneration, their Dung being burnt to aſhes is turn’d into holy Salve, their Urine ſerves for holy Water, the Image of a Cow poſſeſſes a peculiar Chapel before their Temples, is every day honour’d with freſh flowers, and hath ſweet-ſcented oyl poured upon her. It is alſo remarkable, that the nearer thoſe Heathens are to Egypt, the greater Zeal appears among them with relation to theſe two Articles, and the more remote they are from it, the more they abate in it, ſo that in Siam and the more Eaſtern Kingdoms, even the Prieſts themſelves make no ſcruple of eating Cows Fleſh, provided they have not given occaſion, nor conſented to their killing; nor doth the opinion of the tranſmigration of the Souls prevail there ſo much, as it does among the Benjans in Hindoſtan, for the Inhabitants of the Eaſt-ſide of the Ganges grant no quarters to Fleas or Flies, that attack their Skin. I ſhall barely mention, that among theſe Aſiatick Heathens we meet not only with the greater Deities of the Egyptians, but alſo with the leſſer, tho’ they are diſguiſed by other names, and fabulous circumſtances, which however might be eaſily clear’d up and reconcil’d.
2. It is obſervable, that twenty three Centuries ago, or according to the moſt exact computation in the five hundred and thirty ſixth year before Chriſt’s nativity, Cambyſes, the Perſian Tyrant, ſubverted the Religion of the Egyptians, kill’d their Apis, or holy Cow, the Palladium of their Worſhip, and murder’d, or exil’d their Prieſts. Now if one conſiders that the Siamites, reckoning their Soncarad, or Eccleſiaſtical Epocha from the death of their great Saint, their 2233–4th year falls in with our preſent 1690th year after Chriſt’s nativity, it will appear, that the ſaid Epocha agreed with that time, and that it may be concluded from thence, that then a notable Prieſt of Memphis, to whom they gave the name of Budha, Siaka, or the great Saint, fled with his Brethren into India, where he publiſh’d his Doctrine, which was ſo well receiv’d, that it ſpread to the extremity of the Orient.
3. This Saint being repreſented with curled Hairs, like a Negro, there is room to conclude, that he was no native of India, but was born under the hot Climate of Africa, conſidering that the Air in India produces on its black Inhabitants none of that curl’d Wool, but long and black Hair, quite lank, and very little curl’d: And tho’ the Siamites crop theirs, ſo as to leave it only of the length of a Finger; yet as it ſtands an end like briſtles, it is eaſily diſtinguſh’d from the woolly ​Curls of a Negro, and conſequently it is more probable, that Budha was of African, than of Siamite extraction.
Eccleſiaſticks of Siam.The Siamites in general are a plain and good natured people. Their Eccleſiaſticks lead a ſedate and auſtere life, for they aim at a ſtate of perfection in this World, acceptable to Heaven and attended with eternal rewards, by ſubduing their paſſions, and mortifying their deſires, purſuant to the doctrine and example of their great Maſter. They never marry, as long as they continue in an Eccleſiaſtical ſtate, but live together in Convents near the Temples. They go almoſt naked, having only a cloth, or apron, of a dark yellow colour tied about their waſte, and another piece of cloth hanging down from the left ſhoulder in narrow pleats, which in bad rainy weather they open and ſpread over their ſhoulders, and the upper part of the body. Their heads are never cover’d, but are ſhav’d cloſe; in their hands they carry a Fan made of Palm-leaves, or ſhavings of wood. There are different ranks and degrees among them. (1) The youngeſt call themſelves Dſiaunces, or Friars and ſtudents of divinity, who after having attain’d the twentieth year of their age, and undergone a rigorous Examen, are advanced to the dignity of Dſiaukus, or Fathers, on which occaſion there is a great entertainment given. The Peguans call them Talapoi, which name becoming firſt known to foreigners, they now beſtow it indifferently on all the Prieſts and Eccleſiaſticks of the Symbolic Religion in Pegu, Siam, Camboja, Aracau, Parma, Laos, Tunkin, and Cochintſina. (2) Dſiauku are the common Prieſts or Fathers, who live together in Societies inhabiting one, or more, buildings like Convents near certain Temples. Each ſuch Convent is governed by (3) a Prior, whom they call Luangwad, that is to ſay, the Head of the Temple, or Sompan, the Noble. All the Convents in each province depend on one (4) Prahkhru, like a Biſhop, or Metropolitan. Theſe again as well as all the reſt of the Clergy in the Kingdom are under the (5) Prah Sankara, as it were the Primate and High Prieſt. He lives in the Capital, and the King’s reſidence Judia, and his authority is ſuch, that even the King himſelf is obliged to bow to him. Theſe Eccleſiaſticks are not of a particular race, like the Brahmans, but every body, who hath a mind for it, and can obtain it, may turn Monk, and even married men may leave their Wives, and go to live in the Convent. The Eccleſiaſticks, as ſuch, and as long as they continue in orders, cannot be puniſh’d by the ſecular arm for any offence whatſoever. For this reaſon they are firſt degraded, and ſtript of their Eccleſiaſtical habit, before they are deliver’d up to Juſtice. However out of reſpect to the Character they bore, they are treated with much leſs Severity, than ſecular perſons. And even ſometimes for capital crimes the King will only baniſh them to an uninhabited Iſland, call’d Coccatſian, where he alſo confines his Mandarines and Miniſters of ſtate, if they fall in diſgrace. Nuns.There are alſo Nuns among ​them, whom they call Nanktſij, or Bagins, who wear ſuch pieces of cloth like the Monks, but of a white colour inſtead of yellow. Theſe Nuns in former times liv’d among the Prieſts near the Temples, but it having happen’d at a place a league above Judia, where the religious of both ſexes liv’d promiſcuouſly together in the ſame village, that ſeveral of the Nuns prov’d with Child, they have ſince been remov’d from the Temples to particular Houſes, the better to keep their Vow of Chaſtity. The Temple of that Place ſtill bears the Name of Wad Nantſij, or the Temple of Nuns.
Epocha of the Siamites.The Siamites begin their Soncarad, or Epocha, from the death of their great God Sammona Khutama, otherwiſe call’d Prah, and Budha’. In the year 1690, when I was in Siam, they told 2234. Cyclus of ſixty years.They have like the Chineſe a Cyclus of ſixty years, tho’ there be but twelve years that bear particular Names, which being five times repeated make up the whole Cyclus. For the ſatisfaction of the curious Reader, I will inſert the Names of the twelve Years, as alſo the Names of their Months, and of the Days of the Week, as they were communicated to me in the Country. The Years are,
    Names of their years.1. Pije Tſoelat, The Mouſe-year.
    2. Pije Tſaloe, or Tſlu, or Tſalou, The Cow-year.
    3. Pije Kaen, The Tyger-year.
    4. Pije To, or Tao, The Hare’s-year.
    5. Pije Marong, or Maroni, The Year of the great Serpent.
    6. Pije Maceng, or Maſeeng, The Year of the ſmall Serpent.
    7. Pije Mamia, The Horſe-year.
    8. Pije Mame, or Mamij, The Ram’s-year.
    9. Pije Wock, or Wook, or Woak, The Monkey’s-year.
    10. Pije-erka, The Chicken’s-year.
    11. Pye Tſo, or Tſjoo, or Tgio, The Dog-year.
    12. Pije koen, The Swine-year.
Their Months.It appears by this Liſt of the twelve Years, that Pije ſignifies a Year in general. The Year is divided into twelve Months, which are Lunar, of twenty nine, and thirty Days, alternatively. Every third Year they tell thirteen Months, one of the twelve being repeated twice. The general name of the Month is Duan, to which word is added the number, as they follow one another, for the names of particular Months, as for inſtance, Dſuan Aey, the firſt Month, Dfuan Gie, or Dzi, the ſecond Month, and ſo on, Saem, for the third, Sie, for the fourth, Ha, for the fifth, Hook, for the ſixth, Tſet, or Tſiet for the ſeventh, Pet, or Peijt, for the eighth, which is told twice every third Year, Cau, or Knau for the ninth, Sieb, or Sib, for the tenth, Siebeet, for the eleventh, and Sieb Song for the twelfth. The firſt Month is of nine and twenty Days, the ſecond of thirty, the third again of twenty nine, and ſo they go ​on alternatively, ſo that the whole year is of 354 days, and every third year of 384. They tell the days of the month from the new-moon to the full moon fifteen days, then they begin again at one, and ſo go on to the next new-moon. This is the reaſon, why ſome of their months are of thirty, others of twenty nine days. Days of the week.Their week conſiſts of ſeven days; which put in parallel with ours are as follows.
| Sunday, is by them call’d, | Wan Alit, the Day of the Sun. |
| Monday | Wan Tſan, the Day of the Moon. |
| Tueſday | Wan Angkaen, the Day of working. |
| Wedneſday | Wan Poeth, the Day of meeting. |
| Thurſday | Wan Prahat, the Hand day. |
| Friday | Wan Sock, the day of reſt. |
| Saturday | Wan Sauw, the attracting day, or day of attraction, becauſe it attracts a new week. |
Their Feſtival Days.The Siamites celebrate the firſt and fifteenth day of every month, being the days of the new and full moon. Some alſo go to the Pagods every firſt day of the quarter, which in ſome meaſure anſwers to our Sunday. They have beſides ſeveral yearly ſolemn feſtivals, as for inſtance, one at the beginning of the year, call’d Sonkraen, another call’d Kitimbac, or Ktimbac, that is to ſay, the proceſſion by Land, on which, as I have been inform’d, the King goes to make his offering at a famous Temple at Napathat, in a Siamiſh Coach, drawn by men; another call’d Ktinam when the King attended with a magnificent train goes by water to make his devotions and offerings at a ſtately temple call’d Banihin, ſituated below Judia, and according to the opinion of the common people to cut the waters, which about the time of this ſolemnity are higheſt, and to command them to withdraw. Two others of the yearly feſtivals of the Siamites are known by the name of Sahutſioian, which is as much as to ſay, the feſtival of the waſhing of the Elephants, the Heads of theſe animals being on theſe two days waſh’d with great Ceremonies. The beginning of the feſtival days in general is by the Siamites call’d Kaupaſa, and the end thereof Oppaſa.
Money of Siam.It remains that I ſhould ſay ſomething of the current money of the Kingdom of Siam. Tſiani, by foreigners call’d Katti, is underſtood of Silver, being two pound and a half, or twenty Thails, or fifty Rixdollars, that is, double the value of a Katti, as it is current at Batavia and in Japan. The Thail is by the Siamites call’d Tamluni, though there are none coin’d in the Kingdom. It is worth four Tikals. A Tikal by the Siamites call’d Baat is worth four Maas, or thirty Dutch Stievers. Every Maas, or as the Siamites call it Slini, or Sling, hath two Fuangs. Every Fuang, (the Siamites pronounce it Phuani, or Pujang) hath two Siampais. A Siampai, or Sapai, hath two Puininis. A ​Pynini contains an uncertain number of Bijas, by us call’d Cowers, being a ſmall white, or yellowiſh Shell of the Conchæ Veneris kind, which I have deſcrib’d in its proper place. The Cowers differ very much in value; One may buy for a Phuang from 500 to 800. They are imported in great quantities from the Maldive Iſlands. All the Silver money of Siam is coin’d of Dutch Crowns, which are for this purpoſe coin’d in Holland, and imported by the Dutch Eaſt India Company at ſeven ſhillings the Crown.