The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Curiosities of Natural _History. By F. Buckland,
M.A., Assistant-Surgeon 2d Life Guards. Lon-
don : R. Bentley, New Burlington-street.

The author of this.little book is the son of the
late Dean of Westminster, the eminent geologist.
Its pages abound with original facts and anecdotes
relating to familiar ojects of natural history, col-
lected during leisure hours from professional du-
ties. The chapter on " Rats" (from which it ap-
pears much of the Quarterly's article on the same
subject was derived) is particularly interesting.
There is much curious information about snakes,
both harmless and venomous, in "The Cobra de
Capello." The observant angler may gain many
hints ir. m "Fish and Fishing," and the lovtrs of
tee vivararium will be pleased with " The Hunt
in the Horse-pond." " My Monkey Jacks " is a
chapter full of genuine fun. We can recommend
this book as combining much instructive matter
with a fund of amusing and very readable informa-
tion. We trust that young Buckland, having
broken the ice of literature, will follow in the steps
of his illustrious and talented father, and thereby
become au ornament to the profession he has
chosen.

TREATY BETWEEN FRANCE AND SIAM.

The Moniteur of yesterday promulgates the treaty
of friendship, commerce, and navigation which was
concluded between France and the kingdom of
Siam on the 15th August, 1856, and of which the
ratifications were exchanged at Bangkok on the
24th August, 1857 :--
"The preamble sets forth that the treaty is between
the Emperor of the French and the two Kings of Siam,
and it gives at length the names of their Siamese
Majesties ; those of the first being 29 in number, of
which the first four are Prabath Somdet Phabaramead

Mahamakout, those of the second baing 27 ; the first
four are Prab4th S.nndet Phrabovorentharamesoura

Mabisvaret, and the last three in both cabs, Chao You
Beam. It also declares that it has been concluded ma the
part of the Emperor of the French by M. de Montigny,
officer of the Legioi, of Honour, Jec., and on the
part of the two Kings by five personages, of whom one
is called his highness Phra Chao Nouygatben, and three
other names ; his Excellency Somdet Chao Phraya
and 2ill other names, Governor of the capital ; his
Excellency Chao Phraya Sisourivong and 6 other names,
Minister of War, and Governor-General of the South
Eastern provinces ' • his Excellency Cheer° Phraya
Ravioongsa Mahakosatibodi, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, and Governer-General of the South Eastern
provinces ; and his Excellency Chao Phraya, Yomarat
and 13 other names, Minister of Justice. The treaty,
which is in 24 articles, contains these stipulations :
There shall be peace and friendship between the
two countries, and their subjects shall enjoy on
the territories of each full protection for their
persons and property. Siamese subjects shall, be-
sides, be protected by French consuls and ships of war
abroad. The two powers may nominate consuls to
reside in their respective territories, and when the con-
suls hapeen to be absent, Frenchmen may obtain the
intervention of the consul of a ftiendly power or of the
local authorities. Frenchmen may freely and openly
practise their religion in all partei of Siam, and Fret eh
missionaries may preach, build churches and schools,
and travel freely every where. French subjects may tra Je
without molestation in any part of Siam, but they c;an
only reside permanently at Bangkok, or within a distance
of twenty-four hours' journey from that place bythe boats
et the country. Within that distance they may purchase
and sell houses, warehouses, and lands; but, to purchase
lands within six kilometres of the walls of Bang-
kok, they must have the special authorisation of
the government, unless they have resided ten years in
the kingdom. Frenchmen may freely employ Siamese
in any capacity. They cannot be detained in Siam
against their will, except for reasons which may appear
attsfactory to their o easul. French sevens, travelling
in Siam, are to enjoy special protection. The French
c instils and the Siamese authorities to endeavour to
settle amicably any difference which may arise between
Frenchmen and Siamese ; but, in case they may not be
able to do so, they are to decide on them jointly. French
commercial vessels are to be subjected solely to the
jurisdiction of French authorities ; and Fiench. subjects
guilty of crimes and cfflices, are to be punished by the
consul according to the French law ; Siamese sub-
lects, guilty of crimes and offences against the French,
co be punished according to their own law. The
Sian,. ,e authorities are to have the right to prosecute
and punish persons guilty of piracy against French
vessels, or of robbeliee of Frenchman, and are to give op
deserters, the French consuls on their part arresting
such Siamese deserters as may seek refuge in French
boss -s or vessels. The French and Siamese authorities
are to lend assistance in enforcing the payment of debts'
due to their respective subjects, and are to give np to,
heirs or executors property of subjects deceased in their
respective countries. French ships of war may enter the
river and anchor at Paknam, but if they want to go to
Bangkok, they are to give notice to the Siamese authori-
ties, and to come to an understanding with them as to
the place of anchorage. The Siamese authorities are
to render assistance to French vessels in distress,
or wr: cked. French vessels and their cargoes on
payment of certain import and export dues are to be.
freed in Siamese ports from all dues whatsoever, and are
to enjoy the privilege and immunities of vessels of Siam
and of the most favoured nation. The duties or mer-
chandise imported into Siam by French vessels are not
to exceed 3 per cent. of their value, and are to be paid
either in money or kind at the choice of the importer.
Siamese productions destined for export by French vessels
are to pay certain duties specified in a tariff, and exempted
from transit or other dues in the interior of the country.
The French may import and export on payment of
the said nuties, all goods not, at the date of the treaty,
the subject of a . formal prohibition or a special
monopoly. Nevertheless, the Siamese Government
may interdict the export of salt, rice, or fish in the
event of a scarcity, on giving a month's notice. If
the Siamese Government reduces for its own or fereign
vessels import or export duties below those fixed in
the tariff, the reduction is to be immediately extended
to imports and exports made by French vessels. The
French consuls are to see that French captains and
traders execute the regulations agreed to for carrying
out the treaty, and may, in conjunction with the
Siamese authorities, make new regulations. They
may also inflict fines for viola Con of the regale.
tions, bat the sums accruing therefrom are to go
to the Siamese Government. The treaty is to be for
twelve years from the 'date of the ratifications, and
if at the end of eleven years, either power shall express
a desire to have the treaty revised, commissioners are
to be nominated for the purpose. The treaty being draw!'
up in French and Siamese, the French text is to be re;
garded as official in every respect as well as the Siamese.
The Siamese date given to the treaty is Friday, the
14th day of the ascending mom of the ninth of
the Great Serpent one thousand two hundred and
eighteen of the Siamese civil era. Annexed to the
treaty are a series of regUlations for Freud'. com-
merce iu Siam, and tariffs of the export duties on
different descriptions of goods.