Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-11-20

Ai0o SiCohiAS mdCuiucS1 lOI pfep8llug tueir
chief sustenance, everything but what ma
ture has provided for them, is Chinese
Much of this may be laid to the climate
much to want or inducement for improve
ment-in word to oppressive slavery,
which under all circumstances must and
does produce the same effec.s-deteriora-
ton and degradation.
During the middle portions of the day,
which is intensely hot, they sleep; the
morning and evening is Appropriated to
whatever business may need attention. In
fact, Siamese sleeps about three-fourths
of his time. The rest he occupies in chew
ing beteL or drinking tea, while his wife
does the work. The only clothing worn
by the Siamese is the Seranu, or Palai,
which eneireles the waist. The hair is
shaved from the head, with the exception
of small portion on top, in front, which
is allowed to grow to the length of three
or four inches. The beard is thin and
scanty, being seldom visible. They often
pluck ii.
The women dress in the same style as
the men; the younger also wear a pahome,
extending from one shoulder across the
chest in front, under the am-pit on the op-
posite side, covering the breast. The hair
is allowed to grow in the same manner as
that of their lords; they chew betel con-
stantly, which blackens their teeth: and
they may safely challenge the world for
ugliness.
The currency of Siam is silver. 1t con-
sists of Ticals or Baats, Selungs and FL
rungs. The Baat is worth sixty cents and
the Selung fifteen cents, the Firunes about
seven cents. The Curie is also used where
smaller valuations are wanted. These
pieces are made from small bars, which are
cut into pieces of the required size, and the
ends of each piece are made to approximate
by hammering. They are then stamped.
The principal products of Siam are su-
gar, rice, cocoa nut oil, ivory and skins.
The ivory is of fine quality, and highly
valued in China for working up into chess
men, &c.
At Bankok are located several American
missionaries, both Baptist and Presbyterian.
There are, also, French and Portuguese
Catholic missions.
The Americans are worthy men, but
they can produce little or no effect on the
adult population. Their efforts are princi-
pally directed to the youth. 1t must be
a long time before much real change can
be produced on the Siamese.
At the request of the Prime Minister,
the Commodore has taken two boys, one
of them of high rank, to sea in the ship,
to learn English and gain whatever other
information they can. These boys are
great favorites, and are learning quickly.
Before our departure, the King had ar
ranged grand theatrical performance, to
which We We're invited. The royal boats
conveyed us TO the palace. The hall in
which the performances were to take place,
were large, and the stage backed with ap-
propriate scenery. The king and we were
placed on large platform on one side
while we had chairs directly in front.
The royal musicians and singing girls
occupied places directly opposite the plat
form, and kept up what to US was very
dissonant chorus. The principal portion Of
the entertainment consisted in dancing, by
troupe of girles, about fifteen in number.
These girls were all painted dirty yellow
color, and wore dresses of the richest gold
en- brocade. They also wore silver taper
ing finger coverings, which were very long
and bent backward, in imitation of the long
nails so much admired in the East. Their
movements were principally of the arms
and body, posturing. Their feet performed
but few revolutions. They also wore gold
en- crowns.
The Siamese are passionately fond of
these entertainments; and will sit and
witness them for days together. An hour
was sufficient to crafty our curiosity; and
after refreshments, tea, wine and segars
had been served out, we left.
The day being appointed for leave-tak-
ing, Mr.. Harris and the officers then at
Boukok, proceeded in the Kings boats to
the palace. At the landing, we were all
blaced in palanquins, borne on the shoul-
ders of slaves, and carried to the ante
chamber of the audience hail. Having
waited here impatiently over an hour for the
royal pleasure to see us. we were at last
sent for, and ushered into the hall. Here
the King sat on raised seat, with a table
in front of him, on which his tea appara-
tus, and his betel nut box, with waters ew-
ers. These were all golden. PROSTATE on
all fours, on each side of the hall, were the
mobiles Of Siam, about two hundred, dressed
in richly golden brocaded dresses. We
entered. and sat on rugs in front of the
King. During the whole interview, he
poured out tea, drank it, raising the vessel
containing it to the height Of eighteen
inches, and pouring out in long stream,
into the cup. He did not condescend to
offer us any. No chairs or seats of any
kind are allowed in this hall. When the
King retired, the mobiles made three pro-
found bows of the head. He sent for us
afterwards to his private apartments; a
short conversation ensued, leave was taken,
and the ceremonies connected with the
making of the treaty with Siam were con-
cluded.
At 2 P. M, on that day, the flag at the
house of the Embassy was struck, and our
effects being placed aboard the steam yatch,
amid the cheers of all the Americans then
in Bankok, and the stirring strains of our
national air, from the band, we passed
down the beautiful Monam, and early next
morning we were once more aboard of our
floating home.
Yours respectfully, ]. F. S.
SYMPATHY FOR THE FALLEN.-For my |
Part, confess that / have not the heart to |