Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-07-25
s lam L.

Sir John Bowring has given an account o.
Siam, and the two kings Of that country. lie
says:
| Persons who know little Of the state o
! Siam, will be surprised to learn that the first
! king is well versed IN the works of Euclid and
Newton that he writes and speaks English
with tolerabe accuracy that he is prof.
cient in Latin, and has acquired the Sanscrit
Cingaliese and Pagan languages that he
can project and calculate eclipses of the sun
and moon, and occultations Of the planets
| that he is fond Of all branches of learning and
| science that he has introduced printing
press, with Siamese and English type and
that his palace and table are supplied with all
the elegancies of European life. He lived
twenty-seven years in retirement before be
came to the throne, and during that time he
acquired the accomplishments which make
his reign memorable and most beneficial
era in Siamese history. lie was born in 1904,
and is now consequently hfty-three years Of
age"
The second king, (his brother,) appears TO
be equally estmable :
My intercourse with the second king was,
ID ull respects, most agreeable. ] found him
agentleman Of very cultivated understanding;
quiet, even modest in manners; willing to
communicate knowledge, and earnest in search
OF instruction.. His table WAS spread with
all The neatness and order that are found in a
well-iegulated English household. A favor
lie child sat on his knees, whose mother re-
mained crouched at the door of the apart
ment, but took no part in the conversation
The king played to his guests very prettily
on the pipes Of the Laos portable organ. He
had variety of music and there was an ex-
hibition Of national sports and pastimes
equestrian feats, elephant combats. and OF her
amusements but what seemed most to in-
terest the king was his museum of models,
nautical and philosophical instruments, and
variety OF scientific and other curiosities,
These kings reign, each in prescribed limits,
in perfect harmony. This double monarchy
is an old institution Of Siam, and is popular
with the people"
The Siamese, by the report OF Sir John,
are amiable and intelligent race, with high
degree OF civilization in ali that relates TO So
cal institutions. They profess the faith Of
8uddah, and seem aflectioratey, though not
bigotedly, attached TO it. They are willing
to engage in controversy with our miSsiona-
rles, and show much acuteness in their argu-
mcnts. The author relates:
81 found no ndispostion among tie Sia-
mese to discuss religious questions, and the
general result of the discussion was: Your
religion is excellent for you, and ours is ex-
cellent for u.s. All countries DO not produce
the same fruits and flowers, and we find va
rious religions suited to various nations" The
present king is so tolerant that he gave three
thousand slaves, (prisoners of war; TO be
taught religion by the Catholic missionaries,
saying: "You may make Christians of these
people, Pallegoix, the Catholic bishop,
who is great iavorlte with his majesty re-
ports several conversations with the first
king, which do honor to his liberal spirit
" Persecution is hateful" he said "every
man ought to be free to profess tho religion
he prefers y and he added "lf you convert
a certain number of people anywhere, let me
know you have done so, and ] will give them
a Christian governor, and they shall not be
by Siamese authorities" | have q
letter from the king, in which he says that
the inquiries into the abstruse subject Of the
Godhead, 1--WE cannot tell who is right aud
who is wrong; but | will pray my God to
give you his blessing, and you must pray to
your Godsto bless me ; aud so blessings may
descend upon both