Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-05-30
SER4GLIO OF THE KING OF
- SIAM. t
The English Ambassador Frightened
Ont Of his Wits-A WOmo,a's
Picture ofLife in the East.

In New York, recently, Mrs. Leon
owens lecture on "Siam, its Court and
Customs" was largely attended. Mrs.
Leonowen was for six years govern
ess to the Court of Siam. At a little
after eight o'clock she tripped upon
| the platform, and deposited a bulky
portfolio on the reading desk. The
gallant and venerable Peter Cooper
stepped forward and volunteered 70
assist her in untying her portfolio.
| The gallant Peter was enthusiastically
applauded. He smiled upon the audi
ence from behind his gold trimmed
spectacles, but wisely held his peace.
Mrs. Leonowen first presented a fine
d-picture of Bankok, the capital of
Siam, which she described as the Ven
ice of the Orient. A large part of the
city is set apart for the use of women,
no one but the king and priests being
allowed to enter its precincts. In this
sacred spot woman's rights are prac-
tically recognized. Women Judges sit
on the bench; women policemen ar
rest delinquents, and women repeaters
will cram the ballot boxes when the
sweet custom of repeating shall have
invaded Siam. Five hundred ANA
IONS have their barracks there, and are
reputed to be very valorous. They are
commanded by an officer called the
Hon-ah-ai-ka. In English this means
"Great Daughter of War" In this
part ofthe city are the gymnaseums,
IN which the grand ladies Of the court
practice daily. One of the most fash
ionIble exercises, According to Mrs.
Leonowen, is that of lifting a straw
from tine floor with the eyIid. This re-
nIarkable feat has been achieved by
the majority of Siamese women.
( One morning being summoned to
attend the king, Mrs. Le0nowen found
about twenty beauties of the harem
PROSTATE before the potentate. Notice
ing Mrs LeonOwen's astonishment,t the
king explained: I.
81 am very much troubled" he said.
NSir john Hay, the English ambassa
dor, wishes to see my pets. / don't
know what to do. Would it be prop
er?'' ca
Certainly" responded the govern
eSs. ~ i.A-
''But he'll go back to Queen Victoria,
and say that my attendants are dark
skinned, and that they backen their
teeth and wear queer dresses. -;
Perhaps" said Mrs. Leonowen.
'.Well," said his majesty, ''take these
young women and EuropearliZe them.
Dress them in English dress and teach
them English manners, so that / can
present them to Sir John Hay"
Mrs. Leonowen took the young wo-
men in hand, and was furnished with
everything she required. Blanching
preparations were called into use,
blonde wigs were constructed, and the
teeth of the Siamese beauties, which
they habitually blacken, were scraped
to pure white. Each fair one was
instructed how to make graceful
courtsey upon being presented TO the
English ambassador.
Next day Sir john Hay arrived in
the seraglio, accompanied by the king.
No women were there Suddenly a
curtain was drawn aside, diclosing
twelve blonde beauties, arrayed in
English evening dress, and gazing
upon him in the most enchanting man.
ner. The first Syren advanced, court
seyed gracefully. This was too much
for Sir John. He had expected to- find
barbarians, and here were Europeans
in manner and dress. He started
back. Then slowly raising his eye
glasses, he adjusted them. The effect
was magical. The twelve courtly
beauties uttered shrek, and, calling
upon heaven for assistance, ran from
the room. The floor was Uttered with
wigs and pads.
"What's all this?" demanded Sir
John.
sits the eyeglasses" returned the
king. '''They thought you were put
ting spell ON them"