, 1873-01-02
LIFE IN SIAM.
Tho River nteinnm-A 4vnn.nn'a sCIty
,-FOrtnrc-Iunronn Lifo and. EdMcna

Tho River nteinam-A von.nn'. sCItY
-T0rturc-Inuron LILO ana. EdMcn-
tlosi.
Mrs. Anna H. Leonowcng, author of ''Tlo
just published, through Elasprs. James Il. Os-
good Il Co., tho boston publishers, another book
nbout tlla land III tho far East, Will, which sho
Is no intimately acquainted. From hor onter-
topics Of interest. Iho frat bearp ion tho IN
,lnt!nsonn OF tho Mclnsm md the l'npulHr fon-
llvitles ut tho BulBidonco Of the flood III this
NILE OF HAM.
" Tho great river Afeinanl iH tho Milo OF Siam.
Risng among tho southern slopes Of tho hnow-
covored mountains Of Yunan, 1t trarerHes the
wholo 1onglh Of tho valley. reculving In Its
course the .watera OF many otllcr streams, tho
most important being tho, NIoiklong, which In
ito longsh Of nearly ono Thousand milos drnins
Ano!ent annals relate that in tho fifteenth and aa
lato az the seventeenth century, Chinose junks
ascendod tho river as far aa sangka!ok, nearly
ono hundred and twenty leagues from Its mouth;
now, owing to tho increasing alluyial depoait,
at mort. In tho month Of Juno, tho. noun
tain SHOWS begin to melt, tho doluging
rains OF the wet ncanon set III tho strong houth-
erly winds dam up tho waters OF tho Menau1,
and It begins to rise-sn oyent most oagorly
looked for by tho people, and hniled BY them a.
blossiug from Honyop. In August tho inunda-
ton is at its lloght, anh tho whole vast valley is
like one imnlenBe soa, In which towns and VII
lg l|agss look liAo slaaas eonaoGt'd '9 BY draw;
orchards, tho tops OF which only are noon, whilo
boats pass to and fro without injury to the rico
and other crops htnrting benoath them. Tho
whole valley Is intersectod by canals, some Of
far ss posaiblo tle benefits Of this grand opera
ton OF nnture but tho land aituaiod about tho
middle Of this groat plhn doriso tho greatest aa-
vantage therofTo1n.
Nh.a &xJntf $@ Al
reached its hoight q deputation of Taiapoins, or
priostn, aent by the King, descended tho river
In magnificent state bargos and with ol,antH and
iucantaeions and movements Of magical wauas
command tho waters to retire. Souotimes
bowover, tho calculations provo to have been
incorrect, tho river continues to rise, aud 1t is
they who arc compelled To retro, filled with
chagriu and disappointment. Tho popular river
festival, which takes place after tho wators begin
to auhbile, both in origin and character belongs
It in au annual festival held at night, and tho
erel.e which il exhibited during its celebration
is exceedingly beautiful. The banks OF tho
Main; alsinam arc brilliantly lighted up; accom- ,,
of roeketa a number Of doeting pal
aco9, built on rata, como sailing down
tho htream, proceeded by thousands OF lamps and
lanterns Wreathed with chaploa OF nowors, whicl,
Of the flashing wator. Tho rats, which arc
or, arc orton Of considerable extent, and lilo
utructnres which they bear arc such III Tiania
l,orself might delight to inhabit. Towers, gates
arches, and pngodasrIso in fantastic army, bright
with thousand colors, and shining in tho light
Of nuinberlcBs creasotg-no tho lairy-1ikc spccta-
clio moves OH, while adlniring crowds Of mon,
women, and children throng the bnuks of tho
river not ony to Join ths ,4i1 brilliant Pageant but
rcrchaDce, with 4 single lamp, yet full OF life'a
brightest hopey, M it foRts unoxtinguished
dowu tho rapid stroam, glmmoring OIL with rud-
dy tlame amidst the shadows Of nght.'
She thus deGoribeH, aftor a short yketch Of
Bangkok, capital Of Siam and venico Of tho East,
-Auh we hope oLr wonlan'H Fighters will pondor
this description
THE woMAx's CITY.
"Not far from thin il another seniciscN1ar
space, surrounded by II high wall, which delonds
all entrance to tho pArt euclose1 by tho inner Ut
ths two parallel wallis before montioued; md
hero Glands tho City Of tho Nnng Harm, or
Foilod Women. In this city 1.-Two nono but won,-
eli aud children. Horo the houses OF tho Hoy
tivcs Of the King, with their numerous slaves
and personal attendants, form regular strastu
and ayenuoB, with small parks, arlitcial lakes,
and groups of fine trocB scattered over miuinturo
lawns and beautiful tlo~er-sardons. 9hese are
tho trees, may bo seon tho many
towored and gilded roofs Of tho grand royal pal
aee brilliant M m as aSpphlIo n .tte apnl1ght Gnd
70 LUIS .ho o!" pa.ace W ou'tl u WHICH 10 Pr
Vata eoYeIea entrance lor lno n women ~ Ihe
ona o. oaGh q 'hssa passages IN paa,tellel
representing tne ncaa o. an enormou9 epnynS,
WIN SWORD throush Tue montn, ana tnls IN.
scription Eettor shat bWord pc thruat
through my mouth Tran that thou utter word
against nm VINO rnletA On Nigh NOT Tar ffom
this arc the barfecks OF tho Amazona, the
wonon'B hall OF justice, and the dungeons
{Where, as I'll unyB OF Old, fo1na!e 1udEos daily
a0mlhleleT 1nbtlCo 10 the lnuaplthnlH OF tAlb
woman.s clty). tho beautiful temple, with its
long, dina gallery and antique Rtyle Of architcc-
ture, III which taught tho royal children, the
Gymnanlun, anu tho tloatfe,, where tho
IrlncoHsea anu great ladles aebomblo every aftor-
noon to gossip, play games, or watch tho e1or-
cises of tho dancing-girla. =.
IN tho southern part Of this strange city,
which il slio .nott popnlouo, tho mechanical
live and ply their trndos Tor tho profit Of
their mlatrossos. This "omaa's city IL na uslf-
supporting AS any other IN the world. II Las
jHlE ItH flfFI Ff7UGn al