Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-02-16
MY Visit to the birthplace of the
Siamese Twins.

NY Visit to the birthplace OF the
Siamese Twins.
Just before leaving the United States for
our Oriental tour, my husband and 1
sought out these famous twins, and learn
ed from them where they were born and
the place where their parents were still
living, determined, If possible, TO see both.
Soon afler we were domesticated in the
country we began our search; and it was
to me quite little gala day, still remem-
bered with pleasure, that 1 spent in the
early home of Chang and Eng, dining in
the front room of the little cabin where
these boys had so often romped in child
ish glee handling the queer little suits of
blue nankeen, the first the twins had ever
worn after their baby garments, aud which
the loving mother bad preserved Az re-
minders OF her wonderful children; aud
plucking roses from the very trees the
boys had planted and called by their own
names, before leaving their native land for
ever.
1t was about Thirty miles southwest OF
Bangkok, tbe capital Of Siam, in a little
fishing village called Ma Klaung, that
these twins were born. The house, a
thatched cottage OF bamboo, fronting on
the "Great Canar' which gives name TO the
village, was still standing at the time Of
our visit, and The very spot where the era
die Of Chang and Eng used TO hang on the
long, low veranda, was pointed out 10 us.
From this house the family removed 10
Bangkok, when the twins were in their
second year ard the boyhood of the boys
was passed in the little cottage four miles
from the city, where we found their par
ents. The house was of the sort known in
Siam SIS" floating houses" one-story build
ings, moored on the river bank, and kept
in place by large poles on each side, driven
firmly into the muddy bottom.
The lille cot was built of teak boards,
and rooted with attdp leaves; and contain
ed, besides the long veranda overlooking
the river, four pleasant rooms, Of which
the front one was a shop as well as sitting
room, and on the occasion of our visit serv-
ed likewise as a dining-hall. Here, the
father piled his trade OF catching fish, and
the young mother sold wares in her shop.
Occasionally the twin brothers went out
like all Oriental children learned to swim,
and spent much Of their lime in the water.
One day, while swimming in front of
their cabin, they were observed by Mr..
Robert Hunter, Scotch merchant who re-
sided in Bangkok. Astonished at seeing
the children keep always so close together,
and how perfectly alike were the move
ments Of the two, Mr.. Hunter stopped TO
ascertain the cause. One can imagine his
surprise at the strange sight revealed when,
as he talked TO the mother, the twin boys
came up from the water and stood before
him. This was in the year 1924, when the
lads were about twelve years old, and from
that time Mr.. Hunter never gave up the
hope of being able 10 get them off TO Eu-
rope for exhibition.
At first the parents would not hear of be-
ing deprived of their wonderful children,
even for time; but the lads themselves
became interested in the glowing accounts
they heard OF the "outside world" and
grew anxious 10 take peep at its wonders.
1t was not strange that they should have
felt such desire; for, bound together as
they were, of course they were cut OFF from
most of the boyish sports that they saw
their young companions enjoying, and
their life promised, at best, but painful
monotony.
Finally, when in the year 1899 an Amer
lean vessel, commanded by Captain Coffin,
arrived at Bangkok, such offers were made
as induced the parents TO part with their
twin boys "for few years." and before
they had time to change their minds the
vessel had sailed for Europe aud the Uni
ted States.
met Mr.. Hunter frequently during my
stay in Siam, and from him learned Of his
finding and sending off the twins. He said
they were quiet, well-behaved boys, who
gave no trouble during the voyage, nor ev-
er seemed sorry that they had set out on 30
long journey.
The "Siamese Twins" as we call them,
were not Siamese, after all, but the sons of
a Chinese father who spoke the TIL Chen
dialect, and a mother, one of whose parents
was Chinese, and the other Siamese. So in
regard TO parentage, Chang and Eng were
really three-fourths Chinese, and only one
fourth Siamese. We always heard them
spoken Of, in Bangkok, as the "CAinese
twins" even by their parents, who never
seemed to remember either the boys birth