Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-11-22
ruE LAND OF THE WHITE EhE
PLANT.
Geography, Climate, Governments hS"S'
Language, Courtshlp, Marriage aud he-
neion of Siam.

Geography, Climate, Government Laws
Language, Courtship, Marriage aud he-
hgion of Siam.
Owing to the inclemencv OF the
weather. but smalI number cf persons
visited the First PRESBYTERIAN Church
last night to hear the lecture OF Rev. h.
P Dunlap, on the snbject Of "Siam, the
Land of the White Elephant.
The speaker, who has spent many
wears i'm Siam as missionary, said that
much of the information gwen US oil
Siam is unreliable, because those who
gave il merely visited Barkok, the
capital, and know nothing al the bar
baritv that prevails IN the interior. lie
indicated the books from which correct
information could be obtained, nclnd-
ing Gen. Grants Tour. He "dt,inen
the route 10 be taken IN going 10 Siam,
told that its distance was ABOUT l2,UCO
miles from here, and proceeded 70 des
cribe tie manners and customs OF the
people. ho
White ElcDnant, and the White Re.
phaIt MAS To the SIancse what me
American eagle Is TO us. 1t Is iookeu
upon as the national emblem and re-
yarded as the symbol of good luck. Ihe
lecturer then described the treatment
OF he White Elephant and the homage
paid to it, The Slamese believe IN the
transmigratiOn OF the SOU, and the SOUS
of the noblest, pass, after death, INTO
the noblpst OF animals, the Nnlte h'e-
plant.
Inc Government OF Siam : dual
monarchy. The first king IS absolute
in power, and the second Is a mere
figure. head. The name Of the second
king is George Washington. We would
like TO punish the name OF the hrst
king but we cannot spare the space.
The present king has manifested a great
desire for the advancement OF the
interests of his people. tie has
built them fine museum, IS
affOrding them all possible educational
opportunities, and IS trying To obtain
teitgraphic and postal communication
with the outside world. The country Is
divided into tiity-LwO provinces, ever
each one oil which rules GOVERNOR
who is also Judge OF The Courts Of lIe
province. The courts are very corrupt
torture being frequently used 10 eXtofI
testimony from witnesses and comics
siops from criminals. The lecturer
read the oath of Il witness in the SlameSe
court which called for the direct curses
on the witness head ii he dId not ten
the truth. The rate OF taxation III Siam
had freuuently reached 35 per cent.
The climate OF the country Was next
described. The year consisted OF two
seasons, wet and dry, and the thermom'
e.rr, even in winter never stood below
IS.
Bankok, the capital, was the "Eeaire
of the East" and haU u population o.
$4,000. A river formed its thorough
fare, and canals running in every dlr,c-
ton were its streets Many oi
its inhabitants lived in floating
houses, and these con'd nov"
without the tyibulaIjoGs o.:
strained backs and badly fitting stove
pipes which so annoy American house
keepers. The lecturer then proceeded
to describe the houses OF the Sam'sr,
and produced several interesting s"ecl'
mems ami models OF their furniture.
The dress OF Siamese lady was pro
duCed, and consisted 81 three yards 0!
cloth and a silk scarf
The language OF Siam was described
as monosyIabic, and therefore not 4
rich one. though it has nI"n enriched
bv the Chinese and Dialect OF the
Sanscr;t, which was the religious IAN
guage of the country. The speaker
gave numerous amusing incidents arts.
ing from the slight distinctions IN sound
in words OF vastly different meaning.
Inc speaker then called upon Little
Lucv," small Siamtse girl, whom ne
has brought to this country, and VINO
came forward and after putting on the
Siamese dress, sang several hymns IN
no. own language, assisted by Mr.. Dun
lap
Jurtship and marriage in Siam We're
dIscOurSed upon, the cruel treatment by
Buddhism OF the women Of the east
described, and the declaration made
that 1T remains for the Christian
women of our country to bring 70 their
sisters in SIAN the one religion that
offers them Il Saviour"
ne literature VI .IisAlAl woo iti't'-iN
and it's medicine quack. Its dead were
disposed of by cremation, and the
occasion was generally one accompanied
by great festivities.
The religion Of Siam was that Taught
by Buddha, who died 543 L. &. His re-
ligion is simply atheism. He performed
miracles, but they We're not 10 Uc COM
pared with the miracles Of Jesus, which
brought comfort to human hearts. lis
teachings were fabulous, his worship
idolatrv. and the sum and substance OF
his religion might be expressed in the
word "selfishness." 1t Is neither better
nor worse than any other religion build
ed up by man.
Tho lecturer concluded by saying:
at remains for the Son OF righteousness
To dispel the darkness and give HE ard
light to this brnighted land, Tor Jesus
lives already in the hearts and lives OF
many Siampse people, and we believe
that through his life and low" and pow
or Siam will yet live