Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-06-29
WOMEN OF SIAM. .
More Beautiful and Intellectual than Thsif
Eastern Sisters.

The Hon. d. Il. Sickles, late United
States representative at the court OfSi-
AM, in recent lecture thus describes
the women Of Siam and the Queen con-
sort: ~
The native women of Siam are re-
markably handsome, and, though some
what diminutive, they are naturally
graceful in their movements, and excel
the men in intelligence and shrewdness.
They are the cashiers in almost every
native establishment, and are consider
ed safer guardians Of the money-box
than the proprietors, or even their own
husbands. to whom they dole out the
copper OTIS or silver fuangs with fire.
quent precautions and admonitions.
Although, in accordance with Eastern
ideas, they are regarded as inferior to
men in every respect, there are few
countries where they so thoroughly de-
monstrate and maintain their equality
as they do in Siam. In every well or
ganized and properly conducted busi-
ness house they are acknowledged to be
Indispensable, and nearly all the null
titudinous native hongs and retail es-
Establishments at Bankok, as well as
those in the remote provinces OF the
realm, are either owned or managed by
them. They seem to possess genius
for trade, and are marvelously success
full in all kinds of mercantile pursuits.
As saleswomen in the native shops they
are precise and persistent in making .
bargain, and always win their custom
ers by genial craftiness that is too fas
cinating to resist an unaffected plausi-
biiity that disarms suspicion. The
Chinese merchants who settle in Siam
and engage in trade have keen appre-
citation of these qualities, and select Si-
amese women for their wives in prefer
ence to those of their own race, who gre
seldom capable of becoming anything
but menials or toys. Thus, with the
Eurasians on one hand, and the Siamo-
Chinese on the other, that section of the
far east is being gradually peopled by
new-formed races, in which only few
distinguishing traces of the a, cestral
type will ultimately be found. Siamese
women are also important factors in the
body polite. In the state, as well as in
the household, she performs part
which commands the respect of even
those who pretend to despise her sex.
In the palace her will is 'the power be-
hind the throne greater than the thron
itself'' Her Majesty the Queen Con-
sort. though unprecedented as the royal
spouse, is, nevertheless, practically su-
preme in influence if not in authority.
She is less beautiful than some of the
inmates of the royal mansion, but more
noted for her ability and intelligence
than any of the women that surround
the court. The young king has been
devotedly attached to her from his boy
hood, and denies her nothing that his
generous nature can bestOw to complete
her happiness. 1t is even asserted that
he would destroy the time-honored Gus
tom of the country by casting aside his
other wives if she demanded it. She is
his constant companion at home and ac-
companies him on every journey, and
was informed by missionary lady who
has been frequent visitor at the palace
for many years that in the affairs of
state he relies more upon her judgment
than upon the advice of the members of
the privy council, who are presumed to
be skilled in the subtle art of statecraft
and diplomacy. Besides being amiable,
intelligent, industrious, and frugal, she
is gifted with good sense and endowed
with other admirable virtues.