The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-10

PICTURES OF STRANGE LANDS.


FROM the Cnlc9gO tribune.
Among the visitors TO the London exhibition
has been the young prince Of Siam, brother TO
the king. He is a little man, but has an olive
complexion and black eyes, speaks English
perfectly, and has charming manners. As an
example of one of the good results of the
American exhibition, during his visit he
made most careful inspection of the goods
i'll the main building and spent thousands
of dollars on all the useful things he
saw which were up to the present time
unknown to Siam. lie gave an order for 100
typewrlters to one manufacturer, larger or
der for safes to another, ordered four dozen
carpet sweepers, a steam engine, and anumber
OF other ingenious things which attracted his
attention, SO that these exhibitors have the
satisfaction of knowing that they have opened
market for themselves i'll Siam at no
greater expense than going to the Amer
lean exhibition. The fashion having been set
by the prince. largo orders for all these goods
he assured them would follow; twould there
fore appear that the people in this country,
which very few of us stop to realize is twice as
large in its area as France, and has popula-
ton of about 100000 people, are all making
rapid strides toward modern civilization.
He gave us some curious information, how
ever about the kings amazons the Royal
Guard being composed entirely of women.
This battalion consists of four hundred
women, chosen from among the handsomeSt
and robust girls in the country. They receive
good pay, and their discipline is perfect. They
are admitted to serve at the age of Is, and are
placed in the army of reserve at the age of rs.
From that period they no longer serve about
the kings person, but are employed to guard
the royal palaces and the crown lands.
On entering the army the amaZOns make a
vow of chastity, for which there is 10
exemption unless any of them should at
tract the kings attention and be adj
mitted among his legitimate wives. The
kings choice seldom falls on the most beauti-
full, but on the most skilled in military eNer-
cises. The costume these women wear is very
rich. Their full dress is composed of n white
wooden robe, embroidered with gold. The
cloth is extremely fine and descends as far as
the knee; it is covered with light
coat of mail and n gilt cuirass.
The arms are free and the head covered with
q Gilt caSQue. When wearing this dress on
state occasions their only weapon is a lance,
which they handle with wonderful deXterity.
With their undress they are armed with
a musket. The battalion is composed of
four companies, and each company of
100 women is commanded by a captain of their
own sex. Should the captain die the cOmpa-
ny is drilled during three days by the king,
who appoints the most competent to succeed to
the command.
The king of Siam never undertakes any ex-
petition without being accompanied by his
female guard, nor does he ever hunt,
or even ride. without al cs-
cort If the Same guard who are devotcdly at
tachcd to his person. Every individual of the
battalion has five negresSeS attached to her
SERVICE and, having thus no domestic occupa-
ton, she can devote herself exclusively to the
duties of her profession There is q
parade ground near the city, where one
company are stationed for two DAYS
every week to exercise themselves in the use
of the lance, the pistol and the rifle The
king attends once a month at those exercises,
accompanied by his brother who shares in
some degree the sovereign power, and distrib-
UteS prizes to those most deserving When the
death Of one Of the parties Cnauos the
deceased receives magnificent funeral,