The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-01-28
AMAzoNs OF SIAM.
THE KINGS BODY GUARD OF 400 HAND
SOME woNFN WARRIORS.

Among the visitors to the London
ext bition has been the young
Prince of Siam, brother to the king.
He is 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 ex-
hibition, during his visit he made a
most careful inspection of the goods
in the main building and spent
thousands of dollars on all the USE
full things he SEW which were up to
the present time unknown to Siam.
He gave an order for 100 typewrit-
ers to one manufacturer, a larger
order for safes to another, ordered
four dozen carpet sweepers, steam
engine, and number of other inge-
NOUS things which attracted his at
tention, so that these exhibitors
have the satisfaction of knowing
that they he re opened a market for
themselves in Siam at no greater eX-
pense than going to the American
exhibition. The fashion having
been set by the prince, large orders
for these goods he assured them
would follow; it would therefore
appear that the people in this coun-
try, which very few of us stop to
realize is twice as large in it's area
as France, and has population of
about 100000 people, are all
making rapid strides towards civil
cation.
He gave us some curious informa-
ton, however, about the kings
amazons, the Royal Guard being
compo@ed entirely of women. This
battalion consists of four hundred
women, chosen from among the
handsomest and most robust girls in
the country. Theyreceive 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 &c. 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 vow of chastity, for which
there is no exemption unless any of
them should attract the kings at
tention and be admitted among his
legitimate wives. The kings choice
seldom falls on the most beautiful,
but on the most skilled in military
exercises. The costumes these
women wear is very rich. Their
full dress is composed of a white
wooden robe, embroidered with gold.
The cloth is extremely fine and de-
sends as far as the knee; it is COW
cred with light coat OF mail and 8
gilt cuirass. The arms are free and
the head is covered with a gill
casque. When wearing this dres:
on state occasions their only wea
pom is lance, which they handle
with wonderful deXterity. Will
their undress they are armed with ;
musket. The battalion is composed
of four companies, and each com
pany of 100 women is commanded
by captain of their own sex
Should the captain die the compan,
is drilled during three days by thu
king, who appoints the most com
petent to succeed to the command
The king of Siam never under
takes any expedition without beins
accompanied by his female guard
nor does he ever hunt, or even ride
without an escort of the same guard
who are devotedly attached to hi
person. Every individual of tn
battalion has five negresses attache
to her service, ard, having thus II
domestic occupation, she can devot
herself exclusively to the duties {
her profession. There is parad
ground near the city, where OF
company is stationed for two day
every week to exercise themselvt
in the use of the lance, the pisa
and the rifle. The king attenC
companied by his brother, wi
shares in some degree the sovereie
power, and distributes prizes to Il
most deserving. When the dea
of one of the parties ensues the d
ceased receives magnificent fun
raj, and the high priest pronounc
panegyric declaring that the d
ceased by her valor, has merit
eternal rest in tae abode of the bic
sed. The survivor receives the co
CALCULATIONS of her companions, b
as measure of discipline, she
sentenced to pass two months aw
from her company, in fasting a
prayer. The military organizati
of this battalion is SO perfect til
the entire army endeavor to imita
it.-[Chicago Tribune.
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