The National tribune., 1891-03-26

that except Ia the city, ID is hard to toll whore
thc Iiver ends and the bank begins. In
its muddy water font masses OF bamboo,
which have been detached from some over
hanging bank on ioated out from some mo-
THss. Among these masses may be seen live
snakes Of most poisonous kinds large water
snakes big around rs an ordinary iron slovo-
pipe wiggle across the stream, and occasionally
in food season large wild beasts are seen on
these floating islands
In the city nearly oue-third Of the people
live iu floating houses. Huge bundles al bam-
b0os are tied together upon these platform
is built and On lhis the house, These loIt mp
aud down with the tidal or flood rise aud iail
upou huge perpendicular posts which arc
driven into the bottom. This floating city
takes up fully half the width of the river IN
places, aud has regular streets and canals.
Nearly MI the shops OF produce aud manuiact-
uTcs are here aud one can see the various
tradcsmCu ut their work The real banks arc
cut nd nearly regular distances by canals, 50
that almost all travel is hy boat The city be-
ing On a bend OF the river, short cuts can he
made through the canals by the small boats
ID 4 upon these canal banks ard the end ol the
point that are built the wonderful temples or
WatE, whose sides and piunaCics glaten with
many colored reflections IN the sunlight.
closer inspection shows that bits OF glass ana
china of All kinds arc Embedded pa the surface
cement An broken dishes ANA pottery are
saved 20 ornament some future wat
The end of the point is kept entirely free
from floating houses and here ample steps aud
stone walls prevent washing away, and make
landing on solid earth possible. A wide drive
way is next the water beyond this the Royal
Palaces and the various Enclosures ia which are
kept the sacred animals.
In the religious faith Of Siam the highest
place among the gods Is given 20 the White
Elephant ard such AN animal is held sacred
from Amy m0lu-ttiOu, and by law must be sent
10 the King. For this renson large grounds
are set apart aud q host 81 attendants guard
ana wait upon tHc holy beasts. When one dies
Dc must De buried on lhe spot where life ceases,
60 that when ANY elephant siCAcus, b. is re-
moved 20 outer courts, whore IL can ho buried
without the chance that rs Gcc0mpesIug body
Will drive any of the royal family from their
palaces.
IN tho Kings stables and gardens were II
animals when ] visited there, but ! was much
disappointed both as 10 their size and color.
They were small, OF muddy slate color, The
color Of the eye, pink, being the test Of their
WhitoHe-s aud saCreducsS.
SOON after the ships arrival In Bangkok, the
Captain aud officers had an audioace With tie
KING, whom we found handsome slim young
mar. simply but richly dressed in . native
costume Of black velvet and silk. lie WAS
Bfahle. aud talked French iiucutly, having
been educated do rance. After over an hours
conversation, during which he spoke TO each
officer we rose To retire, and then be requested
that we would use any OF bis steam yachts az
amy time, and particularly placed one, with
his royal barge 40 our disposition, suggesting
that perhaps q trip mp the river 10 the old
Capital, Ayogthia HOw a ruin, aud an elephant
hunt, might be amusing aud serve 10 pass
away time. III We made this trin. he expressly
requested that we should utilize his palace az
Baupp5yiu both going and coming, and, in
order that We I'd gut feel quite at home there,
be would send his bIothcr-in-law with us rs
master Of ceremonies. This invitation was
most generous, and given in so nice q way that
we could not fail 10 appreciate il. Accepting
DE- with many expressions Of pleasure, We with
drew. Ills Chamberlain requested THAT when
q convenient Time was arranged, we would let
him know.
Upon our return 70 the shin, little canvass
ing among the officers showed that there were
only three who were willing 90 expose them
selves 90 the climate on the river Tor several
nights anu days, but ID took more than 90 iu
tle shade and "a worse climate, 90 keep Jack
BILLY, ~ myself from uu elephant hunt. We
did not care much Tor ruins on scenery, except
with wild beasts SIS foreground, and dead
ones as THE ruins. The Captain fearing that
thrce would be too slim party ordered two
lnoTe, the doctor ana another who WAS 10 take
scientific observations and make a report.
Early thu neat forenoon the King aud suite
visited the ships, aud the young Prince who
was 30 20 with as uD Che river cuHc 10 make
our acquaintance. After a collation. the King
went ashore, but The Prince 90 our urgent re-
qncst remained, aud from him VIC learned the
iuil extent Of the Kings munilcenco The
barge Nas al ready. everything was provided
and 0n provisions wines guns, tents,
EGFVHHtB We could lUaFe 40 once on in week ;
We could be- gone Two DAYS or month: we
Hcfa p he the guests Gi the King, and he had
pIUg..rl m9-t royalty. ID Wa- u-.. less 90 de-
muir inc Prince seemed % think ID SO per-
iccuv proper that wp tried not 10 seem aston
l-Hed. Jisd we al been crowned beads from
Europe o could not have done much more.
Aitara has'y consultation we decided 10 go tie
next day. IHIs pleased tIc Prince, who. we
BIafHaId found 0Ut had q sweetheart ut the
paiacc up tHe river, aud was anxious 10 get
there. Promising % come lgr us 40 nine the
following morning, hc went or shore, leaving
a. to lse interchange Of our ACCOMPLISHMENT aud
delight.
True 10 bis word, the Prince came or 10 tho
slip GO mine. llo came with both boats The
barge was % long pleasure boat, with q solid
canopy over l Hul side curtains. COM Portable
CEa1a rHa O table were near iip bows. while on
tlu sItp uul.r "a -.at which ram around the
whole taat WcEC nice CHl8saTds, ia which were
stored Ohio ylluus articles for our com Tort.
Long extensions .aiIs oI bamboo 'rcrC ready
f1g l. aua artaHta DOB iiyefy stood ready o. 90
0nI bidding aHH al ill s.,Iu 0l ihr boat arHllu
with four hummDeEs and aIi talfet grcnmm0-
a.tH0Us IherD WH- nothing that d could think
81 l.aI Was uDl there l0T lHn asking.
f.u#Iug oUr traps iut0 tGo boat we were
TC.ay ana followed tic Prince, who gave the
NUla fH Che HI..It.u ~ tIe boat. uud SIC ftDauI-