The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-25
HAPPY KING OF SLAM,

In Hot Weather He Packs Himself Away I'm
Glass Case at the Bottom of Lake.
San Francisco Examiner.
Among the travellers who arrived from
the Orient By a recent steamer was one
Clark Russell, q namesake but no relati
Of the famous novelist of the sea. Mr..
RUSSELL, made rich by the prudent care
and acquisitlveness of his father. a manu-
tacturer of cutlery at Sheffield, has spent
the last four years In wandering about the
continent OF Asia picking up odds and ends,
scientific and curlous. which IL IS his
intention to embody in q book. He has
been through Thibet. the dOmIniOns of the
Great Lama. traversed Manchuria and
Mongolia. the intra-mural possessions of
China. made incnrsions into the uDfre-
quented wilds of Siberia, and latterly has
been touring the southern regions of the
continent. Cochin China. TOnkin, and
Siam. de paused for time at Bangkok.
the capital of the kingdom of Siam. and
picked up much interesting information
there There is one story that he tells that
will especially cOmrend itself to the
seekers after the strange and the novel.
81 was surprised" he said at the palace
of Bangkok. 1t is the Venice of the East.
The city lies on both sides of the River
Menam. About twenty miles from the
east and on each side. branching out from
upon which the dwellings and public
buildings are built. The buildings, con-
structed of wood. as in most Eastern cities.
stand upon piles. and the wash
of the waters around these sup
ports at night make most unique
and pleasurable sensation. 1t is as
though you were borne along on
gently moving river. for the city is as
silent as metropolis, and there are no
sounds, no changing of street-car bells. no
hideous shouting of salvation hymns to
break the spell. Further down the river
You see tier upon tier of toaUing houses
moored to the bank. in which q large part
OF the population dwell.
But that part of Bangkok which inter
ests the tourists most Is the section set
apart for the king. The palace Is Enclosed
In high white walls which are o
mile In circumference. Within them
seraglios, stables for the sacred ele-
phant, accommodations for one thousand
troops. cavalry, artillery, war elephants.
an arsenal and a theater. The palace of
the King is equipped in true Oriental
magnitcence. Hangings of the costliest
tapestry ana mats made of woven silver
catch the eye at every turn. HIS present
Malesty-a luxurious fellOw-had lately
erected a structure of which the like does
not exist In the world. In summer Bang
kOk is steaming sweat-room, and any
continuance to escape from the heat is
eagerly entertained.
Some Chinese architect suggested to
the King that he have erected a glass
pavilion IN the great reservoir that occu-
pies part of the palace grounds. He drew
the plans and the scheme captured the
fancy of the King The pavilion is built
entirely of gass-walls, floors, and ceiling,
and all-joined by an indissOluble cement.
The plates. or slabs. of different sorts
and thicknesses, and variegated colOrs
were obtained in France, whittier an
agent had been sent for the purpose
When put together they formed the pref
test and most unique structure that i'm
agination can picture. The Chinese archi-
tect. true to the genius of his race, had
ornamented it with quaint turrets and
gables that made 1t seem q toy house.
by mechanical means 1t was so arranged
that when empty the pavilion would rise to
the surface of the miniature lake. At a lit
tie distance it resemb les nothing so much
as pretty conservatory, such as might be
seen In the Jardin des Plants Mt Paris or in
the gardens at London. Happening along
q little later you might wonder that had
become of the pavilion. An attendant
would tell you that the king was taking
recreation with his h8rem at the bottom of
the lake and point to the spire-like venti-
latOrs rising above the level of the placid
surface as evidence of the truth of what he
tells you.
by one door only can the King enter.
and this closes Theoretically after him. At
once the editce begins to sink. the valv es
few minutes 1t is resting beneath the placid
waters. There in his cool and perfectly
dry habitation. with the e0ftehed light
trickling through the panes of colored and
figured glass. the King spends the hot sum-
mer days, singing, smoking, eating and
drinking. with his harem and favorites
about him."