Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-08-18
HIS MAJESTY OF SIAM.
A Luxurious Eastern Ruler who Has
Glass Pavilion In u Lake.

Luxurious Eastern Ruler who IIas a
Glass Pavilion In u Lake.
Among the travellers who arrived at
san Francisco from the orient by n re-
cent steamer was one Clark Russell. "A
namcsalSc, but no relative Of the famous
novelist of the sea. lie has been
through Thibet, the dominions Of the
great Lama, travcrscd Manchuria and
Mongolia, the intramural possessions of
China, made incursions into the unfrc-
qucnted wilds Of Siberia, and lattcrlv
has been touring the southern regions
of the continent, Cochin-China. Tonkin
and Siam. He paused for u time at
bangkok, the capital of the kingdom Of
siam, and picked up much information
there.
81 was surprised" he said, "at the
size and appearance Of Bangkok. II Is
the Venice OF the east. The city lies on
both sides OF the River Mcnam. About
twenty miles from the east and on each
side, branching out from the stream.
are a great number Of canals, upon
which the dwellings and public build.
ings arc built. The houses, constructed
OF wood as in most eastern cities, stand
upon piles, and the wash of the waters
around these supports at night makes
a most unique and pleasurable sensa.
tion. 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 clang.
ing OF street car bells, no hide.
ous shouting of salvation hymns,
TO break the spell. Farther down the
river you see tier upon tier of foatinp
houses moored to the bank, in which
large part of the population of
100000 dwell. But that part of Bang.
kok which interests the tourists most
is the section set apart for the king.
The palace Is inclosed In high white
walls, which are n mile In circumfer.
ence. Within them are contained
temples, public offices, seraglios, stables
for the sacred elephant, accommoda.
tions for 1000 troops, cavalry, artil.
lery, war elephants, an arsenal and
theater. The palace OF the king is
equipped in true oriental magnifcence.
Hangings of the costliest tapestry and
mats made of woven silver catch the
eye at every turn. His present
majesty-a luxurious fcllow-had
lately erected structure OF
which the like does not exist in the
world. In summer Bangkok Is steam.
ing sweat-room, and any continuance to
escape from the heat is eagerly enter. /
tanned. Some Chinese architect sug.
gested to the king that he have erected
a glass pavilion in the great reservoir
that occupies part OF the palace grounds. !
He drew the plans, and the scheme
captured the fancy of the king. The I
pavilion Is built. entirely Of glass-
walls, floors ceiling and all-joined by
an indissoluble cement The plates OF |
slabs, of different sorts and thickness
and of variegated colors, were obtained I
in France, whittier an agent had been
sent for the purpose, When put to
gether they formed the prettiest auo
most unique structure that Imagination
can picture.
by mechanical means Il was so ar
ranged that, when empty, the pavilion
would rise 10 the surface Of the minia.
ture lake. At little distance II re,
sanahlss nothing so much asa pretty con
-"nh as might be seen in the
Jurdin des Plants ., 's<is or IN the
gardens at London. Happening NuA
! little later you might wonder whai