New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-30

OF Cnristians In their Observance Of tho Sabbath
lie reformed the executive and judicial branches
vi tue government lightened taxafi,n nartially
apoishcu slavery, opened new canals and roads
'S'aolisneo an admirable postal service built
""s'dphs' lighthouses and railroad surveyed
and improved all navigable waters: founded a
fine system Of public schools. bullt bospitals
asylums, temples and art museums. introduced
innumcrable useful inventions. and set TO his
people personally an admirable example of vrtu-
ous temperate Industrious, upright and exalted
manhood.
THE sIAMEsE CAPITAL
The royal capital was formerly Ayutha But
that city was destroyed during Burmese in
vasion more than a hundred years ago, and since
that time Bangkok has been the capital. The
centennial anniversary of its elevation TO that
rank was celebrated in 1879 with fine exhibition
of arts and industries At about the same time
the King took possession of his new palace. which
had been eight years in building and had cost
nearly S2,OOO,000 It is really splendid
structure. resembling in architecture many mod
crn European buildings. and presenting striking
contrast TO the old-time palaces which still adorn
the city. The audience chamber and throncroom
is vast apartment with floor of marble
mosaic and a ceiling fifty feet above of exquisite
iewelled glass II contains three huge crystal
chandeliers, which were originally intended for
the palace Of the Emperor of Austria. Along the
walls stand many trees and shrubs. with leaves
Of solid gold and trunks and branches heavily
plated with the same metal. These are the
tributes paid to the King annually by the chiefs
Of various provinces. such as Laos and the Shan
States. The Kings throne is on raised marble
platform. and above it are the royal umbrellas
which form a conspicuous part Of the insignia.
On elaborate occasions the King takes his place
on this throne, clad in the ancient Siamese robes
| Of office. his clothing almost solidly incrustcd
with jewels. and crown Of gold and Jewels
rising. like a minarct, some two feet above his
| brow.
Near the palace is the great temple in which
| tho King wOrships with it's famous Shrine Of the
Emerald idol" Like the other numerous Buddhist
temples. it is building of majestic proportions.
| adorned with richness and beauty beyond de-
scription The so-called Emerald Idol is really
m image of Buddha Gautama. eighteen inches
high. made Of one huge piece of pure green Jasper.
Its origin is lost in antiquity. Certainly il has
been in existence for many centuries. and both
in Laos and in Cambocia stories concerning it
abound All that is positively known is that four
and half centuries ago it removed from
| Chiangrai TO Gimme. then. afterward succrssvcly
| TO Lampang. TO Kiang Chan. and in 1919. TO
Bangkok. This Jasper image stands upon a golden
throne thirty-four feet high and is gorgeous!v
| arrayed with ornaments of gold and precious
stones.
The old royal palace was nclosrd within white
walls mile in circuit. and comprised not only
the Kings residence, but also temples, theatres,
fortrcsses etc, and was inhabited by some six
or seven thousand persons half Of them sol Tiers.
In the great audience hall there used 70 hang
engraved portraits OF various rulers including the
President of the United States Another apart
mort was known as the Hall Of Royal Pleasure,
and was devoted to scientific instruments. machines
books. and objects eli interest gathered from all
! parts Of tho world
The city Of Bangkok itself is a strange min
Cling of beauty and ugincss,' Of civilization AMI
| barharism One observes this in the very APP
| proach to il. The Menam is broad. fine river.
| skirted with forests OF such vivid green as may
! scarcely he found elsewhere, with fields CAV with
flowers. and with picturesque villages. Yet the
stream is a sewer. rocking with loathsomcncss,
| and one turns from its water. thick with oEal,
sickened and discusted. The city itself Is thirty
| miles up. a railroad running thifh"r from Pax
| NAM at the north The Venice Of the East. Bang
| llok has been called in reference 10 It's numerous
canals, its multitude Of boats, aud its so-cdllcd
floating houses. Thachcd with palm rattan, says