The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-20
LATE KING OF SIAN.
He Had Three Hundred wives and
NenrIy One Hundred Children.
Baltimore American

The King of Siam, whose death has just
been announced, was forty-one years old.
He was very popular among his people,
and progressive monarch. He was not
inclined TO mix much with Europeans. Some
years ago, when James Gordon Bennett
was in Bangkok. the King received him
on Sunday, the only time, ii is said, in his
life he ever did such a thing. When the
King was in state ne glistened with jew
els, at least $1,000.0c0 being on his person.
His conical hat, a solid mass of gems and
gold weighed twenty-seven pounds. He had
to sit bolt upright to keep IL on his head.
The King was fond of romping with his
children, and delighted TO have his picture
taken with his offspring clinging to his
neck and sitting on his lap. Before he
assembled the throne every Siamese had to
crawl in the presence of the sovereign,
On the Kings birthday eight years ago,
when all the mobiles and diplomats were
assembled at the Kings annual ball, his
Majesty astOnished and delighted every
body by leading his pretty Queen into the
room. 1t the first time King of Siam
had appeared in public with his consort
or in any way recognized her as his equal.
The Queen was the half sister of the
King. They are used 20 that sort of mar
riage in Siam. The King spoke English
very well. 1t is said that he had three
hundred wives and eighty-seven children.
man in Siam has one legitimate wife.
All the other wives are subject TO her,
and classed concubines. Each wife
has a separate SUIT of rooms, with serv-
ants and plenty of money, but none of
them are allowed to so outside the palace
walls without the Kings consent. They
are guarded day and night by female po-
lice who wear a distinctive uniform, and
no European is permitted to enter the
harem, except the Kings physician and
the wife of the English trader, who carries
in bric-a-brac and trinkets to sell TO the
royal wives. On every Siamese Sunday the
King and his three hundred wives take
romp in the beautiful gardens within the
palace walls. 1t is easy for all Bangkok
to know when the King and his goodly
a.
tirely surrounded by thousands of troops.
The frailest of these pretty women has no
chance TO elope.
The Kings son. the little Crown Prince
not yet of age, when in mis- costume of
state has one million dollars worth of
fit. The Crown Prince is now about fifteen
years old. has been well educated, and
speaks English very well He is described
as bright, handsome boy.
In Siam the King is supreme His de-
crees are absolute. The country contains
about six million people, of whom about
two millions are Siamese, two million peo-
pie of Laos, one million Chinese, and one
million Malays. Last summer, when troub-
lie with the French was threatened, the
standing army was found to be about 12.o0O
in number. Every male over twenty-one
years OF age must serve the state three
mo months a1s in the year: The Buddhist priests
Great Britain has more trade in Siam
than any foreign nation There are in
oldm ABOUT I0,OOO EnSllSn, ABOUT 5UO french
men and very few Americans. good
deal of teak wood is exported from Siam.
Bangkok the Kings capital has about
100000 people and is almost entirely with
out any sanitary regulations TIE temples
in Bangkok are beautiful and costly build
inss. Buddhist priests. in yellow garb. are
seen everywhere in the city. They are not
allowed 10 work, being considered very
sacred, and receive many costly presents
Many young become priests because
they are thus sure Of living.
The Siamese believe in the transmigra-
ton of souls. as all Buddhists do. They
some of their deceased kings make their
abode in the bodies Of the white elephants
which are regarded as very sacred.
Bankok is very interesting city. 1t is
built along the Menam river. the floating
houses of the rich and poor often being
side by side.
The quarrel last summer France had with
Siam. the French being anxious to annex
came near involving England. but the trou-
BILE was soon settled. when England,
through Rosebery, made known the posi-
ton she would take If there was any in
reference with her rights.
The succession to the throne of Siam
is nominally hereditary. but as a matter of
fact, the reigning monarch mas been in the
habit of appointing his own political heir.
The King whose death is now reported
was. for Oriental, enlightened man.
with an appreciation of the value OF West
ern civilization His sons. who are mere
youths. have been educated after a fashion
upon European models. His brother, Prince
DamrOng whose visit TO the United States
the world, and is possessed of much natur-
al intelligence and considerable general in
formation He might be expected 10 become
regent but the French are likely to have
something TO say in this matter and the
possibility of their interference is one of
the awkward points in the situation.