The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1900-01-12

klNd OF SlAM.
articles which Henry w. Grady said
did more TO acquaint the north with
the new south than any other infiu-
enee or that kind.
When MIR. Cleveland wanted TO send
a capable man 10 Siam 10 settle i'm
pOrtant claims and other matters af-
fecting American treaty rights in all
Asia. he selected Mr.. Barrett. who was
supported by the six United States
senators from the three Pacific states
and also Endorsed by many chambers
OF commerce and representative bodies.
Mr.. Barrett served his country with
credit, and when sent To Siam was the
youngest foreign minister who ever
represented the United States.
The king OF SIAM" said Mr.. Bar
rett. ''is one OF the most remarkable
men in the world. He is one OF the
most intelligent and farseeing' states
men in all Asia. When n lad, he was
taught the English language by lady
from Nova Scotia named Mrs. LeOnO-
wenes. She was invited To visit Siam
for this very purpose. and sheafterward
wrote a number OF books regarding the
manners and customs OF the Siamese.
The king has most pleasing per-
sOnality He is OF medium height and
weighs. | should judge, about l65
pounds He has complete command
OF the English language and dresses
with perfect taste. While lie usually
wears the native costumes, he also APP
pears. If the occasion demands. in the
latest garments which have been i'm
ported from London. The king has re-
fined name and would not be out OF
place In the SWEETEST club in this cOun-
try.
The king is one OF the best speakers
] have ever heard. lie cnunciates hi
words so distinctly that his voice coulG
easily fill such II hall as the Chicago
Auditorium. In Siam he frequently
addresses audiences i'm the open air,
and every one of thousands Of persons
can distinctly hear what he has TO say.
.'The king reads our most important
newspapers and magazines. lie re-
ceives daily Reuters Geographic serv-
ice and keeps informed of what il go
ing ON all over the world. He follows
events in our country and observes
very kcenly the course OF our political
contests | remember that during the
campaign of 1896 he turned Ia me and
asked. Well. Mr.. Barrett. what do you
think of Mr. Bryan's chances of being
electedT
The king has but one official wife.
and il is her son who will succeed 10
the throne. There are. OF course. many
women connected with his household,
but in no sense is harem maintained
such as belongs TO the Turkish mon
archs. The building where these wo-
men reside is more like the dormitOry
OF one OF our girls colleges. The eldest
son OF the king is the crown prince.
and he is at school in England. where
he has been studying for six years. The
crown prince has a better understand
ing of the English language than he
has OF SiameSe. and IL is the intention
that when he becomes OF age lie shall
take unto himself but one wife and al
no time any more.
lit Is a fact not generally known that
the king of Siam is the head OF the
Buddhist church. He is student OF
religious systems and Is familiar with
the Bible. He is better acquainted with
the contents OF this book than the aver.
age intelligent and educated citizen OF
our own country. The king believes
that the Bible is a great religious work
He also holds that Christianity and
Buddhism are very similar and that
the difference between these two re