The Saint Paul globe., 1901-03-03

east Asia, Siam, 1.-The Kingdom of the
Yellow Robe,' is presented in simple
and attractive way by Mr. Young, who
was for several years connected with
the educational department of that coun-
try. All phases Of the national life are
presented in a manner which shows ia
miliarity with its daily routine.
The ancient history of Siam is rather
vague. Bishop PallegroIx compiled
from native annals an account Of Siam
and its people, but his majesty the late
king declared it was "all full of fable and
not in satisfaction for believe" With
the fall of -Ayutha, the ancient capital
and the founding of Bangkok about 140
years ago, the authentic history of Siam
commences
Bangkok, the Venice Of the East, is
built on the Menam Chow Phya, freely
translated the River Duke. Menam,
meaning river, and Chow PLY, the high
est title Of nobility which can be held
outside the royal family. Every traveller
enters Siam by this river, and the jour-
ney from it's mouth to the capital pre-
sents excellent opportunities for seeing
the various phases of Siamese life. Bang
kok is rapidly losing It's Oriental aspect
the native houses with their quaint ga
bles and many roofs are being displaced
by brick ones of European pattern. The
principal streets are lighted by electric
ity, instead Of the small oil lamps of
other days and an electric railway and
modern bicycles proclaim European In
f1uence The most picturesque native
quarter of the city is a long, narrow
bazaar known as Sampeng. 1t has a
mixed population of Indians, Siamese
and Chinese. Here one will find speci-
mems Of the native produce, exponents
of each of the native crafts, and all
the curious charm of an Oriental city.
The sobriquet of the country comes
from the national religion. The king of
Siam is the last Of the Independent East
ern sovereigns to profess the faith of
Buddha, whose outward symbol Of hu-
mility was the beggars yellow robe.
Some Of the most interesting chapters In
the book are devoted to the religious GER
emonies and the Buddhist temples or
Watts, as they are called in Siam.
Mr.. Young's book is really a popular
story of the life and customs Of the
picturesque people. It has a simple yet
vivid and interesting style which sug-
gests a correspondence between two
friends. The numerous illustrations are
from photographs made by the author.
"American Girls Trip.
"An American Girls Trip to the Orient
and Around the World; Christine Col
borne Rand. McNally & Co., Chicago.
IL,
accompanied her father and mother in
the Orient, where the former was to
make prolonged stay. She and her
mother spent about three months in
Japan, where they found much to inter-
est and amuse them in their study of
these bright people, their peculiar build
ings and shrines and strange street
scenes. Especially enjoyable were the
flowers, which the japanese so carefully
cultivate, that their favorites become
marvels Of beauty. After a visit to
Korea, where the father was stationed,
and which they found desolate and
wretched in comparison with Japan, they
continued their journey. Points Of inter-
est on the coast Of China and India were
touched and while steaming through a
narrow channel in the Red sea, between
an island and the mainland, their good
ship is wrecked and they are obliged, af-
ter the usual unpleasant and not alto
gether uncomical experiences attending
such a calamity, to take to another ship.
After visiting Paris and London they
proceed toward home, reaching Denver
just one year from the date of starting.
This book Is written to fulfill a promise
to the authors brothers and gives a
girls view of sights and scenes In the
Orient in an entertaining, girlish fashion,
refreshing to read after perusing the
more pretentious books by older travel
ers, who pass over many little details of
interest typical of the Oriental character
and habits. The book is profusely Illus
trated with half-tones reproduced from
photographs taken by the author, which
add to the books attractiveEess.