The kingdom and people of Siam
Subtitle: with a narrative of the mission to that country in 1855
By: John Bowring
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 482
ISBN-13: 9781108056076
Subjects: Description and travel dy 19th century; Civilization; Missions; History
Description: "Published in two volumes in 1857, this was the most successful work of the linguist and politician Sir John Bowring (1792-1872). His varied career included work as an editor and translator, service as an M.P. in Britain and as a consul in China, and the controversial governorship of Hong Kong. His appointment to this last post in 1854 saw him aggressively assert British interests with little regard for Asian sensibilities. The following year he travelled to Siam (Thailand) to negotiate a treaty with that country which became a model for future agreements, giving the Siamese government an insight into Western diplomacy which would be invaluable. Volume 1 contains chapters on the country's geography and history; population; manners and customs; legislation; resources, industry and finances; culture and religion; and its capital, Bangkok. Volume 2 covers the political make-up of the nation, containing chapters on its dependencies and diplomatic relations" -- Publisher's description.
Notes: Reprint. This edition originally published: London: John W. Parker and Son, 1857.
Table of contents: title: Vol. I. Geography; title: History; title: Population; title: Manners, customs, superstitions, amusements; title: Legislation; title: Natural productions; title: Manufactures; title: Commerce; title: Revenues; title: Language and literature; title: Religion; title: Christian missions to Siam; title: Bangkok. Vol. II. Deficiencies upon Siam; title: Diplomatic and commercial relations of Western nations with Siam; title: Personal journal of Sir John Bowring's visit to Siam; title: Brief notices of the history of Siam; title: Account, by the King of Siam, of the attack upon the Burmese city of Chiangtoong, in 1854; title: Edict of the late king of Siam against the introduction and sale of Opium within his dominions; title: Translation, by an American Lady, of a Siamese story; title: History of Constance Phaulcon; title: Narrative of the illness and death of the young queen of Siam; title: Letters from the King of Siam, etc.