The principal towns in Siam are Bankok, the ca pital or the residence of the king, Siam, Juthea. or Odia, formerly the capital, and situated on the Menam, Lou]) and Porselone on the Menan, and several others along the west shores of the Gulf of Siam. Bankok contains many splendid temples, including the Pra chadi, of a spiral form, probably the sepulchral monu ment of Buddha. The palace is situated on an island two or three miles long, and it and the whole island is surrounded by high walls, and bastions, and numer ous gates. The persons attached to the court reside here in wretched huts, made of palm leaves. The greater part of the space which the wall encloses, con sists of waste ground, swamps, and fruit gardens. The city, which is continuous with the palace, extends on both sides of the river Menam, to the distance of three or lour miles. It is built entirely of wood; the palaces, temples, &c. having brick or mud walls. The houses rarely extend more than one or two miles from the river, and by far time greater number of them float on bamboo rafts, secured close to the bank. The houses not thus floated, are built on posts driven into the mud. Every house has a boat. The principal shops are in the floating houses. The Chinese appear to exceed the natives in number. The floating houses consist of one floor, and have a very neat appearance. being thatched with palm leaves, and sometimes with tiles. Thew are divided into several apartments, the centre one of which is allotted for the household goods. The principal traders are the tinsmith, blacksmith, and currier. Tin vessels are made to a great extent. The preparation of leather for covering mattresses and pillows, and for exportation to China, is very exten sive. The skins chiefly used are those of the deer, ox, and buffalo. The skins of leopards and tigers, with the fur on, are exported to China. There are one or two manufactories of shallow cast iron pots, conducted by Chinese. 1827, two dreadful fires destroyed above 1500 houses in Bankok.
Juthea, the old capital, stands on the Menam, about 40 miles above Bankok. It is surrounded with a tur reted brick wall. The town is intersected with seve ral large canals; the streets run along them, that the ships may land their goods at the principal houses. Most of the streets are narrow and dirty. The larger bridges over the canal are of stone, and the smaller of wood. There are three palaces in the city, the chief of which is of Chinese architecture. The sub urbs are numerous; some of them consist of floating houses, and of houses fixed in the water on posts, as at Bankok.
The government of Siam is perfectly despotic. In cases where the interests of the king and his minions are not immediately concerned, the laws are often equitable and severely just; but the judges are cor rupt.
The revenue of Siam is considerable. The land tax is paid chiefly in kind. The privilege of fishing and distilling arrack produces a considerable sum. The most important fruit trees are taxed, and the tax is said to yield 7000 catties of silver. Gambling houses are also taxed.
The inhabitants seem to be of Mongol descent. Their average height is five feet three inches. Their complexion is yellow. Their face is very broad and flat, their hair is always black, and they have a ten dency to obesity. They have the frame without the energy of London porters.
The poorest of the Siamese are, after death thrown into the river. Those a little above them are burnt, and their partially consumed bones left to bleach on the plain. Children, before the age of dentition, and women who have died pregnant, are interred in a su perficial grave, till after the lapse of a few months the remains are taken up and burnt.
With these exceptions, the practice of cremation extends to all ranks. In many instances previous to cremation, the muscular and soft parts of the body are cut into small pieces and thrown to dogs, vultures, and other •carnivorous animals. Among the higher classes, the body is embalmed previous to cremation, but this art is very little known.
The music of the Siamese is soft and lively. They are very fond of music, and have arrived at great proficiency in the art. Their vocal music is plain tive and melancholy.
The history of Siam, beyond what is given in our account of the Birman empire, is scarcely worth no ticing. The late king, who ascended the throne in 1782, has been constantly at war with the Birman cm pine, and it was the boast of his reign that he has lost nothing in the contest.* The population of Siam is not known. That of the province of Chantibond is stated by Mr. Finlay son to be nearly one million. As very little is known of the modern state of Siam, we have not occupied our pages with any of the antiquated information which is generally detailed. Those, however, who wish such information, may consult La Loubere's Description du Royaume de Siam, Amst. 1719. 'Fur pin's Histoire eivile et naturelle du Royaume de Siam, Paris, 1771. This work was compiled from the MSS. of the bishop of Tavolia, apostolical vicar of Siam, and other Missionaries. Bemerkungen liber Slain, in the Connaiss once de la literature des pays, 1786, cap. 12. The most recent information respecting Siam will be found in Finlayson's .geeollizt of the Mission to Siam and Hue in 1821-2, Loud. 1826. See also But