Soldiery and soldiery, although numerous, is not very efficient: the weapons are poor and awkward, and cavalry has but recently been introduced (tl. 54, fig. 3). Mohammedan soldiers from Yun-Nan are seen on Plate 58 (fig. 3, the figures at the right); the saw-like weapon, the helmet-like cap of the officer standing on the right, as well as the triple-toothed lance and the collar-like metal coat of-mail of the warrior near him, are particularly remarkable.
In Siam only the king and highest nobility may ride upon the ele phant, which is the most generally employed and useful domestic animal (j5l. 56, fig. 7). Even in war the use of the elephant is confined to the class named, though horses are growing into vogue. The elephants are protected in battle by weapon-proof saddles. The saddle shown in Plate 54 (fig. 8) now hangs in a pagoda; it is of wood, superbly carved and inlaid with metal in a most artistic manner. White elephants are esteemed holy, because they are regarded as the incarnation of former rulers. They are of a clear grayish-white color, tending to yellow or red, and are very scarce, being found only in high momntain-lands. After being caught the elephant is housed in a palatial building, massive gold rings are placed on its tusks, and it has a large retinue to serve it. Even the king never rides on it; but when there is need the keeper chastises it, and when it is led out to exercise the driver occupies a seat on its neck (fl.
54, fig. 3).
Buddhist religion prevails almost everywhere—in Cochin China and Anam, however, only among the lower classes, while the higher adhere to the teachings of Confucius. Plate 55 (fig. 5) repre sents the Buddhist feast of the new moon, which lasts three days. The town and country people, as well as itinerant Burmese merchants with their slaves, are assembled in the pagoda of Nong-Kay. As they live entirely in the pagoda during the feast, they are provided with sleeping mats and provisions, and have, besides, many presents, such as eatables for the bonzes and ornaments for the temple. A young bonze sits on the altar and reads the holy writings; opposite, in the higher lodge which is provided with curtains, the old bonzes also sit praying.
Temples are numerous everywhere, but in Auam and Burmah the priests are little esteemed and insignificant in number, while in Siam every one at some period of his life is a priest (talapoin). Moreover, relig ion has very little influence upon the people's minds. The Islam faith is now extending in South China and on the west coast of Farther India. The wild races have preserved their old religion, which consisted in the worship of the sky as the chief god, of the sun and moon as his servants and inferior divinities, and of protecting spirits and evil demons, but which often degenerated into fetichism. Their priests are both magicians and doctors, for illness is believed to be witchcraft. An extended system of philosophy prevails with them, as it does everywhere in Farther India. The dead are either buried or burned with much solemnity attended with sacrifices, or they are treated according to the Buddhist manner.
The introduction of Brahman culture into Siam and Aracan dates from the first or second century B. C., and simultaneously the Indian princes subjected the wild tribes to a regular form of government. Buddhism, and with it the Pali and the Indian scriptures, was intro duced from Ceylon much later, at first, about 6.10 A. D., to Aracan and the Laos district, whence it spread throughout all Farther India. About 200 A. 1). the Chinese pushed their victorious campaigns as far as Ilou Kin, introducing their own culture with them. The native kingdoms of Burmah and Cambodia were at the height of their power toward the end of the eleventh century; the Mongolian invasions of the thirteenth century had no lasting influence, but in the fourteenth century the whole East as far as Cambodia and Siam was tributary to China. We need not follow the changes of the various rulers. England has had possessions there since 1824, and France since 1863, close to the feeble kingdoms of Burmah, Siam, and Anam.