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diff --git a/44564.txt b/44564.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4218a61..0000000 --- a/44564.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7139 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's History of the Kingdom of Siam, by Francois Henri Turpin - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: History of the Kingdom of Siam - and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of - the empire, up to A. D. 1770 - -Author: Francois Henri Turpin - -Translator: Basil Osborne Cartwright - -Release Date: January 2, 2014 [EBook #44564] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF SIAM *** - - - - -Produced by the volunteers of Project Gutenberg Thailand. -Proofreading by users emil, LScribe, rikker, wyaryan, -Saksith, ianh68, andysteve, Claudio, kaewmala, matt, Gyurme, -bencrowder. PGT is an affiliated sister project focusing -on public domain books on Thailand and Southeast Asia. -Project leads: Rikker Dockum, Emil Kloeden. (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -National Library of Thailand.) - - - - - - - - - - HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF SIAM - AND - OF THE REVOLUTIONS THAT - HAVE CAUSED THE OVERTHROW - OF THE EMPIRE, - UP TO A. D. 1770. - - - Compiled by M. TURPIN from manuscripts - received from M. the Bishop of TABRACA - Vicar Apostolic of Siam and from other - Missionaries in the Kingdom. - - - PUBLISHED ORIGINALLY AT - PARIS A. D. 1771. - - _Translated from the original French by_ - B. O. CARTWRIGHT, B.A. - EXHIBITIONER KING'S COLLEGE (CAMB). - - - BANGKOK 1908. - Printed under the auspices of the - Committee of the Vajiranana - National Library. - - - BANGKOK: - Printed at the "American Presby. Mission Press." - 1908. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PAGE. - - Translator's Preface IV. - - CHAPTER I. - - The First Kings of Siam 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - The Reign of Chao Narai 31 - - CHAPTER III. - - The Revolt of the Macassars 53 - - CHAPTER IV. - - The Revolution that brought about the downfall of Faulcon - and the French 65 - - CHAPTER V. - - The Breach between the French and the Usurper 89 - - CHAPTER VI. - - The Persecution of the Christians after the departure - of Des Farges 99 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Events leading up to the Revolution of 1760 109 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - The Revolution of 1760 115 - - CHAPTER IX. - The Revolution of 1767 137 - - CHAPTER X. - - The Misfortunes of the Europeans after the Revolution 169 - - CHAPTER XI. - - After the Revolution of 1767 176 - - CHAPTER XII. - - Advantages that might accrue from commercial neighbouring - relations with Siam and the Kingdoms 185 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Tonkin 220 - - - - - TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. - - -Turpin's History of Siam, published at Paris in the year 1771 consists -of two volumes, the first of which deals merely with the natural -History of Siam.-- - -The present book is a translation of the second volume only, and is of -considerable interest owing to the fact that it is the only extant -European work dealing with the events leading up to and succeeding the -fall of the old capital, Ayuthia.-- - -We have no accounts of the compiler M. Turpin himself and therefore -are unable to give any account of his life or position.-- - -The present volume falls into the following parts:-- - -a. A short resume of the early history of Siam. Few names are given, -and the accounts are somewhat vague. _Chapter 1_. - -b. An account of the reign of Phra Narai and his immediate successors -_Chapter 2-6_. This portion has been compiled from the earlier -accounts of Forbin and La Loubere; but Tachard's remarks are not -treated as serious history. - -c. A short chapter _(Chapter 7)_ giving a somewhat vague account of -the period intervening between the above and the next.-- - -d. The events leading up to the fall of Ayuthia. - -A description of the Burmese attack on the capital and of the early -years of the reign of Phya Tak _(Chapter 8-11.)_ This forms the part -of greatest interest. - -e. A description of the Kingdoms bordering on Siam _(Chapter 12-13)_. - -Taken on the whole, the book gives a very fair and impartial account, -but as the bulk of the information was derived from the Catholic -Missionaries, a somewhat biassed view is taken of the religion of the -countries treated of.-- - -The original has been carefully followed in the translation; here and -there a few sentences have been omitted for the reason that such -sentences are merely remarks of a moralizing nature on the part of M. -Turpin himself, and have no connection whatever with the relation of -the historical events.-- - - - B. O. CARTWRIGHT. - - BANGKOK: - _November, 1908._ - - - - - HISTORY OF SIAM. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE FIRST KINGS OF SIAM. - - -Eastern despotism, which casts a blight on the soul and quenches -public spirit, is the primary cause of all revolutions by which the -people seek to ameliorate their condition by the overthrow of their -tyrants. - -Every State in which there is One against All, has a defective -constitution, which causes it to pass in succession from greatness to -humiliation, from strength to weakness, and which, in its suicidal -policy, awaits but a foreign invasion which will restore to the -People, the enjoyment of their Rights. - -The unstable and tottering thrones of Asia at last crumble away, and -the ambitious, arrogating to themselves the privileges of attempting -all things, are overwhelmed by their fall, and, reduce the weak to -violate everything in their despair. - -The right of the strong is that of a footpad who plunders unarmed -travellers, and who, having enjoyed a period of immunity, dies under -the axe of the headsman. The Ruler who has the greater share in the -benefits of the Law does not recognise his advantages, and when -unwilling to extend them prefers to see himself surrounded by -trembling slaves who murmur in secret, and only await a leader to -become rebels. The crude legislation of Siam has been the cause of all -the public ills of the nation. It knows neither the extent of -authority nor the limits of obedience. This nation, indifferent -regarding the choice of its masters, has received fetters from the -hands of ambitious men who spurned the nation while coercing it. -Invariably unfortunate, the people have no hope save in a future -revolution, which will enslave them to a new tyrant insolently -bedecked with the imposing title of "Deliverer". - -What can be the motive that prompts a despot to retain the privilege -of laying violent hands on the liberty and welfare of his subjects? A -despot who replaces natural rights by arbitrary power! He passes away -like a torrent which leaves but the remembrance of its devastation -behind it. The Kings of Siam, invisible to their subjects made -themselves known merely by acts of authority. Thus they could never -instil those tender feelings which are inspired by the presence of a -King who is both Father and Citizen. - -I will not attempt to lift the veil which conceals the beginnings of -this Kingdom. This people has never known the art of printing which -alone enshrines the virtues and shortcomings of those who preside over -the public destinies. Their historical records are founded only on -vulgar fables, or on tradition sanctioned by priestly imposture, which -gives credence rather to the marvellous than to the simple truth. The -Siamese were unknown to us until the discovery of the Indies by the -Portuguese, and it is from that period that we ought to reckon their -history. - -Their first King, according to their vague records began to reign in -B.C. 1444. He had forty successors up to the King who was reigning in -A.D. 1546. All these Kings were of different families, who were in -turn driven from the throne which they had seized, because, having -become despots, they were punished for the abuse of their power. - -The proud and jealous spirits of a limited dependency ought, in the -degradation to which they have been reduced, to console themselves -with the hope that their degradation is but transitory, and that their -posterity shall be delivered from the chains which have weighed them -down. Rarely does tyranny transmit the fruits of its crimes to its -descendants. - -History has not given us the name of the King who reigned in 1550 -A.D., although the chief events of his reign have been chronicled. It -was in this reign that the Kingdom of Siam was laid waste by the -incursions of several neighbouring nations who carried fire and sword -throughout the towns and the country side. Thirty thousand innocent -victims were sacrificed to their ruthless vengeance, and this swarm of -warriors seemed to prefer to lay waste the crops and to destroy the -towns rather than to conquer and govern them. - -The King of Siam, alarmed at their progress, arose at the murmurings -of his people. He raised a large army. All those capable of bearing -arms were summoned to the flag and those who were so cowardly as to -excuse themselves from fighting for their country, were threatened -with the punishment of being burnt alive. Foreigners were bound by -this law. - -At that time there were 130 Portuguese in the Kingdom, of whom 120 -were obliged to take up arms. The King believed himself to be -invincible, when he saw this handful of Europeans whom he regarded as -so many heroes at his disposal. - -A powerful army of 400,000 men including 70,000 non Siamese took the -field with the King at the head. The army was further reinforced on -the way by 100,000 men and 4000 elephants. We must regard these -numbers as a gross exaggeration. It is true that the temperate nature -of Eastern races renders the question of the food-supply an easy -matter for the largest armies; but how could so great an army have -been collected together in a country which boasts but few inhabitants. -However we will set forth the facts as they have been handed down to -us, and we can only question them by the light of their probability. - -The army, under the command of four leaders (of whom two were Turks -and the other two Portuguese) advanced to put a stop to the -devastation of the country side. As soon as the armies confronted each -other, the enemy commenced a furious attack on the Siamese rear, which -would have been destroyed, had not the King altered his tactics. The -new disposition of his forces gave him the advantage, and helped by -the Portuguese who fought side by side, he was enabled to rally his -troops. A general action was then commenced in which his elephants and -artillery scattered death and destruction in the opposing ranks of the -enemy, who retired under the cover of darkness leaving 130,000 dead on -the battle field. This battle cost the Siamese 50,000 men, and flushed -with victory, a force of 400,000 Siamese invaded the Kingdom of -_Quibem_ which was governed by a Queen who had favoured the enemy. The -towns which they conquered were looted and the inhabitants, always the -victims of the quarrels of rulers, were put to the sword. The capital -would have suffered the same fate, had not the Queen, putting aside -her natural hauteur, submitted to the conqueror and to the conditions -of peace which were imposed. This princess, cognizant of her weakness, -consented to pay an annual tribute of 60,000 Portuguese ducats, and -her nine year old son paid homage as a vassal to the conqueror who -carried him off to Siam to grace his triumph. - -The victorious monarch did not enjoy his glory for long; his days of -prosperity were changed to days of mourning. The Queen, in his -absence, had indulged in a criminal liaison with palpable results. The -fear of being punished for her adultery led her to commit another -crime, and, to secure her position, she administered poison to her -husband in a cup of milk. The King remained alive for five days, -during which time he engaged in affairs of State. - -Benefits were conferred upon the Portuguese allies; their nation was -declared exempt from taxation of every description for a period of -three years, and their priests were permitted to preach the gospel in -every part of the Kingdom. His son was proclaimed King, and the joy of -seeing his successor in power rendered him indifferent to the pangs of -death. As soon as the monarch was dead the chief officers of State -handed over the reins of government to the Queen of whose misdeeds -they were unaware. Her liaisons which could no longer be kept secret, -revealed her unchastity, but hardened to crime and with a conscience -untouched by remorse, she acted her part with perfect calmness, and, -to make matters worse, she openly lived with her guilty paramour. -After this act which was the cause of a certain amount of -dissatisfaction, but did not create any actual rebellion, she -determined to elevate her lover to the throne, and to dispose of the -young King by the same method employed in the case of his father. The -disaffection both of the nobility and of the common people, checked -her in her career of crime, and the national outcry was favourable to -her designs. She pretended to fear that attempts would be made against -her son's life, whereas in reality she was his sole enemy; and, to -frustrate such attempts, she desired to have a body-guard to protect -his august head from the wicked plots of which she said she had had -information. - -She was granted 12,000 foot soldiers and 500 mounted men for his safe -keeping. - -It was an innovation, that there should be a permanent guard in a -State which hitherto, had called up soldiers only in time of external -danger, but, it is the means usually employed in all ages to -intimidate the lives and liberties of citizens who support their -oppressors. No sooner had she found herself in power, but she used it -to wreak vengeance on all those who had opposed her, or, who had -grumbled at her ill-regulated life. The most distinguished citizens -were the first victims. Two of the leading nobles perished by torture -on frivolous charges. This Princess, headstrong in her loves and -hatreds, imagined that she could retain her position by force, but the -shedding of so much blood was a seed from which new opposition to her -tyrannical rule sprang up. The confiscation of the property of those -innocent victims enabled her to maintain a certain number of -partisans, but those whose friendship it was expedient to purchase -gave their allegiance only on condition of being supplied with -whatever appealed to their greed. She soon found out that instead of -friends, she had but traitors pledged to serve their own interests. It -was then that she placed her paramour on the throne and declared him -to be her consort, considering that a man, rather than a woman who had -given so many examples of the frailty of her sex, would be more -capable of overawing the disaffected. - -The young King, a mere puppet on the throne, was deposed by his -hard-hearted mother, and the fatal draught which she personally -administered to him anticipated the vengeance which was about to -overtake her; but she did not enjoy the fruits of her crime for long. -At the moment of self congratulation on having acquired an ascendency -over her subjects, she found by experience that crime engenders -nothing but enmity. - -The nobles, emboldened by their hatred, and encouraged by the King of -_Cambaye_, made a conspiracy to deliver the kingdom from a creature -who could not even satiate herself with the blood of her victims. They -invited her and her consort to a feast at which both were slain. The -throne which they had disgraced was taken by a brother of the late -king's father, who, during these tumultuous times had passed his life -in the seclusion of a monastery. This new king, during his retirement, -had become morose and savage and he neglected the importance of making -himself beloved. His barbarous policy had made him believe that -obedience depended on fear, and that punishment was a better -instrument of government than clemency. The debauchery into which he -plunged could not soften his natural harshness, and, from voluptuous -surroundings, he dictated bloodthirsty commands which filled the state -with trouble and discontent. His unfitness aroused the ambition of a -powerful neighbour. The king of Burma saw that the conquest of the -kingdom would be no difficult matter. This nation has had so great an -influence on the fortunes of Siam that it cannot be passed over -without a few remarks. - -People are apt to confuse the kingdoms of Pegu, Ava and of Burma -because they are now under the rule of the same king. This country -united and open has mountains on its frontiers only. The air is pure -and the soil produces all kinds of corn and fruits. The plains and -forests abound with game, elephants, buffaloes, goats, deer, and -poultry is fine and plentiful. There are mines of iron and lead, which -metals are used as a medium of barter, and it is this country that -produces the finest rubies and the best sapphires. The diamonds which -are very small are found only in the crops of fowls and especially of -pheasants. The right of selling diamonds is a monopoly of a single -family, and it is a grave offence to dig the ground in hopes of -finding them. - -The natives of the country differ from the Burmese their conquerors -both in dress and in appearance. The Peguans although somewhat stout, -are well made and have regular features. Their complexion is of an -olive tint. They wear no beard, but carefully pull it out as they -consider it to be troublesome growth. Their teeth are naturally white, -but they blacken them so that they may have no resemblance to those of -a dog. The women who are lighter in colour than the men, are small -with plump cheeks and well proportioned limbs. Generally speaking, -they are gentle in their way, but very voluptuous. Lewd and -licentious, they have quite abandoned all sense of shame. When they -appear in public they wear a piece of white cotton stuff draped round -their heads which bear no further ornamentation than their raven -tresses. The rest of the body is practically naked, they wear but a -piece of thin cloth at the waist which allows that to be seen which -modesty prefers to hide. This scanty attire was not introduced by -reasons of sensuality; it is said that it was the work of a sagacious -Queen in order to attract the men who in their transports of passion -were addicted to unnatural desires. - -The dress of the Burmese is different. They wear a robe of transparent -muslin through which the skin tattoed with charcoal dust, can be seen. -This ornamentation which is peculiar to them distinguishes them from -the Peguans. Their feasts are loathsome and disgusting, as soon as the -viands are produced hunger is satisfied. They flavour everything they -eat with rotten fish which they use as a substitute for oil or butter -just as Europeans use garlic, a plant whose odour is no less -unpleasant. - -Having no corn, they supply its lack by cakes of rice. Their usual -beverage is pure water or a liquid of agreeable flavour which they -extract from a certain species of tree. - -Whoever takes a wife is obliged to purchase her like other cattle, and -if disgust follows possession, the husband has a means of disposing of -her. The woman has the same privilege, by the repayment of her -purchase price. The rights of hospitality allow fathers to prostitute -their daughters to their guests, who take a woman on hire in the same -way as they would a house. The majority of persons whose business -takes them to Pegu contract temporary alliances of this nature which -have nothing of the stigma of concubinage. The Law has provided for -such inconveniences as might arise. The King is the heir of all his -subjects, but when there are children he has a third share only. - -The purity of the air makes up for the lack of medical skill. When -anyone falls sick they set a table on which a choice repast is spread, -to propitiate the demon, that they consider has been the author of the -illnesses that afflict mankind. - -The ceremony is conducted by some venerable impostor to whom they give -the title of the father of the demon, and although the state of the -invalid ought to induce a feeling of sympathy, the whole house -resounds with music and song in order to assuage the wrath of the evil -minded being. - -Gold, silver, rubies and musk are the chief articles of export, and, -under the general term "rubies" topazes, sapphires, amethysts and -other precious stones should be included. Europeans give in exchange -beaver-hats, and the gold and silver brocaded ribbons with which the -nobles adorn their heads. All trade is carried on by court officials -who hold themselves responsible for payment and if they are convicted -of breach of trust, the creditor is allowed by law to seize their -wives, children and slaves and to expose them to the glare of the sun -at his door. - -The Peguans, like all Indian peoples grant the existence of a creator -god, whom the people have the exclusive privilege of worshipping. -There are lesser deities to whom the people pray in time of need, and -the Devil is one of their chief objects of adoration. At early dawn -the people are to be seen carrying some rice for his delectation in -order that he may be gracious to them during the day time: others -throw titbits over their shoulders for him during meal times. This -puerile religion is based upon ghost worship. They grant an eternal -succession of worlds each of which has a special deity as its ruler. -The doctrine of transmigration has many adherents who believe that -souls having passed through the bodies of birds, beasts and fishes, -are cast into a place of punishment which they leave to enter a -paradise of pleasure where everything awakes and appeals to the -senses, and finally that after several transmigrations they will be -united with the Supreme Being of whose happiness they will be -partakers. They have great respect for monkeys and envy the blessed -fate of those who are eaten by crocodiles. - -On ceremonial occasions, the assembled people hire women and -hermaphrodites who perform dances in honour of the gods of the Earth. -The dancers bestir themselves so violently that they fall down in a -swoon. It is after this fit that they prophesy the future which has -been revealed to them by their gods. - -The Priests vowed to celibacy, set a good example of abstemiousness to -the populace. They eat but once a day and sobriety is their most -prominent virtue. When the soil of the district to which they are -assigned is insufficient to furnish to their needs, they send out -young novices in search of alms and the credulous mob encourages -idleness by liberal donations. The poorest citizens are always those -who waste their property in pious offerings. Their morals are simple -and it is by their studied mortifications that they impose on the -populace whose ideal of the Sublime is the Extraordinary and the -Peculiar. - -They live far from the haunts of men, in the depths of forests in a -sort of cage built in the upper parts of trees, so as to escape the -dangers of wild beasts. The obscurity of their lives increases the -veneration of superstitious folk who from the earliest times have -believed that the deity prefers the silence of the forests or the -fearsome solitude of a mountain peak. There are certain days on which -they exhort the people to practise virtue. Simple as their preaching -is they never argue on knotty points of doctrine. They believe that -every religion is acceptable to God and that the observance of the -laws of nature will always be worthy of a heavenly reward. - -The nobility is noticeable in many ways. Though being in great honour, -it nevertheless presents an example of the most abject servility and -trembles before a despot who can either raise or degrade it. It -consents to cringe in the most servile manner, but often it awakes -from its slumber and cuts off the hand that strikes it. A proud race -is always ready to take up arms for liberty and for the enjoyment of -its rights. Thus it is the noble or the servile inclinations of his -subjects, that a wise King ought to study so that he can extend or -limit his authority. - -The King never appears in public without great pomp and ceremony. -Everything inspires a respect which would seem to exclude devotion. -Seated on a car drawn by 16 horses, he never travels unless preceded -by either the army or a crowd of nobles. Four of his favourites in -gorgeous apparel are seated with him in this car. His ordinary -progress is more magnificent than a Roman triumph. Although the Law, -or rather custom only grants him a single wife, he has the right to -keep 300 concubines. - -The arms used by the Peguans in warfare consist of the lance, sword, -and shield, their firearms, finer than those of Europe yield nothing -to them in point of excellence. Their arsenals are equipped with many -pieces of artillery which are however of not much practical use owing -to the lack of skill on the part of their gunners. Although they -possess harbours and an abundance of good timber, they do not build -fleets as they have neither carpenters nor experienced sailors. The -forces of the Kingdom are strong. The armies more numerous than those -of Darius, are usually composed of from 100,000 to 1,500,000 men who -receive pay from the King. - -In time of war he supplies them with arms and accoutrements and in time -of peace, gave grants lands and towns to the nobility for their support. -This number of troops is without doubt an exaggeration, but it becomes -more easy of comprehension if the natural frugality of the Peguans be -taken into account. They require but a little salt and water to season -the roots and herbs which they find on the march. The most loathsome -creatures, cats, rats and the humblest reptiles excite their appetite -and their fertile country furnishes them with an abundant supply of all -that is necessary to life. - -This kingdom, founded by a fisherman about 1,100 years ago was -governed by hereditary Kings until 1539 A.D. About that period it was -conquered by the Burmese who prior to this had been confined to a -narrow strip of territory but they founded an Empire extending some -800 miles from North to South and 250 miles from East to West. - -These people, though of a warlike disposition had been obliged to -yield to the numerical superiority of the Peguans. The Peguan -conquerors had exacted a toll of 30,000 Burmese to be employed on -various works of public utility. Such toilsome slavery provoked their -proud spirit, and unwilling to see themselves working in the mines, -formed a general scheme for their deliverance. - -The Monarch was accustomed to go in company with all his train to -visit the works, and to reward industry and to punish idleness. The -Burmese captives took this opportunity to compass his assassination, -and, having robbed the Queen and the concubines of their valuables -fled to their own land with a great booty. The successor of the -murdered Prince was unable to avenge his death. The nobles fomented -discords in the state from motives of self-aggrandizement, and passed -directly from slavery to independence. They declared for the rivals of -their master by whom they had been reduced to servitude. - -_Mandara_, King of Burma took advantage of their internal dissensions -to attempt the conquest of Pegu. He invaded the Kingdom at the head of -an army of 1,000,000 men and 5,000 elephants. His fleet was commanded -by _Cayero_, a daring Portuguese adventurer who had 1,000 of his -compatriots under him. The Peguans were unable to oppose a barrier to -the swarms of the invaders. - -Mandara, conqueror of Pegu then turned his arms against the vassal -states of the Empire which he had just conquered. Martaban, the -capital of a Kingdom of the same name was taken, but the brilliancy of -the action was tarnished by acts of cruelty. Mandara had promised to -spare the lives of the King and his wife and children who were ordered -to spend the rest of their days in exile; but the savage conqueror was -faithless to his word. The captured Queen was conducted to his -pavilion together with her two sons and forty young girls who charmed -all by their beauty and still more so by their misfortunes. Priests -recited prayers to appease the wrath of heaven. The King her husband -at last appeared, mounted on an elephant and dressed in black velvet. -He had a rope round his neck and seemed to be more concerned at the -misfortunes of his family than with his own. - -The next day the Queen and her children with the ladies of the court -were led to a mound in the midst of the soldiery who forgetting their -natural savagery, appeared to be moved by pity. - -The Princess and her children were suspended by the feet to gallows -destined for criminals of the deepest dye. The unfortunate King was -allowed to survive his family for a few days to brood over the sadness -of their fate. He was afterwards hung in a similar fashion and a stone -being tied round his neck he was cast into the sea together with fifty -of his chief officials who had committed no crime further than their -devotion to King and country. This gross act of barbarity aroused the -indignation of all the Burmans, and a revolt was imminent had it not -been crushed by the diplomacy of the conqueror who held out the -prospect of unlimited plunder. The capital was given over to pillage, -a hundred million gold pieces were taken from the public treasury and -distributed to the army. Everything that did not excite the greed of -the conquerors was given over to the flames. Seventeen hundred temples -and 140,000 houses were destroyed 60,000 of the inhabitants perished -by fire and sword. The survivors of their country's downfall were -condemned to drag out the rest of their days in slavery. The -neighbouring Kings, jealous of Mandara's rapid success leagued -themselves together to check his victorious progress. In great alarm -he strengthened his out-posts and put himself at the head of 900,000 -men. The rapidity of his movements anticipated the designs of his foes -to whom he gave no time to collect their scattered forces. He laid -siege to Prome the capital of a Kingdom of the same name which at that -time was governed by a Queen acting as regent for her son aged 13 -years. A stubborn defence was offered and the Princess's spirit so -animated the courage of the troops, that the efforts of the besieging -force would have been rendered futile, had it not been for traitors -who opened the gates. As soon as the Burmans had proved victorious, -the King ordered that the bodies of 2,000 children who had been killed -in the general carnage should be dismembered and given to the -elephants. The Queen, in a state of nudity, was given over to lust of -the brutal soldiery, after which, executioners armed with whips, tore -her in pieces. When, amid fearful tortures, she had breathed her last -they tied her corpse to that of the King her son and cast them into -the water. It is said that Mandara indulged in this cruel excess, -because of his hatred towards, her father the King of Ava, who had -refused her in marriage. Three hundred of the chief officials of the -State were impaled and their corpses had no burial other than in the -water. - -The King of Ava, learning of the tragic end of his daughter, raised a -large army, the command of which he entrusted to his son, who had no -thoughts but those of vengeance for the death of his beloved sister. -Mandara sent a force of 200,000 men to oppose his progress under the -command of his foster-brother, a leader of proved courage and ability. -The Burmans made a furious onslaught on the rear guard of the foe. The -battle was hard fought, but the victory was gained by the Burmans who -lost 115,000 men, although the army of the Prince of Ava numbered -about 30,000 men of whom at least 800 deserted to the conqueror. - -Mandara, who knew both how to conquer and how to turn his victories to -account, sought enemies everywhere in order to increase the number of -his vassals. No sooner was he informed of the troubled condition of -Siam than he made preparations to annex so rich a prey, but before -making a start, he wished to consult with his subjects, not so much as -for taking their advice as for assuring himself of their support. The -scheme, which, if successful would open a way to China, met with -universal approbation. Martaban was the rallying point of his army -which consisted of 800,000 infantry 40,000 cavalry, 5,000 elephants, -and 1,000 pieces of artillery drawn by buffaloes and rhinoceros. The -commissariat and the baggage was carried by oxen. This brave, but -undisciplined array was far more suitable for a marauding expedition -than for one of conquest. A force of ten thousand Europeans skilled in -military tactics could have easily dispersed this motley rabble, which -had to deal with a people quite as undisciplined, and less brave than -themselves. - -The chief strength of the Burmans consisted in a force of 2,000 brave -Portuguese commanded by one Diego Suarez, who, by favour of the King, -had been raised to one of the chief dignitaries of the State. We must -remark that in this century the Portuguese scattered over the Indies -sold their lives to the service of any King who would pay them well -enough. These adventurous heroes decided the issue of wars by their -bravery, and the Monarch who had the greatest number in his pay, -marched confidently to victory. - -The first blow fell on the fortified post of _Taparan_ whose garrison -of 6,000 Siamese were put to the sword. This slaughter was -insufficient to satisfy the fury of the pitiless conqueror who was so -cruel as to sacrifice women and children to the memory of the soldiers -killed in the operations. - -After this carnage, he determined to make himself master of the -capital, and without halting at unimportant places, which might have -weakened his army, he advanced directly on the royal city, headed by a -force of 60,000 pioneers who levelled the difficult tracks through a -country covered with forests. - -The Siamese, having no sound knowledge of the methods of attack and -defence, remained apathetic whilst a numerous army surrounded their -ramparts. Terrified, and unskilled in combat, they put their whole -trust in their lofty walls which they regarded as being impregnable to -attack. At last they were roused from their lethargy by the sounds of -an onset. The love of life, rather than that of liberty aroused their -courage and they offered a stubborn resistance to the foe who were -repulsed with great loss. The besieging force adopted new tactics, -which though deadly were not successful. Suarez, seeing the repulse -of the soldiers and that the elephants were terrified by the fire, -thought it best to beat a retreat. But the King inflexible in his -resolution to capture the city, ordered a fresh assault in the course -of which he displayed the greatest bravery, but was wounded by an -arrow which confined him to his bed for the space of a week. His wound -relaxed the vigour of the siege operations. During the time of -inaction he caused wooden towers 65 feet high, mounted on 25 iron -wheels and filled with combustible materials to be built. These -engines, which demonstrated his skill in mechanics were intended for -use against the ramparts. A dark and stormy night was chosen for the -attempt and the glare of the lightning and the rumble of the thunder -added to the terror they were to inspire. It was in the midst of this -blinding storm that the towers were run up to the walls. - -The Siamese putting aside their wonted timidity, sustained the attack -with great bravery. They set fire to the engines which became fatal to -their owners. So stout a resistance only served to increase the -courage of the Burmans, but while the King was consulting with Suarez -on the best course that should be adopted, news was brought that the -Peguans had risen in revolt to gain the rights of their ancient -independence. He raised the siege and instead of attempting the -conquest of new territory, he considered it more prudent to take -measures for the protection of His own Kingdom. - -Having put down the rebellion, he made fresh preparations against -Siam, but was assassinated by a gang of conspirators who could not -conceal the fact that they had had everything to fear from his -vengeance. - -Chaumagrin, the foster brother of the murdered King, and to whose -instrumentality the late victories were due, succeeded to the throne. -He adopted the warlike policy of his predecessor without delay. This -Burman would have held a high position amongst heroes if he had had -chroniclers to immortalize his deeds which, as it is, have only come -down to us by vague tradition. It is said that his mighty army of -1,600,000 men overwhelmed the neighbouring Kingdoms that he extended -his conquests to China and Tartary and that he was sovereign ruler of -24 Kingdoms. - -The possession of a white elephant of which the King of Siam was very -fond was the pretext for a sanguinary war between the rival monarchs. -The King of Burma offered large sums of money for the animal which was -considered to be remarkably intelligent; but, on being refused, -resolved to capture it by force. In reality the sight of two nations -in mortal combat for the possession of an elephant is no more to be -marvelled at, than the spectacle of European rulers causing the -slaughter of thousands of men for the possession of some useless -fortress. - -The Burmans invaded Siam with a large force, and laid siege to the -capital where they expected to meet a long and stubborn resistance. In -order to spare the lives of his soldiers, the leader bribed certain -traitors who rendered him master of a town by purchase rather than by -conquest. The King of Siam became the vassal of Burma. The Queen and -her children were exiled to Pegu from which event the rulers of Pegu -have taken the title of "Prince of the white elephant" since one of -these creatures had been the occasion of a war leading to such -glorious results. - -After the death of the conqueror his son named _Prunginiko_ succeeded -to the throne. His first act was to demand the tribute which the King -of Siam had agreed to pay. But the latter said, that he acknowledged -no master. On this refusal, the Burmans sent a punitive expedition, -under the command of a subordinate officer, to take vengeance on the -faithlessness of his vassal. - -The Siamese Monarch, terrified by this invasion, gave him to -understand that if the King had come in person, there would have been -no difficulty in rendering his dues, but that under the circumstance -he was unable to comply without compromising his dignity in receiving -orders from a subordinate. The haughty Burman replied that his vassal -Kings as well as the meanest slaves were expected to obey his behests. - -The Siamese army commanded by the son of the King, (who was known as -the Black Prince to distinguish him from his brother) took the field -and gained a brilliant victory, Prunginiko annoyed, rather than -dispirited, raised an army of 1,700,000 men under the leadership of -his eldest son, who self confident in numerical superiority assumed -the title of King of Siam. The reports of his march caused general -consternation, but the Black Prince, calm amid the stress, did not -lose hope of dispersing them. His soldiers fired by his example, were -eager for the fray. A battle was fought on which the fate of the -Empire hung in the balance. With equal ferocity, the two leaders -mounted on elephants sought each other out and careless of danger, -engaged in single combat, appearing to fear death less than the shame -of being vanquished by a hated rival. At last the Burmese Prince fell -in the dust and died with every symptom of rage and despair. His -soldiers, panic stricken, turned and fled and the Siamese harassed -them in the rear for a month as they pursued them like wild beasts, -and, slaughtered them without mercy. After a glorious reign, the Black -Prince who succeeded his father left the Kingdom in a settled -condition to his brother the White Prince who had no skill in the art -of government. This new King, a prey to greed and suspicion, allowed -himself to be ruled by one of the chief nobles at the Court who in -order to render the King more odious, encouraged his vices and -follies. This faithless favourite with a large retinue of slaves -including 280 Japanese, plotted to gain possession of the throne. The -King enfeebled by debauchery was in danger of death, but his son, the -heir-apparent, was an obstacle to the ambitious ideas of the -favourite. The King misled by the representations of his favourite -pronounced sentence of death on his innocent son, but the successor to -the throne avenged the crime by the death of the favourite to whom it -was due. The blood of the guilty was the cause of new troubles. The -slaves of the ambitious favourite and especially his Japanese -retainers took upon themselves to avenge the death of their master. -These bandits, nurtured on crime and rebellion, obliged the King to -deliver over to them four of the chief nobles whom they massacred -without pity. Their fury extended even to the King who was obliged to -sign in his own blood the conditions which they had the audacity to -impose. They furthermore demanded that the chief priests should be -given up to them as hostages for the promises they had extorted. - -This first attempt was followed by the sack of the town and after -having despoiled the citizens, they took their departure unmolested -with a great booty. The tyranny of the late King had prepared the way -for all these outrages. Whoever calls in foreign defensive assistance -is no more than an oppressor who has more trust in the mercenaries he -pays, than in the subjects he plunders, but he has the sad experience -that his paid defenders often turn out to be only traitors. All -countries in whose armies foreigners have predominated have only had -transitory periods of prosperity, for the reason that those who have -brought about their success, have also been the cause of their -downfall. - -The neighbouring tribes wishing to profit by the troubles in the -Kingdom, made an invasion. Their army came within three day's march of -the capital, but peace had then been restored as the Japanese had -taken their departure. The King of Siam collected his troops, and -struck such terror into them that, they retreated precipitately -without risking the issue of a battle. - -This Prince, with the assistance of the Portuguese, recaptured several -provinces which had previously been seized by the Kings of Ava and -Pegu, and, full of gratitude towards his brave auxiliaries, he offered -the Port of Martaban to the King of Portugal as a base for his fleet. -The ambassadors who made this offer to the Viceroy of Goa returned -loaded with gifts. They were accompanied by a Dominican friar to whom -the negociation was entrusted. They were received with every mark of -distinction and concluded a treaty the terms of which were extremely -advantageous to the Portuguese. This first success was the cause of a -new embassy in 1621 which assisted the progress of the Faith. Some -Franciscans were demanded by the King to preach the Gospel in his -realm. He built them a church at his own expense and wished to make -them wealthy, to which latter proposal they turned a deaf ear. Their -disinterested motives of which the country furnished so few examples, -increased the admiration which their other virtues had evoked. - -This Prince was a curious mixture of strength and weakness, of vice -and of virtue. Brave to the point of foolhardiness, he was cruel and -savage, and the cowardly and timorous side of his character sacrificed -both innocent and guilty to his suspicions. An absolute despot, he was -not over-scrupulous in financial transactions. He was tyrannical, but -not miserly. Having a strict eye for justice he cast robbers and -dacoits to crocodiles and to tigers and even found a savage pleasure -in attending such functions. Ingenious in his methods of reprisal, he -imprisoned a vassal King, who had made a rebellion, in a cage and gave -him no other food than the flesh which he caused him to tear from his -own body. He took delight in the torture of his subjects; he himself -cut off the legs of seven of the Court ladies as a punishment for -walking too quickly; and performed the same operation on three others -who had been too slow to obey his orders. Thus it was an equally -heinous offence to walk either to too fast or too slowly. His -brutality was extended even to birds and animals. He caused the head -of a horse to be struck off because the animal had been disobedient, -and the same fate overtook a tiger which had spared the life of a -criminal that it ought to have devoured. - -This crowned monster of iniquity, died in his bed with all the -complacency of a benevolent monarch. Perhaps the horror inspired by -his crimes was modified by his brilliant talents and the other virtues -he possessed. Faithful to his promises and lavish of rewards for -services rendered, liberal and magnificent, he had many supporters who -having become his accomplices guaranteed his immunity from revenge for -his crimes. - -He entrusted a large sum of money to a Portuguese to purchase certain -articles from Malacca. This madman gambled away the money and then had -the hardihood to return to Siam where he expected to meet with severe -punishment. The King welcomed him graciously and said, "I think more -highly of your confidence in my mercy than of all the rare articles -that you ought to have brought me." Like all tyrants, this prince had -a favourite who introduced five or six hundred Japanese, disguised as -merchants, into the Kingdom as tools for his own aggrandisement. As -soon as the King had closed his eyes; he made use of them to ensure -possession of the crown. But the son of the late King rallied his -forces and snatched the sceptre from the hand of the usurper. He was -more fortunate in recovering it than in retaining it as he was shortly -afterwards assassinated. - -He left the throne to his younger brother who conceived a violent -dislike to the Japanese as he considered them a dangerous gang, -watching for an opportunity to take his life. Many of these Japanese -were killed and the rest were compelled to leave the country. Peace -having been restored, it was imperilled by the murder of the King's -brother who had been suspected of aspirations to supreme power. A -prince of the blood taking advantage of the feeling inspired by this -crime, proclaimed himself King. This new usurper, under pretence of -safeguarding the interests of the state maintained an armed force in -time of peace, and this force was more vexatious to the citizens, than -it was dangerous to foreign foes. However by keeping up a standing -army he was able to dispose of the partisans of the legitimate heir to -the throne. The Dutch to whom he gave trading facilities were his most -zealous upholders. - -It has been presumed that this usurper was the celebrated _Chao Pasa -Thong_ whom some maintain was of royal birth, but to whom others -assign a lowly origin. For a long time he had held the office of -Chacri or Chancellor during the tenure of which he deceived his -master, oppressed the people, and made use of his ill gotten gains to -consolidate his position. His wealth was lavished on his fellow -conspirators. As soon as he was on the throne, he desired to marry the -daughter of his predecessor, but the princess unwilling to bedeck -herself with the spoils of his brothers who were the proper heirs to -the throne, looked upon this criminal union with disgust. The tyrant -enraged at their love for their sister ordered them to execution. - -Having disposed of his rivals, he showed all the ferocity of his -nature. The death of his daughter furnished an excuse for his harsh -policy of removing all those who might have checked him in the path of -crime. Having celebrated her funeral rites with the utmost pomp; he -himself gathered up her ashes, and on seeing a morsel of flesh -unconsumed by the fire, made up his mind that his daughter had been -poisoned. Mad in his suspicions, he had all the women who had been in -attendance on the poisoned Princess, put under guard, and tried to -extort by torture an avowal from them of an imaginary crime. The whole -court was a scene of punishments. Even so large a number of victims -could not appear the cruelty of the tyrant. All the nobles of the -Kingdom were summoned before him, and he caused trenches to be dug and -filled with glowing charcoal so as to put them to the ordeal by fire. -They began by scraping the soles of their feet with a sharp piece of -iron and then made them pass over the burning matter. Those whose feet -were injured by the fire were held to be guilty. - -This tyrant, a cunning inventor of punishments, devised new methods. -Some victims were crushed under the feet of elephants, others, buried -up to the shoulders, begged for death which alone could terminate -their sufferings. It was a heinous offence to give them the least -assistance or to hasten their death. He employed fearsome tortures. -The bodies of victims were squeezed so tightly by cloths that the -cloth appeared to be part and parcel of the body of the sufferer. Some -were pierced with needles of various shapes and then were cut in half, -the upper portion being placed on a copperplate so as to stop the -bleeding and to prolong the agony. - -Three thousand persons were sacrificed to the barbarity of the tyrant, -who under the pretext of avenging the death of his daughter, found a -means of removing the enemies of his usurped power. - -There still remained other important victims namely the two sons and -the daughter of the late King. As he could only revile them for their -misfortune and degradation, he brought a false charge against the -eldest daughter whom he accused of having given an exhibition of -unholy glee at the cremation of the Princess. She was condemned to the -ordeal by fire together with all the ladies of her suite and the pain -extorted from her the avowal of a crime of which she was innocent. The -executioner at once received the order to cut off a piece of her flesh -and to make her eat it. When she was offered this disgusting repast, -she cried out. "Vile tyrant! you can rend my body, but remember that -my spirit is not under your command. You will observe that the fixity -of my purpose renders me superior to your tortures. Learn also that -your crimes will not go unpunished and that my blood shall be a seed -from which shall arise the avengers of my family and country." - -At this, the tyrant highly enraged, ordered her to be cut in pieces -and to be cast into the river. The brother of the Princess who at that -time was twenty years of age met with the same fate. He had previously -pretended to be insane but as soon as he was mounted on the scaffold, -he made it known that it was the love of life that had caused him to -act in a cowardly manner. The beauty of his countenance which his sad -position rendered more touching, caused tears to come into the eyes of -the most hardened. When he saw the executioner approaching, he cursed -the author of his misfortune. "Although innocent," he said, "I am -about to suffer the death of the guilty. The tyrant wishes that I -should die, and I shall not demean myself to beg his clemency, a -virtue of which he is quite ignorant. I prefer to arouse the feelings -of the people and to encourage them to thoughts of vengeance." This -usurper, who was notorious only for his cruelties, died after a reign -of 30 years. He left a son whom the devotion of the people called to -the throne, but he was supplanted by his uncle who based his claim to -the throne on the custom which placed the crown on the head of the -late King to the exclusion of his children. - -The young Prince cleverly dissembled his resentment and waited for a -favourable opportunity to show it. His uncle, a man of unbridled -passions, wished to take his sister as a concubine. The opposition -which her brother made to the match caused his uncle to resolve in his -death, which he only escaped by flight. The Portuguese sympathised -with him and in hopes of his protection offered him their help to -reclaim his brother's heritage. This prince, supported by 1000 of -these brave Europeans forced his way into the palace, of which he made -himself master before any one suspected his designs. The usurper -hoping to flee in disguise mixed with a crowd of slaves, but a -Portuguese seeing him escape, seized him and stabbed him to the heart -with a dagger. The Prince punished only those who had been concerned -in the tyrant's misdemeanours and his liberal policy secured him many -adherents. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE REIGN OF CHAO NARAI. - - -The death of the usurper opened the way to his nephew's possession of -the throne. It was in this reign that the barriers which had divided -Europe from the Kingdom of Siam were broken down. The welcome that -Chao Narai extended to foreigners, drew them from all parts of the -world in the hopes of gaining wealth which in reality did not exist or -which at least had been much exaggerated by the reports of -untrustworthy travellers. This Prince, endowed by nature with all the -qualifications necessary for kingship would have been the creator of -this nation, had not the intractable nature of his subjects been -opposed to all the good he wished to do for them. They however -invariably preferred the old customs to useful innovations. Abuses -founded on prejudice and custom are rarely capable of being reformed. -Chao, desirous of glory, and carried away by his energetic nature did -not, like other Kings of the Indies, seclude himself in the gloom of a -harem, there to grow weak in debauch and to forget his duties. His -throne shaken by the turbulence of the nobles needed a firm hand to -keep it secure. His first victories were those over his subjects, and -all premonitory symptoms of internal dissensions were promptly -repressed by the death of the rebels. Though naturally of a kindly -disposition yet severe in his methods of government, he clearly -understood that it was always necessary to be ready for all -emergencies when dealing with a people who were ready to renounce -their allegiance if not intimidated by fear. A chief priest, proud of -his authority took upon himself the onus of reading him a lecture. He -dared to tell the King that the whole nation was grumbling in secret -at his great severity. The Prince listened to what he had to say -without appearing to be annoyed by his indiscretion. Some days later -in order to make him see the folly of his remarks, the King sent a -monkey (an animal which is intensely disliked by the Siamese) to the -priest and told him to take great care of it and to let it play about -without hindrance. - -The Priest suffered great inconvenience from his guest who upset all -the furniture, broke the crockery and bit all the servants. At last, -exasperated by the animal's tricks he implored the King to relieve him -of its presence. "Well" said the Prince, "Can you not put up with the -petty annoyances of an animal for two days; and yet you wish that I -should endure, for the rest of my life, the insults of a people one -thousand times worse mannered than all the monkeys in the forests! -Learn then, that even if I punish wickedness still more will I reward -virtue and merit." Having crushed the rebellion, he put himself at the -head of his army and his first expedition was crowned by a brilliant -victory. The Peguans had invaded the outlying portion of the Kingdom -and had committed great havoc. These people, so often the conquerors -of Siam, found by bitter experience that they could not always be -invincible, and after sustaining a disastrous defeat hurriedly -retreated with their shattered forces to their own territories. - -Whilst thus engaged in the repulse of foreign foes, storms were -brewing in the heart of his Kingdom. This Prince too enlightened to -give himself up to superstitious idolatry, soared above popular -prejudice. The priests feared that they would fall in public -estimation and that the people, following the example of so popular a -ruler, would forsake the altars of their gods. They thought that they -might prevent their loss of prestige by the murder of the King. The -zeal for the interests of heaven urged them to the crime of attempting -his life and misled by sanctimonious piety they chose for their fell -deed, a feast day on which the King entered the temple, more as a -censor, than a partaker in their vulgar rites. The success of this -sacrilegious plot seemed assured, owing to the fact that the royal -body-guard was not allowed to enter the temple precincts. A fortunate -chance averted the danger. Two officials, sent to examine the -preparations for the ceremony, perceived that the temple was filled -with a mob of priests, all of whom were armed with swords and daggers -concealed under their robes. These warlike preparations were -considered suspicious. On hearing the news, the King surrounded the -temple with soldiers who cut down the guilty priests without mercy. -This just punishment was regarded as an act of sacrilege by the -populace who are apt to confound the cause of God with the crimes of -His ministers. The priests, to whose interest it was to decry him, -proclaimed him to be a bloodstained Ruler who cared naught for God and -man. Such was cause of the hatred that this King felt for the priests. - -It was under these favourable circumstances that three French bishops -came to Siam to plant the standard of their faith. Their enlightened -character contrasted strongly with that of the idolatrous priests, -sunk in the depths of ignorance and in the mire of debauchery. - -In order to slight the priests, the King made as though to favour -Christianity. The prelates established a Seminary on a piece of land -given to them by the King. The aim of this institution was to educate -the young, and to enable them to learn the languages of their -neighbours all of whom had establishments in the capital known as -'camps,' that of the French being known as the camp of St. Joseph. The -King built them a church at his own expense. This generosity seemed to -indicate his leanings towards Christianity, but in reality he was -indifferent to all religions and above all took delight in showing his -contempt for the idolatrous priests whom he loved to humiliate. The -Mahomedans shared his favours with the Christians and if he had been -obliged to make choice of a religion, it is most probable that he -would have declared for the Koran. A Prince surrounded by concubines -would naturally vote for a religion which authorises his -predilections. The logic of the Court furnished overwhelming arguments -which silenced the voice of reason. The executive was entrusted to a -foreigner, who, brought up in the bosom of Christianity, favoured its -progress. This man was equally celebrated for his rise and fall; he -has played too important a part on the world's stage for us to omit a -sketch of him. - -Constantine Faulcon, a Greek by nationality, was born in 1650 in the -island of Cephalonia. Father Tachard assures us that his father was a -noble Venetian who was the governor of the island, and that his mother -was a daughter of one of the leading families. This Jesuit, whose -works must be read with a great deal of distrust, created titles to do -honour to those of his friends and protectors to whom good birth had -been denied. - -The name of Faulcon does not occur among those of the noble families -of Venice, and Forbin, better informed and less of a flatterer, says -that he was the son of an innkeeper in a small village known as La -Custode in the island of Cephalonia, at which place Faulcon received -an education commensurate with his abilities. Nature revenged herself -on the caprice of Fortune and his high spirit was evident as he grew -up, and his pride could not stand a locality where every thing -recalled his lowly origin. - -At the age of twelve he took ship for England and did not delay in -making himself known for his commercial abilities. His lively -imagination knew how to place everything in a favourable light. His -ready speech and interesting conversation bore witness to his birth in -that happy land which in former times produced the teachers of the -nations. He was sought after by the greatest people at Court, and his -intelligence fertile, though uncultivated gave him ready access to the -most refined courtiers and the wisest of the learned. Mr. White, a -rich English merchant recognised his talents, and seeing the advantage -that might accrue from his society, took him on a voyage to the Indies -where his skill justified his preconceived ideas. - -Having passed through his English service, he found himself possessed -of sufficient means to be independent, and started trading for -himself. His efforts were not crowned with success. Twice he embarked, -and twice was his ship wrecked near the mouth of the Menam. These -mishaps did not damp his commercial ardour. He embarked on a third -venture, but was again wrecked on the coast of Malabar. He was barely -able to save himself from the fury of the elements and managed to -recover but 2000 crowns, as the sole relics of his fortune. - -Overcome by exhaustion, he fell asleep on the lonely and unknown -shore. His disordered imagination gave him a vision of a beautiful and -majestic female who, casting tender glances at him, told him to return -to Siam where he would meet with better fortune. This dream which he -afterwards regarded as a sign from heaven led him to seek means to -carry out the project. Thus, smarting from his recent misfortunes, it -was from a idle dream, that this man whose talents have been so -belauded, took his directions which indeed led him to power. Many -unfortunate persons have been led to their doom by following such -untrustworthy guides. - -Next day, as he was walking along the shore regarding the devouring -element that had swallowed up his fortune, he was met by a man in a -most wretched plight. It was a Siamese ambassador, who, returning from -Persia, had been shipwrecked on the same coast. This personage, having -lost all his property thought that he had only been saved from the -waves to die on the shore. He was agreeably surprised to meet a -sympathetic fellow creature in a similar situation. The account of -each other's mishaps cemented a friendship such as is rarely known -between those on whom fortune is wont to smile. Faulcon, wealthy -compared with his destitute friend, used his remaining wealth to -purchase food, clothing and a boat in which they sailed to Siam -together, Faulcon found a home in the seminary where he lived on the -bounty of the archbishop of Beryta. - -The ambassador touched by Faulcon's kindness sang his praises to the -Barcalon who desired to see his benefactor. Faulcon captivated the -minister by the brilliancy of his talents. The trust he inspired -rendered him a necessity to the Barcalon who, a foe to hard work, -preferred pleasure to business. He found the burden of the -administration could well be borne by a subordinate whose -well-directed operations redounded both to the credit of the Monarch -and of himself. Faulcon was chosen to accompany an embassy to a -neighbouring kingdom where he kept up appearances without causing -unnecessary expense. The Mores insatiable in their avarice wasted the -public money as they were in charge of the state's finances. Faulcon -repressed their greed. This parsimony rendered him dear to the King, -who, after the death of the chief minister appointed him as his -successor, but the Greek was wise enough to refuse the position as he -saw that, he a foreigner, would incur the hatred of the Nobles who -invariably aspired to offices without endeavouring to render -themselves worthy of their trust. But if he had no show of power, he -had all the reality. He was careful to hide behind the machine of -which he pulled the strings, and, minister without the title and -decorations, he presided as an invisible yet guiding spirit over -public affairs. - -A Malay who had received the appointment of Barcalon endeavoured to -undermine his influence, but the falsity of his charges having been -proved, was punished by loss of his office. Nations have spoken -differently concerning this singular personage. These who take his -lowly origin into account assume him to have been the possessor of -superior attainments by which he surmounted the obstacles which hinder -the progress of ordinary people. - -The French priests supported by his generosity and possibly misled by -imposing externals have depicted him in the most glowing colours. -Tachard, loud in his praise has represented him as having a nobility -of character, a facile mind and polished manners, very rare qualities -to be found in a sailor who had passed his life on shipboard in the -company of wild, uncouth, seafaring men. - -He has also supplied him with natural eloquence and persuasiveness, -but the proofs which this Jesuit has brought forward are so open to -doubt, that it is fairly apparent that Tachard himself was the author -of all the elegant productions which he assigns to Faulcon. The other -European nations jealous doubtless of his preference for the French or -the Portuguese Catholics, have taken pleasure in vilifying his -character. They have painted him with all the vices to which both -ancient and modern Greeks are addicted. Perfidious and cringing, -concealing the symptoms of frenzied ambition under the cloak of -moderation, polite in manner and haughty in character, he did not -trouble to disguise his vices in his dealings with a people accustomed -to servile obedience. Implacable in revenge, he skilfully laid the -onus of the punishment of his enemies upon the king. Everyone agrees -that he was possessed of certain virtues which never became obscured -throughout his life. A sincere despiser of wealth, he made use of -riches only for the purpose of personal aggrandisement. His -incorruptible nature was never suspected of receiving bribes in the -administration of justice. Eager for the honours from which his birth -seemed to have excluded him, he was all the more anxious to secure -them. Faithful to his master, the only reward of his service that he -claimed, was the privilege of maritime commerce, which furnished him -with the money necessary for his expenses. It seems that he was a true -Catholic, since free to make choice of a religion, he deserted the -Anglican faith which would have been less of a hindrance to his -desires. - -He was a man of medium stature, with bright penetrating eyes. Although -having an intelligent expression, there were traces of gloom in his -character, indicative of a conscience smitten by remorse. - -Such was the condition of the court of Siam when the question of an -alliance with France was considered. A new treaty, the motives of -which could not be clearly understood, drew the attention of those -interested in politics. - -Those who were jealous of Faulcon declared that he had invited the -French, only for the purpose of furtherance of his schemes and to -place him on the throne that was the summit of his ambition. It is -quite possible that feeling himself exposed to the envy of the court, -he might have wished to have raised some barrier against the designs -of his foes and that in protecting the French, he was actuated by -regard for his personal safety rather than by that of his master's -prestige. - -Whatever his ideas may have been on that point there is no doubt that -he was fully alive to the advantages which would accrue to the kingdom -from commerce. Otherwise the Dutch, the masters of the Malay -Peninsula, would have been the arbiters of the fate of the Indies the -kings of which needed an alliance to counterbalance the power of these -formidable republicans. Their dangerous proximity was the lure the -minister made use of to bring the king round to his ideas. - -The Bishops, newly arrived in Siam gave such glowing accounts of Louis -XIV that the Siamese monarch was greatly flattered by the prospect of -obtaining so illustrious an ally. A pompous announcement of the list -of presents sent was made, but fearing lest these gifts might be -seized by the Dutch who at this time were at war with France, it had -been decided to leave them at Bantam. This delay might have been fatal -in a court ruled by avarice, and it was to be feared that over-zealous -courtiers, jealous of the favour in which the prelates were held, took -every opportunity of doing them harm by declaring that they were -secretly plotting to possess themselves of these presents. The king -anxious to receive these gifts was persuaded that he would receive -them in due course; but hardly had the vessel set sail, than the Dutch -caring naught for the King of Siam seized the presents as a prize of -war. The Court of Siam broke out in threats at this audacious act; but -the Dutch, too powerful to fear any act of reprisal, foresaw a rupture -from which nothing was to be gained. So in order to depreciate the -high ideal the Siamese had of Louis XIV., they craftily restored all -the gifts of small worth, but retained those which were valuable so as -to belittle the offering of the King of France. - -The King of Siam, hearing of this act of bad faith was only the more -eager to hasten the projected alliance, and, to ensure its -consummation, he pretended to have decided leanings towards -Christianity. The Buddhist temples were closed and those who disobeyed -this order were severely punished. The King was pleased to hear the -Bishops discourse on Christianity. His gifts helped to embellish the -Seminary. He caused a gilt throne to be carried there, the -magnificence of which seemed to indicate the respect for the doctrines -there promulgated. On the cessation of hostilities between the Dutch -and the French, ambassadors were chosen to bear a reply to the French -monarch. The King built a church at his own expense. This edifice -still remains and the memory of its founder made it to respected by -the persecutors of the followers of Christ. The people, free to select -a religion, would have ranged themselves under the banner of the -Gospel, if the chief minister had not secretly disobeyed the order of -his master. - -The first ambassadors had many obstacles to overcome. The Court, -impatient at receiving no tidings, sent two other high officials -accompanied by M. M. Vachet and Pascal two enlightened missionaries to -be their guides in a land where the manners and customs would be -unfamiliar. - -It was at the beginning of January 1684 that they set sail on board an -English vessel, together with six young Siamese who were to be -instructed in European arts and sciences. They arrived in London after -voyage of six months and thence took for ship Calais. It was then that -M. Vachet resigned the position of chief of the embassy in order that -the Siamese officials might enjoy the dignities of the post. - -M. de Seignelay, before making the news public, wished to learn -verbally the reason for the embassy. M. Vachet told him that the fame -of Louis XIV, had penetrated to the extreme Orient and that the King -of Siam hoping to form an alliance, offered him, if his efforts were -successful, a position in a state where a French company might -establish a trading station to extend commercial operations to China -and all parts of the Indies. - -The minister, having previously been misled by false reports, appeared -to doubt the truth of this recital. "Be careful," he said, "in -speaking of this embassy we know very well that it has not been sent -by the King of Siam and that Louis XIV. fears that his dignity would -be compromised if he were to send an embassy to him." M. Vachet had no -difficulty in surmounting this obstacle. Louis XIV., who was better -informed on the matter, summoned him to his presence and entered into -the details of the affair. He appointed a day for the audience of the -ambassadors to whom the ministers lent their equipages and retainers. - -They went to Versailles, where their presence aroused the interest of -the whole Court. Their dress was rich and elegant, they wore white -pointed head-dresses ornamented with a ring of gold three inches in -width. The spectacle was interesting from its novelty. - -They were conducted with great ceremony to the Royal Presence. On the -appearance of His Majesty they prostrated themselves with their faces -to the ground, having the hands above the head, in the same posture as -they were wont to adopt towards their own King. M. Vachet acted as -interpreter and the King replied "Tell these officials that We shall -have great pleasure in doing what our brother the King of Siam -desires." - -Afterwards they dined with the King and the luxury of the table -appointments, made a great impression on men naturally accustomed to -frugality. They were conducted over the park where the fountains which -were playing seemed to them to be an exhibition of magical power. -Having satisfied their curiosity, they were invited to magnificent -banquet. The King's brother was their host at a splendid entertainment -at St. Cloud at which the choice vintages excited their appetites. The -objects of art in the Prince's apartments attracted their attention -and many Frenchmen were astonished to find such good taste and -appreciation in strangers coming from so distant a country. The Prince -of Conde, who inherited the inborn courtesy of the heirs of his -house, invited them to Chantilly. The most distinguished persons vied -with each other in the magnificence of their receptions and during a -stay of more than two months in France, they appeared of more account -than their master. - -On their return to Siam, they rendered account of their negociations -and the King pleased with their success and the honours they had -received, called M. Vachet to renew to him the assurance of his -protection. He addressed him in these words which sounded strange from -the mouth of an idolatrous prince. - -"Father Vachet, do not pride yourself on the success of your voyage, -it is not you that have effected such great things, it is the God of -Heaven and Earth to whom all praise be due." - -These negociations were the fruit of Faulcon's intrigues and above all -of the zeal of the missionaries for the glory of their religion and of -their King. - -The French merchants who foresaw new openings for commerce were also -greatly interested in the scheme. Louis XIV. had resolved to send out -Jesuit mathematicians to China, where their observations might perfect -the knowledge of geography and navigation. He seized the occasion of -the visit of the Siamese ambassadors to carry out his design. The -Chevalier de Chaumont was appointed ambassador to Siam with the Abbe -de Choisy as his co-adjutor with instructions to reside in the Indies -until the King of Siam had been converted to Christianity and to work -in conjunction with the missionaries to further the great work. - -The Abbe who was a most agreeable personage, was bent more on -pleasure, than on the giving of instruction but it is not by amenities -of character that apostleship is successful. - -The Chevalier de Chaumout cast anchor in the Gulf of Siam on September -27th 1687 after a voyage of six months duration. He was accompanied by -M. M. Ceberet and La Loubere the chiefs of the deputation, five -missionaries and fourteen Jesuits. Father Tachard who had no rank -other than that of a mathematician was the life and soul of the party -of which he alone imagined he pulled the strings. The stress he lays -on the smallest details of the negociations ought at once to make his -position suspected. The French were received with every mark of -distinction. The King of Siam, laying aside the hauteur of an Asiatic -monarch became quite familiar. It was then that the ambassadors become -apostles and begged the King to become a Christian. - -Their efforts were redoubled on receiving the news that an ambassador -had just arrived from Persia to convert the King to Islam. The -Missionaries in their zeal and desire to gain so illustrious a -convert, overstepped the limits of his favour. The Chevalier du -Chaumont under instructions from them and from Faulcon (who though -animated by the same zeal had yet other motives) never ceased pointing -out to the King on every possible occasion, that it was the ardent -wish of Louis XIV that he should embrace Christianity. - -Narai, wearied by his importunity, asked what had led the King of -France to believe that he had wished to become a Christian. - -The following was the King's reply from the memory of those who were -present and who were desirous of his conversion. Faulcon himself acted -as interpreter. - -"I regret that the King of France sets me so difficult a choice. I -should be rash to embrace a religion of which I know nothing. I wish -for no other judge than this wise and virtuous prince. A sudden change -might cause a revolution and I do not intend to forsake lightly a -religion received and practised without interruption in my kingdom for -the last 2229 years. Besides this I am greatly surprised at the -eagerness with which this King upholds the cause of heaven, it seems -that God himself takes no interest whatever in the matter, and that He -has left the mode of worship which is due to Him to our own -discretion. For could not this true God who has created heaven and -earth and all the dwellers therein and has endued them with diverse -characters, in granting souls and bodies to mankind, have inspired -mankind with similar ideas on the religion they ought to follow, and -have indicated to them the mode of worship most agreeable to Him and -to have submitted all nations to a uniform law. As He has not done so -we ought to conclude that He has not wished it to be so. This ordered -unity of worship depends entirely upon a divine Providence that could -have introduced it into the world just as easily as the diversity of -sects that are established. It is then natural to believe that the -True God takes as much pleasure in being worshipped in different ways -as by being glorified by a vast number of creatures who praise Him -after one fashion. Would the diversified beauty which we so admire in -the physical, be less admirable in the ethical world or less worthy of -the Divine Wisdom? Whatever may happen, since God is the absolute -ruler and director of the world I resign myself and my kingdom -entirely to His good providence and with all my heart I trust that His -eternal wisdom will so order them according to His good pleasure." - -These brilliant sophisms showed that the Prince had no great leanings -towards Christianity. The Abbe de Choisy was quite capable of -understanding their hollowness but, convinced that the logic of Kings -is hard to refute, became tired of his apostleship owing to the small -hope he held of success. - -The French were none the less well received, and in virtue of a secret -treaty, Mergui and Bangkok were banded over to the soldiery to whom -the King extended a welcome. These towns were reckoned as two of the -ramparts of the country the one on the Bay of Bengal and the other on -the Gulf of Siam. Des Farges was appointed governor and commander in -chief of the French soldiery. - -These foreigners transferred to the Kingdom of Siam, were regarded as -its defenders. Twenty-four of them were selected to act as a bodyguard -to the prime minister, and the King himself never appeared in public -without a French escort. One of these men was raised to the rank of -colonel of the guards and others were placed in command of Siamese -regiments in order to instruct them in military discipline. The -soldier who fell ill was sent to Louvo where he received better -attention than he would have in his own home. These privileges were -extended to all Christians who enjoyed full rights of citizenship. The -French Jesuits were allowed to preach the Gospel in all parts of the -Kingdom. The King appointed many of them to Buddhist temples under the -pretext of their having to learn Siamese, but in reality to observe -their procedure as the priests were neither suited for, nor willing to -act as spies. The minister laid the foundations of a college for the -education of the younger member of the nobility under the name of -College of Constantine. M. the Chevalier de Chaumont having brought -the negociations to a conclusion departed from Siam at the end of -1688. He was accompanied by three Siamese Ambassadors equally -distinguished by birth and ability and who were in charge of some rich -gifts for the King of France. - -The object of this mission was to demand that engineers should be sent -to instruct the Siamese in the art of fortification and in the methods -of attack and defence of positions. They were also empowered to -request a body of troops to perfect the Siamese in military -evolutions. - -The French officers and soldiers who remained in Siam abused the -consideration they had enjoyed. Convinced of their superiority in -power and knowledge, they were rash enough to presume upon it, and -instead of laying themselves out to please, desired to be thought much -of. With impudent mockery they condemned every thing that differed -from their own customs. The people and nobles at first suffered the -pride of their insolent guests in silence. The Bishops and clergy -alone were not exposed to the popular dislike. Keeping within the -seminary and devoting their time to labour, they were neither vain nor -ambitious, they were known by the services they rendered to the public -and above all to the unfortunate. - -The Jesuits, animated without doubt by the same motives had other -means to attain their end; and it was by the brilliancy of their -accomplishments that they endeavoured to enjoy the public confidence. - -Surgeons, physicians, astronomers and mathematicians, they beheld men -of all stations in life coming to ask their advice and to follow their -teaching. - -But while making converts, they multiplied enemies. The more they -displayed the superiority of their talents the more were they -suspected of dangerous designs. It was incredible that such learned -men should expose themselves to such fatigue and danger for the mere -purpose of dressing wounds free of charge, and to teach how to -calculate eclipses or the periodicity of comets. They were both -admired and hated, and the Siamese were told that it was merely by -this display of secular learning that they had succeeded in having a -powerful following in Japan. In such manner they decried the zeal of -these religious persons pure in their motives, but perhaps too -ostentatious in their methods. - -Many of the Siamese, attached to their own habits and customs were -alarmed at seeing so many foreign priests and soldiers introduced into -the Kingdom. They could not but perceive that this policy was a -forecast of an approaching change in the laws and religion of the -country. Faulcon, the author of these innovations, became the object -of public execration. A zealous, but indiscreet Malay informed the -King that the minister, the accomplice of the French, had conspired -against him and the state. The Monarch having been forewarned of this -tale would not deign to listen to the proofs he had to offer and -instead of receiving the rewards that he thought would be his due, was -condemned to be devoured by tigers. - -The Prince of Johore, a vassal of the King of Siam, wrote to the King -to induce him to expel these foreigners from his Kingdom; alleging -that the French after having been received as allies would soon -attempt to become masters. This prince with the connivance of the -Dutch, offered his troops to help in the liberation of the Kingdom -from these new oppressors. His advice was rejected in anger, and the -envoys would have been beheaded had not Faulcon been wise enough to -check an act of violence which might have led to disastrous results. - -A few remarks should be made here on this embassy which was a -brilliant, rather than a useful achievement. - -The French clergy who had been the primary occasion of the embassy had -only the interests of Christianity at stake, but the political party -regarded it as an advancement of the prestige of the King of France, -who, in his turn, surrounded by flatterers, was misled by their -counsels. - -Father Tachard, ready to grasp anything that would advance the -interests of either his master or his sect, thought that the conquest -of Siam was reserved for his own society. He was seconded by Pere de -la Chaise, who removed all the opposition on the part of the ministers -to this expensive and useless alliance. - -The Chevalier de Chaumont and the Abbe de Choisy had had but a very -superficial idea of the Siamese nation. They had been present at -banquets and hunting parties and the Royal Treasures had been -displayed to their view. They had been conducted round the temples -where they had been told that the colossal images therein were of -solid gold, whereas in reality they were only of plaster skilfully -gilt. The ambassadors, dazzled by what they saw, deceived the Court of -France in their turn. - -Count Forbin, the head of the navy and a thorough Spartan, had -observed all this parade in a philosophic spirit. This brave soldier -who preferred the roar of cannon, to any more sensuous form of music, -perceived that the French were being blinded by a bogus magnificence. -The simple account he has given of this journey is a complete -refutation of the meretricious lies of Tachard and Choisy. - -His insight into the wretched state of the country was keen, and -Faulcon, fearing lest he should discredit the reports that the -ambassadors were about to carry to the French Court, asked the -Chevalier de Chaumont that Forbin should be appointed Admiral of the -fleet. The Count was obliged to obey the orders of the ambassador and -was duly appointed Admiral and Commander-in-chief of the land and sea -forces of the Kingdom of Siam. This grandiloquent title gave him -opportunities of investigating the true state of the country the -misery and weakness of which he soon discovered. Some days after he -had an audience with the King whom he found surrounded by officials -seated on wicker-work mats. A single lamp illuminated the hall and -whoever wished to read, pulled out a yellow wax taper from his pocket, -lit it, and then extinguished it with great economy when he had -finished with it. - -One day the mean and miserly Monarch asked the Count "Well Admiral, do -you not find great pleasure in your appointment at Court?" Forbin was -obliged to answer that he considered himself highly favoured to be in -his service. This plain-spoken sailor ground his teeth as he uttered -this polite lie. - -The severity with which the slightest faults were punished made him -squeamish. Those who did not speak sufficiently had their mouths slit -from ear to ear and those who spoke too much had the mouths sewed up. -Petty offenders were burnt in the arm or lacerated in the thigh, -Forbin was surprised to see that the highest officials were exposed to -such shameful treatment, from which even the King's brothers -themselves were not exempt. He feared for his personal safety, but was -reassured by Faulcon who employed every artifice to retain him in the -service. He was not over-satisfied with the allowance made for his pay -and accomodation which was quite out of proportion to his -grandiloquent title. - -He was given thirty six slaves to wait on him, and two elephants. His -house was small and poorly furnished. He was presented with twelve -plates two large silver cups, four dozen table napkins and a daily -allowance of two of yellow wax tapers. - -Such were the emoluments of Count Forbin, Admiral and -Commander-in-chief of the forces of the Kingdom of Siam. This mean -equipage can give some idea of what an Asiatic monarch considered to -be luxury. - -It seems that Fortune, in retaining Count Forbin in the service of a -nation incapable of profiting by his example, had foreseen that the -chance would be given him of acting as the country's defender, as -happened in the Macassar revolt which broke out two years later and of -which the circumstances shall now be related. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THE REVOLT OF THE MACASSARS. - - -A people to whom the Kingdom of Siam had given refuge in their -misfortunes, were the cause of an event that shook it to its -foundations. The King of Macassar, a district in the island of -Celebes, had been dethroned by the Dutch. One of his sons, escaping -from the vengeance of the conquerors, had sought asylum in Siam. The -King of Siam, attracted by the rank of the unfortunate prince, granted -him land on which houses were built for him and his followers who had -accompanied his flight. - -This locality which still retains its name of 'The field of the -Macassars' was situated adjacent to that assigned to the Malays who -were also a Mahommedan people. - -The benefits showered on the fugitive Prince only made him ungrateful, -and when he ought to have sacrificed everything for his benefactor, he -made an attempt on his life, in order to place the King's younger -brother on the throne. The conspiracy was discovered and the author of -it deserved severe punishment, but Narai overlooked the offence and -magnanimously pardoned him. Daen (this was the name of the treacherous -Prince) emboldened by impunity, considered himself more powerful than -the Prince to whom he was so much indebted. - -Base characters regard clemency as a sign of weakness, not as a -virtue. Humiliated by an unmerited pardon, he rendered himself still -more unworthy by entering into a new conspiracy. As he needed -fellow-conspirators for the execution of his evil designs, he -corrupted by means of specious promises, the three Princes of Champa, -who, like himself had sought refuge in Siam, after the death of their -father to escape from the machinations of their brother, who having -succeeded to the throne, would have in accordance with Mahommedan -usage, laid violent hands on possible rivals. - -These Princes conspired with the Prince of Macassar to open a road to -the throne. Their plot was, at first, to place the crown on the head -of the youngest of the King's brothers and to reign in the name of the -crowned phantom. They were resolved to compass his destruction after -having elevated him to the throne and to substitute one of themselves -by vote. It seemed that the interests of their religion justified the -conspiracy in their sight. They intended to offer to Christians and -Mahomedans alike, the alternatives of death or the Koran. - -One of these three Princes occupied a high position at Court. He was -the youngest, and the others placed him at the head of the conspiracy. -He was of an age at which ignorance of the risk he ran, might lead him -into crime without his perceiving the fatal results. He followed the -counsels of a bold Malay who had nothing to lose and who was ready for -any desperate deed. It was necessary to enlist the sympathy of heaven -for their cause so as to inspire their followers with that fanatical -enthusiasm which regards the present life as a mere prelude to eternal -felicity. - -They received great assistance from the impostures of a Mahomedan -priest who informed the Malay and Macassar encampments that a sign of -evil omen had appeared in the sky and that their nation was threatened -by a grave disaster. For the space of three months he published these -dreadful tales. Fanatical madness is contagious, and an imposter who -misuses the name of the Deity can soon reckon on a numerous following. - -With the exception of three hundred Malays, everyone eagerly drank in -his words. When the plot was ripe, the three ringleaders sought means -to win over these three hundred to their side, as the success of the -plot largely depended on their co-operation. They decided that on the -appointed day, they would summon them to their meeting and that they, -seeing their compatriots armed for the common cause, would no longer -hesitate to throw in their lot with them. It was resolved to break -open the prisons and to liberate the captives to augment their forces. -As their financial resources were limited, they signified their -intention of looting the palace and the treasury in the hope of -encouraging the bravery of their fellow-conspirators by the prospect -of a rich booty. - -On the appointed day, before striking the first blow, the two Princes -wrote to their brother, who was holding office in Louvo, to advise him -to put as great a distance as he could between himself and the Court. -He received the letter at nightfall and the messenger disappeared -without waiting for an answer. The hasty departure of the messenger -aroused the prince's suspicions and guessing that the letter contained -some important secret information, gave it unopened to Faulcon, who -alarmed at the news of the rising, hurried off to inform the King. -Three thousand men were sent to defend the palace. The guards -stationed near Louvo prevented the outbreak of the revolt by their -vigilance. Forbin was sent to Bangkok to attend to the defence of that -important port. - -The conspirators ignorant of the discovery of their plot, assembled to -carry out their designs. When the three hundred Malays, whom the -conspirators had been endeavouring to win over, had discovered the -nature of the plot, they became highly indignant and protested that -far from wishing to betray the King their benefactor, they were ready -to shed their blood in his defence. - -Their fidelity brought back many to a proper sense of their position. -The Mahomedan priest trembled for his life and saw no better way out -of his difficult position than by revealing the secrets of those whom -he had deceived. The princes no longer doubted that they were -discovered, especially when they learnt that the palace was defended -by three thousand men and that armed guards were keeping watch on the -ramparts. - -They returned home without striking a blow. The King, although he -could have punished them very severely, showed his clemency and -pardoned them. - -The Malay leader, who had been the arch-plotter deserted the camp of -the Princes whom he had so seriously compromised. He divulged all the -secrets and sources of the plot and avowed that he had only served -with the Princes in order to be able to disclose the matter to the -King. - -Faulcon was sent to interview the rebels and to induce them to return -to their allegiance. He pardoned all those who came and acknowledged -their faults. The Malays who had rebelled simply because they had been -prevailed upon by the others, gave testimony of their repentance and -obedience in future. But the Macassars, who were unprincipled -scoundrels, showed a ferocious courage that feared death less than the -shame of submission. Their Prince was frequently ordered to appear -before the King's tribunal, not to be judged, but merely to -acknowledge his guilt and to reveal the names of his -fellow-conspirators. He excused himself on various pretexts and -alleged that although he was not guilty, yet he could not endure the -shame of having to justify his actions. If he had anything to reproach -himself with, it was the fact that he was unable to reveal the names -of those who had entrusted him with their secrets, but that his -dignity would have been compromised had he condescended to play the -part of a spy and informer, and furthermore that far from wishing to -betray the King to whom he owed so much, he was incapable of traducing -the very least of his friends. The King who could not subdue his pride -by kindness, found that he was obliged to resort to force. But the -Macassars too hardy to blench at the approach of death, gave him to -understand that the most formidable enemies are those who are prepared -to die. - -Hearing of their resistance, the King of Macassar sent slaves and -money to the rebellious princes to ensure them a means of subsistance. - -A Malay captain, one of the ringleaders of the revolt, thought that he -could take advantage of the ship which had brought these gifts to -Bangkok, to find a home in some other land. But the Chevalier de -Forbin by means of a warrant he had received for his arrest, prevented -his escape. He had asked for, and obtained a passport to leave the -Kingdom, but on his arrival at the chain stretched as a barrier across -the river, Forbin sent an order that he should land and give an -account of the members of his suite. - -The Captain, perceiving the threatened danger, replied that he would -only submit to the governor's order on condition of his being -accompanied by all his suite bearing arms. - -After some deliberation he was allowed to land with an escort of eight -soldiers armed with daggers. These daggers are formidable weapons as -they are usually poisoned. The possession of one of these daggers is a -mark of honourable distinction among the Macassars, and the surrender -of it to an enemy is considered to be the greatest disgrace, and -whoever draws his weapon and does not succeed in killing his adversary -is held to be dishonoured in the sight of the nation. The captain, -apprehensive of danger, fearlessly disembarked from his ship and made -it known to his companions that it was his determination to plunge his -dagger into the breast of the first man that attempted to disarm him. -On his arrival at the fort he was ordered to send for the rest of his -suite who remained in the ship. He was obliged to yield as the hall -was filled with soldiery. An officer commanded him in the King's name, -to surrender his dagger, but instead of obeying, the Malay stabbed him -to the heart. Two Siamese soldiers tried to seize him, but they met -with the same fate as their officer, and a fourth man succumbed to his -blows. Then in a frenzy of rage he and his companions rushed on the -soldiers who were armed with pikes, and forced their way through in -defiance of death. They sprang upon a bastion, but the musketry fire -compelled them to leap into the fosse. Some, even were able to make a -stand against the guards posted to stop their flight, but, sorely -wounded, they received the fatal strokes they had desired to deal. -When the captain lay dying in the dust, a French officer advanced to -seize his dagger, but instead of grasping it by the handle, he only -managed to get the scabbard. The Macassar, recalled to action by the -fear of losing his weapon, snatched it and ripped up his adversary and -exhausted by the effort, died together with him. By this stubborn -resistance Forbin was assured that the survivors would sell their -lives dearly. He turned out the garrison which numbered four hundred. -There were only thirty-two Macassars and they were reduced to -desperation. These savages, more like wild beasts than men, wished to -dictate terms rather than to make them. They demanded the body of -their captain and threatened to punish the French if they refused to -give it up. When they perceived that Forbin was making preparations to -attack them, they made ready for a vigorous defence. They twisted -strips of cloth round their arms and shoulders to serve as shields. An -English captain, underrating the strength of these fanatics, told the -general that he would go forth and bring them back in chains. He -advanced, but soon fell a victim to his daring. The Macassars fell -upon him and stabbed both him and his followers through and through -with their daggers. The garrison on seeing this rash venture, were -panic-stricken and broke their ranks. Forbin made vain efforts to -rally them and ran a great risk of losing his own life. If the -Macassars had but known how to take advantage of the terror they had -inspired, they could have rendered themselves masters of the fort. But -as they were more desirous of the blood of their enemies than of -dictating terms; they massacred without mercy all the soldiers, women -and children who fell into their hands. Having glutted their thirst -for vengeance, they dispersed into the jungle where they suffered -greatly from hunger and the attacks of leeches and mosquitoes. They -were hunted like wild beasts, and in spite of their desperate -condition, they had the courage to face death with their weapons in -readiness. They appeared merely to regret the fact of death in cases -where they could not take the lives of their adversaries. - -Those who were taken alive, begged for death, and tired of life, they -merely desired the same fate as their companions whom they did not -wish to survive. - -The Prince of the Macassars, to whom the fate of his companions should -have been a warning, ought to have yielded himself to the mercy of the -King; but he still persisted in his refusal to appear at Court. - -A force of 6000 men under the command of Faulcon was sent to force his -submission. This body of troops ought to have been more than -sufficient to crush a handful of undisciplined men, but the Macassars -are the bravest and most determined of the Eastern races. Energetic -and fearless in danger, they despise luxurious habits that sap -vitality and extinguish all sparks of courage. - -On hearing the trumpets sounding the attack, they maddened themselves -with drugs and in a blind frenzy of passion fell upon the foe. -Faulcon, who relied on strategy more than on numerical superiority, -embarked in a ship with an Englishman the captain of a war-vessel -stationed at the bar of the river. He was accompanied by a missionary -and several Europeans who were more reliable than the Siamese who -trembled at the mere mention of the name of the enemy. - -The captain of the guard at, the head of fourteen slaves, made an -advance in the direction of the Macassar camp, without taking -precautions to cover his retreat. A Macassar with thirty men springing -from an ambush fell upon them and slew the captain and seven of the -slaves. The remainder of the party fled in the darkness. At the same -time the English captain of the war vessel made an attack on the -extreme point of the camp. Their musketry fire riddled the Macassar -huts and caused the inmates to beat a hasty retreat. The captain, -followed by a dozen Englishmen and a French officer pursued them. The -Macassars turned at bay and then with a haughty defiance, advanced, -armed with their daggers, determined neither to ask nor to give -quarter. The English captain fell dead on the scene of the combat, his -companions fled in terror, and the French officer had to swim for his -life. - -The Macassars deserted their ruined camp and endeavoured to reach the -Portuguese quarter in order to make a furious attack on the -Christians. Faulcon seeing their plan, made arrangements to circumvent -it; and, followed by eight Frenchmen, two Siamese and one Japanese, -unwisely made a frontal attack. He advanced, but the enemy had formed -up in two parties to cut off his retreat. Maddened by their drugs, -they fell upon his little band like hungry tigers upon their prey and -Faulcon seeing that he was in danger of being overwhelmed by numbers, -beat a hurried retreat after losing half of his men. - -It was evident that the attack must be made more warily and that it -was useless to imagine that mere force of numbers would be sufficient -to crush them. Faulcon rallied his whole army and fell upon the foe -who fought with the courage born of despair. At length the Macassars, -overwhelmed by numbers, retired, some to their huts and others behind -hedges of bamboos. Twenty two of their number took refuge in a temple -and resolved to bury themselves in its ruins. The huts were fired, but -the Macassars did not emerge from them until, they were nearly burnt. -Then to cut short the agony, they rushed forward sword in hand on the -pikes of their foes and fought till they died pierced through and -through, The Macassar Prince, wounded by a ball in the shoulder, -perceived Faulcon, the man whom he considered to be his most dangerous -enemy. The thirst of revenge lent him strength, and mad with rage, he -advanced on his hated rival, but as he was in the act of striking with -his javelin; he was shot by a French soldier. - -Those who had taken refuge in the temple, surrendered without striking -a blow. Thirty three more who had been severely wounded were taken -prisoners. One of the sons of the Prince, a boy of 12 years of age, -implored the mercy of the conqueror. He was shown his father's corpse. -"Alas," he exclaimed "he was the cause of our country's miseries, but -I feel his loss none the less keenly." - -A few remarks on these curious people might be made here. It is quite -a novelty to find in an enervating climate, such an example of -ferocity. The Macassars have no knowledge of fire-arms and they regard -them as detrimental to personal prowess, because they render modes of -attack by bodily strength of no avail. Besides this type of weapon -hinders the user from tasting the fruits of vengeance and leaves him -ignorant of the number of the slain. On the other hand, this dislike -for fire arms may be due to the fact that they do not know how to use -them, as they would have to surrender their superiority in the art of -hurling lances and assegais. They show the greatest skill in the use -of the sword and dagger, and they employ long blow pipes from which -they shoot arrows tipped with a poisoned fish-bone. Whoever is struck -by one of these deadly missiles has not more than three hours to live. - -Forbin cites an example of their intrepidity. One of these fanatics -was making a rush at him and he stopped him by a spear thrust in the -abdomen, but the Macassar, although mortally wounded was still anxious -to have his revenge. He continued to press forward on the spear, so as -to reach Forbin, who, stepping backwards, still holding him off by the -spear with which he had impaled him; gave time for others to come to -his assistance, and slay the Macassar. Especially when they were -subjected to tortures they evinced the greatest firmness of demeanour. - -Amongst the prisoners were found four soldiers who had deserted, and -these men were selected to serve as an example of severity. At first -they were tortured. Splinters were thrust under their nails, after -which their fingers were crushed. They were then burnt in the arm and -their heads were compressed between two boards. They suffered all -these torments without a murmur. A missionary thought that, exhausted -by torture, they would be easy subjects for conversion and approached -to lead them to Jesus Christ, but the victims deaf to their entreaties -gave no sign save those of pride in the fact they knew how to die. -After having been tortured in every possible way, they were tied up to -a post with their hands and feet bound in order to be devoured by a -hungry tiger that merely sniffed at them. The executioners goaded on -the tiger until it at last devoured its prey. One of the prisoners -watched it eat his own foot without making any effort to withdraw it. -Another hearing the crunching of his own bones, uttered no sound. A -third, while the animal stood licking the blood which was running down -his face did not even care to glance round. The King of Siam spared -the lives of the two sons of the Macassar Prince. They were sent to -Louvo under the charge of a Christian, from Constantinople, who had -entered the Siamese service, and, later, they went to France where -they served in the navy. Faulcon had the bodies of all the rebels -found armed decapitated and exposed the heads in the then deserted -encampment. The English and French who had shared the dangers and who -had been instrumental in his success were loaded with honours and -presents. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE REVOLUTION THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE - DOWNFALL OF FAULCON AND THE FRENCH. - - -Whilst Faulcon was doing his best to ensure the prosperity of the -state, the nobles, jealous of his power and influence were humiliated -by having to be subservient to a foreigner. The priests discredited, -and without the enjoyment of Court favour, saw to their sorrow a -minister, who despised their religion and set an example to the nation -of forsaking their gods and superstitions. The common people, blind to -common sense, and ready to follow any leader as foolish as themselves, -espoused the cause of the priests who, to promote the cause of Heaven, -sowed dissensions broadcast. Kings ought to have learnt by experience -that when a people is discontented, an ambitious man is all that is -required to make it rebellious. A single man suffices to instil into -dull minds the fact that union is strength, and to cause them to pass -from the ignominy of slavery to the desire for freedom. - -The Siamese people, who were murmuring in secret, only awaited a -leader to break out in revolt. Men of all conditions yearned for a -deliverer and any ambitious personage had a chance of assuming this -imposing title. - -An official by name Pitracha, took advantage of the popular discontent -as a basis on which to rear the fabric of his fortune. At first he -sheltered his aims under the cloak of religion; and a hypocritical -zealot in religious matters, he gained the confidence of the priests -and people, who regarded him as the protector of their temples and of -their ancestral form of worship. This imposter in disguise took the -surest means to stir up the fires of rebellion, as the mob invariably -supports those who take up arms on behalf of their religion. - -Some say that Pitracha was born to be galley-slave rather than to -succeed to a throne, but I can affirm that, from reliable information -received, that he was of the blood royal and even first cousin to the -reigning King. His mother who had been nurse to the King had two -children, Pitracha who has been mentioned, and a daughter. Both these -children had been brought up in the Palace and had been the playmates -of the King in his youth. First impressions are the most durable, and -the King had always a kindly feeling for the playfellow of his youth, -whom he afterwards advanced to the highest official position in the -Kingdom. The daughter who was comely and pleasing withal, was admitted -to the harem and became the favourite wife. Unfortunately she -conceived a guilty passion for the King's brother and as there were -too many spies about for the liaison to be kept secret for long, the -faithless wife was condemned to be devoured by tigers. - -Pitracha dissembled his resentment so as not to lose favour; and the -King, charmed with the apathy he exhibited, ordered him to chastise -the offending prince with a rattan. - -Pitracha carried out his instructions with such effect that the Prince -dragged out a wretched existence; as the punishment had caused severe -injuries. - -The other brother of the King had been implicated in the Macassar -plot, and this fact added to his natural vicious habits debarred him -from any possibility of obtaining the throne. - -The fact of the King being in poor health, and of his having no heirs -was favourable to ambitious designs. - -Pitracha though small in stature was high spirited. His physiognomy -was interesting; his glittering eyes seemed to pierce the inmost -depths of one's thoughts and although 56 years of age, he still had -the strength of youth. His natural eloquence won the hearts of all. -Popular amongst his subordinates, and haughty towards his rivals, he -adopted even with the King, the tone of a censor animated by the -public welfare. His frankness was a clever artifice by which he might -reproach the King with his faults or those of his ministers, whom he -rendered odious, by acting the part of the zealous citizen. Although -he managed to conceal his criminal designs, his more indiscreet -followers embittered the people by the announcement that the minister -(Faulcon) in calling in the French soldiery was scheming to place the -sceptre in their hands, and to raise Christianity on the ruins of the -faith of their forefathers. - -The alarm or the nation was strengthened by the fact that Bangkok and -Mergui had been handed over to the French and the same fact gave -colour to their statements. - -Pitracha, calm in the midst of the general turmoil, pretended to -deplore the evils for which in reality he was responsible. He had a -rival for the King's favour, and he considered it wise to help his -rival's claims so that he might the more readily be able to compass -his downfall. - -There was a favourite at Court named Monpit aged twenty-two years whom -the King had loaded with honours. The licence that both he and his -relatives enjoyed, gave credit to the rumour that he was the offspring -of a secret amour between the King and a concubine; and that he had -been chosen as heir to the throne. The eyes of all were fixed on this -rising star which was confidently expected to preside one day over the -destinies of the nation. - -His inexperience rendered him an easy prey; and the favour he enjoyed -rendered him unsuspicious. - -Pitracha, accustomed to Court life, where a kiss is the usual prelude -to treachery, found in him a suitable tool for the accomplishment of -his designs. He pointed out to him, that as he had been adopted by the -King as his son, he had only one step to take to become his successor; -but that he ought to act with boldness so as not to render the -promises of fortune worthless. - -Monpit dazzled by visions of power, surrendered his will entirely to -the counsels of an enemy in the guise of a patron. He begged Pitracha -to act as his father and promised to share the throne with him. - -The Court was ruled by three men, all of whom were actuated by -different motives. - -The moribund King had but a shadow of that power of which the -favourites possessed the reality. The hearts of all the nation beat -for Pitracha, who artfully appeared to despise the power which in -secret he coveted. His devotion to the priests had enlisted them in -his cause, and there are no more zealous partisans than those who -imagine they perceive in an ambitious hypocrite, a defender of their -temples and rites. - -His designs could not escape the notice of Faulcon who was -sufficiently clear sighted to see their aim, but was too weak to -circumvent them. Full of confidence in the French, he considered that -he could oppose them as a rampart against the assaults of enemies. - -He had been informed that Pitracha had counterfeited the seals of -state so as to be able to issue orders favourable to his schemes. His -emissaries, spread throughout the provinces, were raising forces under -pretext of guarding against imaginary dangers. Pitracha, despairing of -ingratiating himself with Faulcon, sought means to undo him by -pandering to his self esteem, by means of the encomiums that the -office holder invariably imagines are his due. "It is unfortunate for -you and for the State," he said, "that being a foreigner, you are not -eligible for the throne, as otherwise you would rule as King, an -Empire that you administer to-day in your official capacity." - -"The King, who is well aware of the incapacity of his brothers would -always have a scruple against giving us such masters. If by some -unlucky chance, they came into power, they would use it against the -favourites and officials whom they hate as the authors of the -punishments they have had to bear. Believe me, let us anticipate their -revenge and as soon as the King is dead, let us take possession of the -palace. I would see that you were conducted to Bangkok by my friends -and there you could bid defiance to any who might wish to supplant -you, Monpit is working in your interests and in mine. Our safety is -dependant on our union, but for my own part I have resolved to bury -myself in solitude and to consecrate the rest of my life to the -worship of our gods whom it is quite impossible to serve amid the -stress of state affairs." Faulcon did not believe a single word of -this, and was convinced that ambitious men have no disinterested -friends. He replied that he intended to remain faithful to the service -of his master, and that he considered it treasonable to form any -league; and assured those who looked for his co-operation that he -would only act on behalf of the King's interests. - -He resisted the temptation of revealing the matter to the King and -besides the fear of aggravating the illness of the Royal patient -caused him to dissemble. He had no convincing proofs to bring against -the guilty parties and he might have exposed himself to the risk of -punishment inflicted for slander. The King would have with difficulty -given credence to his recital, and his deluded heart would have -justified his favourites. Had Pitracha been exposed, the plots would -only have come to a head, and as no precautionary measures had been -taken, it was necessary to dissemble. - -It is politic to ignore crime that cannot be punished. Faulcon, in -order to retain his prestige in sight of the people, let it be -understood that it was he who had been the cause of Pitracha's -advancement; and in favouring his cause so as to the more easily bring -about his downfall determined that the dying King should hand over the -regency of the Kingdom to him. Pitracha made great protestations of -gratitude in order to be afterwards ungrateful for his success. He -played his part so well that the Greek, who considered himself a -past-master in the art of plumbing the depths of a man's character, -believed that he had no more zealous partisan, especially since his -advice was always followed in the councils of state. As the keeper of -the King's conscience, he was exposed to the danger of causing the -happiness of the few and of arousing the hostility of the many. Every -case heard before his tribunal increased the number of his enemies, -because those who gained the day were never grateful to justice, while -the losers imputed their defeat to the corruption of the judges. - -The new regent had no more eloquent panegyrist than the man whom he -wished to destroy, and the King delighted in listening to the praises -which the minister showered on his secret enemy. The King charged them -to continue to work harmoniously together as the public welfare -depended on their concord. He made them embrace each other as a pledge -of eternal affection, but the favours of courtiers are but as snares -for the credulous, who are influenced by externals only. - -Faulcon's friends who were more clear sighted warned him of the -approaching storm, but he was blinded by his uninterrupted successes; -and prosperity unmixed with reverses had made him forget that Fortune -is apt to desert her favourites. Accustomed to being in authority he -never considered for one moment that his credit might fail; and a -fortunate office-holder invariably believes himself to be a necessity -to his employers. - -M. de Metellopolis, with more foresight, pointed out the gulf yawning -under him, but Faulcon treated him with the scorn which is the reward -of dreamers who offer visions for realities. A Jesuit was hounded with -ignominy from his presence for having had the boldness to give him -some advice, and he was indiscreet or ill-natured enough to reveal to -the other officials the sources from which he had obtained his -information. - -At last his eyes were opened to the dangers, but it was too late to -find a remedy. The King suffering from dropsy, was sinking rapidly. As -he could now no longer hide the approach of Death; he nominated Monpit -as his successor. - -His friends and relations filled all the important offices, and troops -had been raised to support his candidature. Faulcon, ever devoted to -the interests of his master, acted on his behalf, but Pitracha -condemned his action in no measured terms. He proclaimed that it was -his determination to place the crown on the head of the King's brother -whom he would set up as an imposing phantom so as in reality to secure -the power for himself. Pitracha was the wire-puller of this -macheviellian policy and to attract the Princes to the court, -pretended that the King their brother wished to nominate one of them -as his successor. - -They hesitated for a long time before yielding to his pressing -solicitations. The youngest, braver or perhaps more ambitious than the -rest, presented himself at the court with the Princess whom he had -just married. They were given a magnificent reception. All the nobles -hastened to render homage, but Monpit and Faulcon alone held aloof. -The eldest of the Princes on his arrival shortly afterwards, refused -to receive either Monpit or Faulcon when they asked for an audience. - -As soon as the regent had all those who might cross his path in his -power, he resolved to wait patiently for the death of the King and -then to be proclaimed as his successor. - -But having been informed by his spies that an armed force, was -advancing to support the claims of Monpit, he resolved to hasten the -consummation of his crimes. Monpit, who for several days had been -watching by the bedside of the dying King; was called out of the room -and stabbed to death by the emissaries of Pitracha, regardless of the -outcries of the King who implored them to spare his son. At last, -Faulcon who had been lulled to a sense of false security, realised the -condition of affairs. He could only cure the evil, by striking at the -root, namely by arresting Pitracha, and thus secure the loyalty of the -disaffected; but he was powerless, as he himself was surrounded by -enemies in a court where Royal favour and the fact of his being a -foreigner had drawn upon him the hatred of all. There was only one -resource left, and that was the assistance of the French soldiery. He -instructed them to assemble under arms at Louvo and told them that -their presence was necessary to the mutual interests of the allied -monarchs. The rapidity with which Des Farges took action showed that -he was ready to do everything for the benefactor of his nation. - -He set out with 100 picked men of his garrison and this little band -was sufficient to overawe thousands of the Siamese. The general passed -through the capital before proceeding to Louvo, but at this point -timidity prevented his further advance. The report that the King was -dead had been disseminated by the rebels, who wished to sound the -popular feeling, and everything pointed to a generally disturbed state -of affairs. Des Farges went to the Seminary and thought it would be -wise to hold a consultation with those who lived there. - -The protection that the missionaries had enjoyed caused him to regard -their abode as an inviolable sanctuary, and the confidence he reposed -in them, invited him to follow the wisdom of their experience. - -The Missionaries, deceived by the popular rumours, told him that he -would be running useless risks, that the roads were lined with -ambuscades ready to annihilate all the French. - -The general, unmoved by these tales dictated without doubt by the -desire they had for his safety, appeared to wish to persevere in his -design of going to the rescue of the King and his minister. - -He was all the more anxious to do so as he foresaw that the downfall -of Faulcon would mean his own ruin, and, that shut up without hope of -succour in a town ill-fortified and badly provisioned, he would be -obliged to submit to any humiliating condition they might impose upon -him. - -Not however wishing to precipitate matters, he sent one of his -officers to Louvo to find out how matters really stood. Whilst he -lingered at the capital, a secret rumour aroused the inhabitants -against him. It was reported that the object of the French forces in -going to Louvo was the pillage of the public treasury, and that they -intended to dispose of the throne as they pleased. In order to -reassure the inhabitants the general thought it more prudent to -withdraw his little army whose presence had caused such alarm. He -retired a distance of two leagues from the town, and was met by his -envoy who gave him an account of the events at Court. Whether this -officer had been misled by his own fears or that he was convinced that -there was imminent danger, his recital so alarmed Des Farges that he -believed the reports he had heard on his arrival in the capital. So, -instead of marching to glory, his only idea was that of retreat; he -was no longer a warrior ready to encounter danger that his friend -might be saved. - -Des Farges, followed the advice of his timorous companions and -returned to Bangkok; but, before his departure, wrote to Faulcon to -justify his retreat. He informed him that, as it was reported that the -King had died, he thought it would be rash to withdraw his troops from -a position on which their safety depended, and that he might be -punished if he were to endanger the lives of the soldiers under his -command without sufficient reason, and that finally he offered him and -his family shelter in a place that the French had resolved to defend -to the last. - -The friends of the fallen minister slandered the Bishop of -Metellopolis and the missionaries. They blamed them for the disgrace -of the French retreat. The chief authors of this calumny were those -who were obliged to refute it. Jealous of the esteem in which this -prelate was held and because he was not ambitious, they strove to -decry the missionaries, so as to gain all the consideration they -enjoyed, and to raise themselves on their ruin. But the defence of the -prelate was an easy matter. Ought he to have concealed a danger which -was imminent? Had the troops been cut to pieces, with what horror -would not Europe have learnt that a French Bishop, misled by -overconfidence, had kept silence about what ought to have been -revealed. Would he not have been rightly considered the author of a -massacre of his fellow-citizens? Duty obliged him to reveal the -reasons of his fear. It was for the commander to reject or to follow -his advice. But it is certain that had he marched to Louvo he would -have failed in the first of his duties, namely to remain on guard at -his post. - -Faulcon left to the mercy of his enemies, complained bitterly that the -French had deserted him, and on hearing the news, exclaimed. "Alas -they do not consider that they themselves will be involved in my -downfall," and turning to his retinue, asked them to follow him to the -church saying "I was wrong to trust to human aid, I wait for God only. -There is His House, He alone can suffice to protect and defend me." - -He positively refused to accept the commander's offer of shelter, as -it would have justified the slanderous reports that he had handed over -the place to foreigners so as to arrange for a place of safety in time -of danger. - -Instead of flight, he preferred to reveal part of the danger which -threatened the State to the King. The remedy lay in the choice of a -successor who could subdue the disaffected. The Prince proclaimed his -daughter as Queen and allowed her to select whichever of her uncles -she might prefer as her husband. - -So feeble a measure was not sufficient to remove the cause of the -disaffection rife everywhere. Factions increased, and the ringleaders -were only waiting a favourable opportunity to break out in open -revolution. The policy pursued by the conspirators towards Faulcon, -lulled him to a sense of false security. He still perceived the -danger, but he thought it had been relegated to the future. He sought -the King and said "Sire, the time for repining and speech is over. We -must act, and that silently." - -"Decisive measures must be taken against the impending evils, and a -half hearted policy will only favour the progress of their designs. If -Pitracha be arrested, the conspiracy will come to naught. Remember -that the greatest secrecy is absolutely necessary to the success of -this enterprise, and, to be successful, we must dissemble our -feelings." The King understood the importance of this advice, but -weakened by illness was unable to keep the matter secret, and he could -not resist the temptation of breaking out into threats and reproaches. -Pitracha's suspicions were aroused mid he anticipated matters. He -assembled his retainers and pointed out the serious nature of the -situation. Without delay they marched on the Palace and possessed -themselves of the King. Faulcon, alarmed at this sudden turn of -events, would not follow the advice of his friends who desired him to -remain at home to await the upshot of affairs. His impolitic -attachment to the King was the cause of his downfall, and believing -that inaction would be detrimental to the favours he enjoyed, followed -the promptings of courage and duty. - -He went to the Palace accompanied by Beauchamp, Fretteville, -Vaudrille, Laise and the Chevalier des Farges, all of whom were French -officers. He was followed by two Portuguese and sixteen Englishmen who -were in his pay as guards. He took his departure and said to his wife -"Farewell for ever, madame. The King is a prisoner, and I am going to -die at his feet." - -His zeal and courage buoyed him up in the hope that with this little -band, he could force his way to the room of his master, but no sooner -had he entered the outer courtyard of the palace, than Pitracha at the -head of a Siamese force arrested him on the charge of high treason. - -His first thought was to defend himself but on seeing that his guards -had basely deserted him, saw that resistance was useless. The French -officers however justified the confidence he had in their courage, and -alone, they thought they could scatter the armed mob, but Faulcon -exhorted them to give up their swords and they were led off to the -common prison under pretext of rescuing them from the fury of the -crowd. - -Pitracha, now absolute master of the King's fate left him the empty -title of King with the shadow of power, and to render the fact of his -usurpation less objectionable, merely took the title of chief minister -of State. - -All submitted to him. The priests whom he had deceived by his -hypocrisy, belauded him as the defender of their faith. The officials -regarded him as the liberator of their country from the oppression of -the foreigner. The populace, were foolish enough to imagine that a -change of masters, would be the prelude to a happier condition of -existance. - -The usurper, now assured of the support of the whole nation, saw that -the French were the sole obstacles in his path. To him they seemed -invincible, as they possessed the two strongest positions in the -Kingdom. He sent for M. de Metellopolis, who fearing punishment for -having advised Des Farges, excused his attendance on the ground of -ill-health. - -M. de Lionne, Bishop of Rosalie, however acted as his substitute. -Pitracha insolently addressed him in these words. - -"It is with the greatest disgust that I learn that the French troops -who come to Siam to serve the King, refuse to obey his commands. I -order you to write to their commander to enforce their obedience. -Should he persist in his contumacious behavior you shall suffer for -it, I will give your Seminary and Church over to pillage, all the -French shall be blown from the cannon's mouth, and every Christian -shall be put to death." - -M. de Rosalie replied that although he had no authority over the -French commander, he would endeavour to arrange matters that Des -Farges should come to Louvo in person. This offer was accepted, and -the prelate accompanied by two officials who had been members of the -embassy to France, set out for Bangkok. - -Des Farges, on learning the nature of the mission at first was -uncertain as to how he should act. At last he decided to set out and -to follow M. de Rosalie and the two officials with one of his sons, -the other being detained as a prisoner in Bangkok. - -Pitracha haughtily reproached him with his refusal to bring up the -troops that the King impatiently demanded. He threatened to employ -force if his demands were not complied with and informed him that ten -positions as strong as Bangkok would be but feeble ramparts against -the vengeance he premeditated. - -Des Farges replied with the greatest moderation to these threats and -having waited till Pitracha had exhausted the exuberence of his -verbosity, said "The King my master sent me here in command of troops -at the bidding of the King of Siam his ally only, but since these -troops cause trouble, kindly order that ships may be furnished us or -grant us permission to equip the same. The speed with which we shall -hasten our departure, shall leave no doubt of the good will of the -King my master." This proposal was rejected and Pitracha sharply -ordered him to write to his lieutenant to bring up the troops. - -The commander replied that as he was not at his post, he no longer had -the authority, and that the only way to ensure the obedience of the -garrison would be to allow him to return to Bangkok. He promised to do -his utmost to persuade them to obey his wishes, and in addition, -offered to give his children as hostages for his word. Pitracha gave -his consent. But on the return of Des Farges to the fort, the officers -and soldiers swore they would leave it only to return to their native -land. Pitracha, hearing of their determination advanced with an army. -The French evacuated the fort they had occupied opposite to Bangkok, -and the Siamese taking possession of it commenced hostilities. De -Bruant and Beauregard, who were in command at Mergni, fearing that -they would shortly be attacked made ready tor a vigorous defence. They -were not about to fight for mere glory, a more powerful incentive -fired their hearts. It was a case of life and death itself. The -Siamese ordered them to capitulate, but were repulsed with severe -loss, and, the conquerors having seized one of their vessels as well -as an English ship then in harbour, embarked and set sail for -Pondicherry where they landed without further mishap. - -The French, shut up in Bangkok were a source of annoyance to the -usurper who was sure that M. de Metellopolis would have had more -influence over them than M. de Rosalie. He ordered the former to be -conducted to Bangkok by an escort of "Tattoed Arms" who are the -bailiffs arid minions of the law. The servants of the prelate were the -victims of innumerable insults from these officials who are as -cowardly as they are insolent. They were pilloried, bound, and half -strangled and exposed almost naked to the burning rays of the sun, to -the importunities of insects, and to the extremes of hunger and -thirst. The Bishop and M. Basset a missionary were equally targets for -their witticisms. The bulk of their clothes were taken away and even -their hats. This was but the commencement of the cruelties practised -then in the fort opposite to Bangkok. The officer in charge exposed -them on a bastion in range of the French artillery which did not cease -fire until the victims had been recognised. - -The stubborn resistance of the French modified the hostile disposition -of the Siamese. Pitracha who on the death of the King had succeeded to -the throne, thought he ought to get rid of guests too warlike not to -be a subject of dread. He resolved that they should take ship for -Pondicherry on condition that the Bishop and the Missionaries would -engage on peril of their lives that the ships and sailors with which -they would be furnished, should be returned. While the new King was -negociating with the French, his heart, a prey to the anxieties and -suspicions which are the first punishments that crime brings in its -train, thirsted for the blood of his enemies. - -Faulcon who formerly been an object of fear to him was singled out for -his first act of vengeance. As soon as the tyrant had him in is power, -he caused him to be led in triumph on the walls of the palace. - -This favourite of fortune, now fallen into the deepest disgrace, was -cast into a filthy dungeon to which admission was refused to everyone. -Some say that the head of Monpit was fastened to his neck as a -punishment for his complicity. In addition the soles of his feet were -burnt, and his head was placed in a vice in order to make him -acknowledge crimes he had never committed. This man, formerly the -centre of an admiring throng was now guarded in a narrow prison by -barbarous gaolers who kept at a distance those who might have procured -some respite for him. - -His wife however discovered the place of his confinement and she -obtained permission to supply him with a few necessaries. - -The usurper, who still retained a trace of humanity had restored to -her son whom the soldiers had carried off; but this was only a passing -favour, the natural ferocity of the tyrant softened but for a moment. - -She was suspected of having concealed immense wealth, and that was -quite sufficient cause for her to be treated as a criminal. Her -weapons, documents and even her clothes were taken away; a guard was -posted in front of her house and a sentry at the door of her room. The -brutal soldiers who watched all her actions caused her to complain -bitterly. "Well" she remarked "What have I done to be thus treated -like a felon." But ashamed of her weakness she rose superior to fear -and misfortune. She had need of all her fortitude and contempt for -earthly possessions. Two days afterwards an armed force seized the -furniture, money and jewels which the palace contained. Unmindful of -the loss of so much property she cried out. "At last God alone remains -for us and no one can take Him from us." - -The insatiable spoilers suspected that she had hidden the bulk of her -wealth and their pitiless leader threatened her with death. He ordered -two executioners to come forward and at a signal, they struck her on -the arms without regard for the weakness of her sex. Her grandfather -and son witnessed her sufferings and showed their sympathy by cries -and tears. All the servants who had chosen to share their sorrows were -punished for showing their sympathetic attitude. - -The wretched family knelt at the feet of the official, who, enraged at -not being able to find a new victim, ordered the executioners to -redouble their blows. "Alas" cried the wretched woman covered with -blood, "have mercy on me or at least take me away that my relations -see not my sufferings." - -These words coming from a woman aged twenty-two years who was both -beautiful and of a noble disposition made not the slightest impression -on the official. He ordered her to be taken away together with her son -and her slaves and only set her grandfather free on account of his age -and infirmities. - -For a long time no one knew where she had been imprisoned. A -missionary, passing by the palace stables saw her aunt who had been -confined with her. With difficulty he obtained permission to see her -for a moment. He found her in a dismal dungeon, stretched on a mat -with her unhappy and innocent son by her side whose lamentations -seemed to reproach her for having brought him into the world to -suffer. - -This woman, brought up in luxury and splendour, bore her hard fate as -if she had been born to it. She displayed that serenity of mind which -is a sure indication of a calm and pure soul and she appeared more at -peace in her gloomy prison than she had been amid the gaieties of the -palace. - -For some time they respected the life of Faulcon since he was under -the protection of the King of France and they feared to incur the -vengeance of the French troops. But the usurper on seeing how little -interest the French took in their old protector, considered that now -was a chance to get rid with impunity of an enemy who though even in -irons appeared formidable. Sentence of death was pronounced against -him on the charge of high treason, a crime on which those in authority -are wont to arraign fallen ministers. He was punished for having -introduced foreigners, whom he wished to use as a means of self -aggrandisement and for the furtherance of his ambitious designs in the -kingdom. At dusk he was taken from his prison and went by elephant to -a forest near Louvo to receive the fatal stroke. It seems that his -barbarous enemy had chosen the silent forest for the execution ground -as if he wished to bury the horror of his unjust revenge in eternal -silence. - -Faulcon's countenence was pale, but this was caused rather by the -sufferings he had undergone in prison than the fear of the death which -was about to end them. His glance was fixed and he uttered no groan or -complaint; he seemed lost in communion with the God he was so shortly -to meet. - -Having arrived at the spot where he was to meet his doom, he saw the -son of the tyrant who was in charge of the execution. He turned -towards him, not to implore mercy but to ask for time to make his -peace with the Judge before Whom he was so soon to appear. - -The soldiers seemed distressed to see one before whom the people and -the nobility but so recently had bowed down, now brought to so -pitiable a condition. Having finished his prayer, he protested that he -was innocent, but that in dying guiltless, he had at least the -consolation of being able to expiate, by a painful death, the -weaknesses and follies of a life devoted to the pursuit of fruitless -ambition. - -He added that during the whole course of his tenure of office, the -only motives by which his policy had been directed, were the glory of -the true God, the service of his King, and the interests of the State. - -After this protest he spoke a second time to the young official in -these words, rendered more pathetic by their eloquent grief rather -than by any devices of art. - -"I am about to die. Remember that even if I am guilty, I leave a wife -and child who are innocent. For them I ask neither rank nor wealth, -but at least let them enjoy freedom and life." - -Having said these words he remained silent and at a signal, the -executioner cut him down with a blow of his sword. - -He fell with a sigh, the last he ever uttered. - -So died at the age of forty one years, a man who had risen from the -petty details of a counting house to the most prominent position in a -great Empire. - -His skill in politics justified his master's choice and he would have -been numbered among the greatest public men of his day had his end -been as brilliant as his beginning. - -If his sagacity had been led astray it is not certain whether that he -feared that, being a stranger, his most disinterested actions would -have been objects of suspicion. Cautious and circumspect as he was he -did not fully grasp the situation of present affairs, as his mind -dwelt more upon eventualities. His virtues were marred by several -faults; passionate and easily moved to anger, he would lose in one -day, the fruits of the work of several years. A man of great ambition, -he showed all the pettiness of vain-glory. - -The magnificence in which he lived was a almost an insult to the -poverty-stricken nation whom it was thought he had plundered. The -produce of every province appeared at his table and four hundred -slaves hastened to serve him, to obey the wishes of his guests and to -make parade of his opulence. Generous to a fault, he spent upwards of -100,000 crowns on gifts during the space of 3 years. His policy -betrayed by the wishes of the moment, blinded him to the fact that -bounties of this kind are more apt to give rise to suspicion than to -cause happiness. After his conversion to the Roman faith he submitted -to all its dogmas and practiced all its precepts and although a public -man, he believed he could not dispense with the obligations binding on -private individuals. - -His wife, still languishing in prison, forgot her own sufferings in -lamenting the demise of her husband. "Well" she exclaimed "Why is he -dead? What was his crime that he should have been treated like a -felon." An official, a relative of Pitracha's who was standing near -her whispered that his crimes had been the favour he had enjoyed, and -his natural abilities. - -Shortly after this, she and her son were condemned to the humiliation -of slavery and she was set free that she might perform her duties. - -The death of the King and his brothers had happened prior to the -execution of Faulcon. - -It was rumoured by some that the King had been poisoned, while others -averred that the weariness of captivity was the cause of his death. - -Pitracha, who held the fate of his master in his hands, and seeing -that the King was on the point of death, thought it politic to compass -the destruction of the King's brothers who might have put difficulties -in the way of his succession. - -He caused them to be put into velvet bags and handed them over to the -executioners who beat them to death with clubs of sandalwood. - -This method of death which had no disgrace attached to it, was -reserved for Princes of the blood-royal. - -The King shortly followed his brothers to the grave. This Prince, who -had been so ardent a partisan of the French, has been depicted by them -in glowing colours. - -Though naturally of a warlike disposition, but a true friend of his -people, he preferred to adopt a policy of pacification rather than to -follow his inclinations which would have caused public misfortunes. - -Though keeping his high spirit under control, he was none the less -formidable to his neighbours who preferred to have him for an ally -rather than for an enemy. As a monarch who took deep interest in all -affairs of State, he allowed himself but little leisure; and his sole -relaxation was the chase, the usual pastime of active persons and -sometimes also of those weighed down by anxieties. - -He showed an appreciation of science and art, several foreigners had -been called in to be his instructors and had the soil been good, the -harvest would have been fruitful. - -He left a daughter aged twenty eight years who had been proclaimed -Queen during her father's lifetime, she had her own territories and -officers and soldiers who were subject to her only. - -Every day she gave audience to the wives of the officials, and seated -on a throne she received the homage of these women who crouching on -the ground with bent heads adopted the same posture as did their -husbands when in presence of the King. - -She was severe, almost ferocious and seemed made rather to rule wild -beasts than to govern men. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE BREACH BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND THE USURPER. - - -The revolution was managed so adroitly, that there were no perceptible -changes in public affairs. The palace was the scene of some -disturbance, but outside, everything was peaceful. Pitracha who had -succeeded quietly to the throne went to the capital where he was -proclaimed King amid the shouts of the multitude. The chief offices of -state were held by men of his faction and scorning the baseness of -revenge, as soon as there appeared nothing more to fear from their -actions, he promoted all those of whom he had previously cause to -complain. The people were relieved and his alms to the needy won the -hearts of all. He married the daughter of the late King. At first this -Princess was averse to the union, but fired by ambition, she preferred -life rather than the death which would have been her portion in event -of a refusal. - -The negociations with the French had been brought to a successful -termination and it was agreed that ships and sailors should be -provided to convey them to Pondicherry, and, as a guarantee of good -faith the King sent his two sons who had been at court up to that time -to the French commander. All the officers who had been arrested at -Louvo, were released and from them the details were forthcoming of the -humiliations that they and the Christians of different nationalities -had suffered. The Seminary had been give over to pillage; the -Christian virgins became the prey of the licentious soldiery, the most -favoured of them however being reserved for the harems. The missionary -priests were put in the pillory whence they gave an example to their -flock of how to suffer in silence. - -While preparations were being made for the departure of the French; -their open-hearted generosity very nearly caused an awkward -complication of affairs. Madame Faulcon too weak to endure the -hardships of slavery, asked the Bishop of Metellopolis to gain the -interest of the French commander on her behalf, and to make -arrangements that she might take her departure on board one of their -ships. The Bishop spoke greatly in her favour, but Des Farges, with -more diplomacy than gratitude replied that he was obliged to wait -until the Siamese had supplied him with everything needful for the -voyage and that when all was ready, he would consider her request. -She, however, had grave reasons for hastening her departure and every -moment of delay was vital. - -The son of the King, worn out by debauchery, had conceived a violent -passion for her. She would have considered herself guilty of the death -of her husband had she shared the couch of his murderer. To gain her -consent, in vain did he point out that by this act alone she could -regain her position and rescue her son from the vengeance of his -enemies. The brave woman replied. "Are you unaware who I was and how I -have lived. My religion forbids so sinful a marriage. I loved my -husband with all my soul, and, faithful to his memory, my heart is -closed against any new passion. My son is dear to me and I ought to -live for his sake, but I refuse to buy life at such a price as you -offer." - -The young Prince, whose passions knew no restraint thought he would be -able to conquer her proud spirit by the most tempting promises. But he -met with so stubborn a resistance, that he showed his affection in a -tyrannical fashion. She was carried off to the palace where she had no -defence other than her tears and outcries. - -The Prince, fearing that this abduction would reveal the secret of his -debauched life to his father, already annoyed at his disorderly -conduct, determined to send her back, saying, that as she still -persisted in her resistance, there was nothing left for her but to die -with her son. She took no notice of these threats, she preferred to -die in innocence than to live in guilt. Her grandfather aged 88 who -was a descendant of the famous martyrs of Japan, upheld her -resolution. - -A slighted affection, often becomes cruel. The Prince in order to -frighten her, caused her to be arraigned on a charge of embezzlement. -She was summoned before a tribunal and the judge although convinced of -her innocence ordered her to receive 100 strokes with the rod. She was -delivered to her merciless executioners who seeing her faint under the -punishment; only administered one half of what had been ordered. Her -relations were also punished, she had to endure the agonising -spectacle of beholding two of her uncles, two aunts and her eldest -brother undergoing tortures before her eyes. Her grandfather would -have suffered likewise, had not mercy been shown to him on account of -his infirmities. - -While this courageous woman seemed to have nothing but sorrow as her -portion for the future, Sainte Marie, a young French officer offered -to escort her in safety to Bangkok. She was too unhappy to listen to -prudent advice. She embarked with her son in secret on a vessel -belonging to this officer, determined to risk all if she could but -escape from her persecutors. - -Her arrival at the fort was a signal for general rejoicing but the -commander alone showed his disapproval, and had the pusillanimity to -wish that she should be sacrificed, rather than that a drop of French -blood should be spilt in her defence. "Alas" she exclaimed, "is -Faulcon's widow, the sole person who will have failed to find -sanctuary under the flag of France." - -The King, on hearing of her escape, was convinced that she had carried -off a quantity of valuables with her. He at once sent two officials to -bring her back, and, in case of a refusal, to recommence hostilities. - -As soon as the report of her arrival had spread, the French were -seized with a burning desire to fight to the death for her sake. The -tears of the unfortunate widow, the youth of her son, and the memory -of her husband who had been the protector of the French interests were -telling points in her favour. The officers and soldiers were -unanimous, and all declared that they would rather face death than the -shame of having betrayed the cause of a a distressed woman who had -thrown herself on their protection. - -Des Farges, unshakable in his resolution to send her back to Siam, -made arrangements with M. de Metellopolis whose outspokeness and -skill well fitted him for the negociation of such delicate business. -The Bishop had need of all his urbanity to break such distressing news -to her. He found that she was firmly resolved not to return to Siam on -any account short of actual force. She waited for several days, her -mind wavering between hope and fear until one day a French officer -came to inform her that she must make her preparations for her -departure. - -There was nothing for it but to obey, and she solemnly protested -against the violence which snatched her from the protection of the -French flag. The official who had been sent to bring her back came to -conduct her to the river side where a vessel was lying in readiness. -She was accompanied by her son, by one woman and a missionary whose -zeal sustained her drooping courage. Her distress became the more -acute the further she went from the spot from whence she had been -thrust forth, abandoned by the French whom she still could only regard -as friends. The sight of Siam rendered her grief more poignant; for -there lay the scene of the punishment of her husband and there that -she expected to undergo new tortures and to be parted for ever from -her son, the sole prop of her existance. - -Her lot was happier than she had hoped. The son of the King, rebuffed -by her scorn, no longer desired her, or what is more likely was too -much afraid of his father to give rise to fresh scenes of violence and -scandal. She was appointed to the Royal Kitchens. In the opinion of -the Siamese, this is an honourable post and by no means a humiliation. -She had two thousand women under her orders, as palace servants. She -was entrusted with the care of the gold and silver plate, of the -King's wardrobe and of all the fruits served at table. Her lack of -self interest made her despise the valuable perquisites of her office -and, very different to her predecessors, handed over a considerable -sum every year to the royal treasury. The King of Siam, surrounded by -corrupt and rapacious officials was astonished to see such honesty, -and often said that only Christians could carry the scorn of wealth to -such a pitch. - -Although she was not so unhappy as she had anticipated, she suffered -considerably from the fact that her son had been taken away from her. -For a long time she feared that his education had been entrusted to -the idolatrous priests, but she was much relieved to hear that he was -being brought up at the Seminary in charge of the Bishop and the -French missionaries. - -Her son afterwards obtained a captaincy in the Siamese navy, on the -Coromandel coast. In 1749, he was entrusted with a mission to M. -Dupleix who at that time was Governor-General of the French -possessions in the East Indies. - -The governor, a man of sound abilities though not brilliant, -remembered that he had to deal with the son of one who had been a -friend to his nation. He considered that it was his duty to give him -substantial proofs of the gratitude the French owed him, by granting -him exemption from all taxes levied on foreigners. - -He sent him back, satisfied with the success of his mission and gave -him many valuable gifts. The name of Dupleix will ever be graven on -our annals devoted to citizens who have benefited their country. - -Faulcon, on his return to Siam was favourably received. Having -inherited his father's abilities he might have risen to a high -position. But lavish as his father had been, he desired wealth merely -for the purpose of making presents to Princes and Kings. His bounties, -which ensured his favour at Court, exhausted his resources. He died in -poverty in 1754, leaving his wife a son and several daughters in -absolute want. One of his daughters married a Dutch shipmaster, who -was ruined by the loss of his vessel few years afterwards. - -She soon lost her husband and when the Siamese were led in captivity -to Pegu, she was married again to a Portuguese half-caste by name -Jeanchi, a captain of Burmese regiment, He will be spoken of later. - -The other daughters did not long survive their father. There remains -only a son named John Faulcon, married to a Portuguese in Siam. The -Burmese took him prisoner, but evading the vigilence of his guards, -escaped to Siam with his wife where they lived in obscurity. - -Such were the posterity of the celebrated Constantine Faulcon who, of -humble origin, raised himself to the steps of the throne. - -The obstacle, to the conclusion of the negociations with the French -which had been caused by the flight of Madame Faulcon, was removed by -her return. Both parties were equally anxious to come to an agreement. -The French were desirous of leaving a land where they would only -encounter fruitless and inglorious perils. The Siamese could not but -be uneasy while they still retained guests, of whose heroic valour -they had had such an experience. I cannot refrain from citing two -examples of the intrepid courage of these brave men. - -Saint Cri, a French captain was sailing downstream in a boat, the -Indian crew of which were all drunk and incapable, and he had only two -Europeans with him who were ready for any emergency. - -The Siamese, seeing his defenceless condition made preparations to -board his vessel. - -One of the two Europeans became terrified and swam off to parley with -them, but he was taken prisoner and loaded with chains. Saint Cri, too -weak to offer any resistance, feared lest he should fall into the -hands of these savages. Death appeared to be a preferable alternative -to slavery and brave to desperation as he had but one soldier with -him, put his powder and handgrenades on the bridge. He calmly waited -till a large number of Siamese had boarded his ship, and then, fired -his powder and blew his enemies into the air. - -The ship, damaged by the explosion, ran aground. - -The Siamese, thinking that all the powder had been used up, imagined -that it would be an easy matter to seize the vessel. But Saint Cri -gave them cause to repent their rashness. He fired some bags of powder -that he had kept in reserve and although he himself was among the -slain, this explosion was more deadly than the first. His companion, -sword in hand gained the shore. The savages fell upon him, and, -overwhelmed by numbers, he perished, but not before he had slain five -of his assailants. - -Another case bore witness to the inflexible purpose of the French -commander, whose two sons had been retained as hostages in the -capital. The King made them write to their father saying, that if the -garrison were not brought to Louvo, they would be put to death. The -commander, although devoted to his children, remembered his duties to -the state. He replied "My children I Feel as much for your sad -condition as you do yourselves, I would willingly lay down my life in -order to save yours. I cannot but urge you to follow my example and to -be faithful to duty. If you perish remember that you are dying for -your God, your King, and your country and be sure that your deaths -will not be unpunished." - -Such heroic conduct had made the name of Frenchmen to be feared, and -caused the Siamese to hasten their departure. They were supplied with -three frigates, and to ensure that the ships should be returned, the -Bishop of Metellopolis, the chief of the French trading company, and -the two sons of the commander were given over as hostages. The troops -marched out of the fortress on the first of November 1688, taking with -them two officials as sureties for the King's word. During the night -they sailed down to the mouth of the river. - -The French commander invited the officials who had come with the -French hostages to a great feast. After the meal the Siamese hostages -were asked for, but Des Farges said that he would not return them -until the four vessels bearing the baggage, three officers and -fourteen soldiers, hove in sight. The officials, learning of this -refusal hastened to inform the Barcalon. - -This official was highly incensed at the breach of faith on the part -of the French. He summoned M. de Metellopolis and said "These -careless officials will be severely punished for having released the -French hostages before receiving our own. You and I will both be -involved in the trouble. You will be considered as the accomplice of -the French treachery and I shall be punished for having confided the -matter to untrustworthy persons. Let us find some way of escape from -the danger common to us both." - -The bishop, who had not been informed of the plans of Des Farges, -neither dared to lay the blame on him, nor to find excuses. - -They agreed that if one of the hostages were given up, the Siamese -would deliver over a third part of what they were retaining and that -the remainder would set out for the mouth of the river whenever the -last of the officials should have set sail. - -Des Farges released one official on the spot, but as he had given the -first example of bad faith, the Siamese considered that they were at -liberty to break their word also, and, instead of sending down the -ships, demanded with threats, that the other two hostages should be -restored. - -M. de Metellopolis wrote a pathetic letter to the commander, pointing -out how his line of action would cause the ruin of the French and of -the growing Church. The inflexible resolution of Des Farges could not -be shaken and after having waited five days for the fulfilment of the -Barcalon's promises, he set sail for Malacca en route for Pondicherry -taking with him the hostages who were of no possible use to him. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS AFTER - THE DEPARTURE OF DES FARGES. - - -After the departure of the French, the Christians were left without -defenders. The Siamese highly enraged at the loss of their hostages, -stirred up a sanguinary persecution, and the Bishop of Metellopolis -was the first to suffer. He was taken off his ship and dragged in the -mire with every possible insult, exposed for a long time to the heat -of the sun and to the torments of insects. Some pulled him by the -beard, others spat in his face, and those who could not get near -enough to strike, threw mud at him. - -The Barcalon, witness of all these outrages from which he could have -protected him, seemed to have no pity. - -M. du Har, a French officer, shared the same fate. Both were loaded -with fetters, put on board a boat and taken across the river. On the -bank they found the bodies of their unhappy companions hacked to -pieces. The poor bishop, old and infirm and exhausted by what he had -undergone could not bear to look at this painful spectacle. - -He fainted and fell half dying into the mud, from which he was with -difficulty extricated. He passed all the day and night in his wet and -muddy clothes. - -A spark of the respect which could not be denied to his virtues, -softened the hearts of his persecutors. The Siamese took him to -Bangkok and shut him up in a hut next door to the house of a Christian -woman by whose kindly ministrations he was restored to consciousness. -As soon as he was able to stand the fatigues of the journey he was -taken to the capital. He was placed under a guard of cruel and -rapacious men, who in order to extort money from him, exceeded even -the severe orders of their master. - -The other Frenchmen were cast into the common jail, a place reeking -with disease and filth, where with the idea of death constantly before -their minds, they ceased to dread its approach. - -The brutal soldiery made a raid on the college and carried off the -priests, the students and the servants. They respected neither the -innocence of youth nor the infirmities of age. All were marched off to -prison and handed over to a harsh gaoler who regarded it as an act of -merit to make them suffer hunger and to expose them to the inclemency -of the weather. Seven of the French died under this treatment. The -Missionaries, more accustomed to a hard life, held out longer, but -nine of them died a few days after they had been set at liberty. - -Painful sights were to be seen in every street of the capital. French -priests and officers, almost nude, pale and haggard, dragged -themselves along begging scraps of food which were cast at them with -scorn, and in spite of their weakness they were forced to carry -baskets of filth on their shoulders amid the jeers and coarse jests of -a villainous mob. - -The Mahomedans seemed to lay aside their natural antipathy to -Christians. They took pity on their hard fate. They even took such an -interest in the matter that they drew up a petition saying that it was -against the laws of nations to treat prisoners of war with such -harshness but it was in vain. Their leader, who was an official of the -highest rank, feared that this petition, if presented, would cause him -to lose favour at court. He treated two missionaries who had been -handed over to him, with the greatest severity. They were condemned to -the most painful and degrading tasks. Some English officers, seeing -these aged priests staggering under the weight of their baskets boldly -announced, that if this harsh treatment were not put a stop to, they -would show no mercy to any officials they might meet. They did not -content themselves by the mere utterance of empty threats. They lent a -considerable sum to these unfortunate men. - -The missionaries consider it is their duty to say that wherever they -have met Englishmen, they have experienced their natural generosity. -The wretched plight of the prisoners, touched the hearts of their -oppressors, and their fate was made less hard. - -They were allowed to beg for one hour daily. Sympathisers bestowed -alms on them which were appropriated by the felons chained with them. -Those who had had the good fortune to have escaped persecution by -flight, wandered from hut to hut. - -A Tonquinese Christian gave shelter to several of them in his house in -spite of the edicts to the contrary. - -The Portuguese Jesuits who had avoided persecution by secret means; -made use of their freedom to help their unfortunate co-religionists M. -Pomard a missionary who had cured the King of a dangerous disease, had -not been involved in the general trouble, and it was he who especially -attended to the needs of his brethren. The mere mention of the word -foreigner or the slightest sign of pity was sufficient to arouse the -hatred and fury of the populace. An Armenian who had carried food to -the prisoners was put in chains and was afterwards murdered by the -fanatical priests who imagined that their god would be pleased with -assassination. Two Portuguese, after having suffered cruel tortures -were condemned to cut grass for the elephants. Their wives and -mothers-in law were reduced to slavery. - -A nun, who had come from Manilla was dragged ignominously along the -street with a crucifix fastened under her feet so that she could be -reproached with having trampled her God under foot. - -Several slaves cared naught for the tortures, and remained steadfast -in their faith. The Tonkinese and Cochin-Chinese, in the camp of St. -Joseph were secure against pillage; but some were condemned to the -galleys and others to work in the stables of the elephants. Their -wives and children were employed on the public works, and no mercy was -shown to the Siamese Christians. - -There is no need to enter into further details of this persecution, as -it would be a mere repetition of scenes of horror and barbarity. The -Portuguese, calm amid the storm, were highly delighted at the fate of -the French. Their jealousy blinded their eyes to pity, and they were -so indiscreet as to openly show their feelings. They thought now that -as their rivals were out of the field, they would be able to gain the -commercial advantages previously held by the French. - -The King of Cochin China looked upon this persecution as a crime -against humanity. It had been reported to him, that the French were -turbulent disturbers of the public peace, who having caused endless -confusion in Siam were about to make trouble in his State. The clear -sighted ruler perceived that this was a tissue of lies and even sent -ambassadors to Siam to protest against the persecution. But as their -object had been previously found out, they were sent back without an -audience. The Prince of Cochin China, a proud and warlike individual -would have revenged this outrage had his plans not been anticipated by -death. - -The hatred against the Christians was on the wane, but when news was -brought that Des Farges with 5 vessels had landed at Jonsalam, it was -considered that he was merely waiting for reinforcements to take -vengeance for the insults offered to his nation. Popular imagination -pictured him as an angry conqueror, who was about to visit their towns -and possessions with fire and sword. - -The prisoners were put under more rigorous surveillance and their lot -became more pitiable. - -But the fears were allayed next day by a letter from the French -commander, who declared that his intentions were peaceable. Having -explained the reasons for not giving up the hostages, he declared that -he preferred to surrender his rights, rather than to break the -alliance between two powerful Kings and so he sent back the hostages -with a promise to return the ships which had been supplied to him in -good condition. He announced at the same time, the approaching arrival -of the head of the French trading station to settle the accounts and -to repay loans advanced in cases where the value of the merchandise -which had been taken from the warehouse was not enough to pay the -out-standing debts. - -The Bishop was released from his fetters on the same day as the -letters were received, and was taken to Court. He was made to walk -through the town barefooted, hatless and in rags. The missionaries -also appeared loaded with fetters. - -The presiding official proudly announced that if the French Commander -made the slightest sign of hostilities, all the Christians would be -blown from the cannon's mouth in revenge for his breach of good faith. -M. de Metellopolis was commanded to write to the commander. He obeyed -promptly and although the King and his ministers appeared satisfied -with the missive, they substituted another for it and sealed it -without allowing him to read it. The prisoners were sent back to their -work, pending the receipt of a reply; they were confined in more -spacious quarters, and experienced less discomfort. - -Des Farges, anxious to set sail, sent back the last of the hostages -who was very pleased at the kindly treatment he had received. It was -thought that by this means, the prisoners would be able to gain their -liberty, but only the Bishop was released. The others suffering from -the hardships of so lengthy a confinement petitioned for death or -liberty. This announcement produced its expected result. They were -relieved of their bonds and the harsh treatment was somewhat relaxed. -The court proclaimed that it was unlawful to jeer or to make lampoons -on foreigners, and those who interfered with their religion were to be -punished severely. - -This first exhibition of clemency aroused hopes of a speedy release, -but the Dutch fearing to see the French restored to favour, spread a -report that France was sending out a punitive expedition against the -Kingdom. The trick was successful; the prisoners were again put in -chains and had no other consolation than to sing hymns. M. Paumard, a -Missionary who was trusted at Court said that the reports spread by -jealous enemies were nothing but absolute falsehoods and the court, -which respected his outspokeness, believed him. - -The prisoners were transferred to a neighbouring island whose climate -was as fatal as had been the putrid stench of the prison. - -Many died in consequence, and the survivors passed days of continual -suffering. - -While they were suffering without hope of relief Father Tachard landed -at Mergui at the end of 1690 and before entering further into the -country informed the Barcalon that he was the bearer of a letter from -Louis XIV and that he had been entrusted with negociations for the -renewal of the alliance between the two crowns; and that he could not, -without compromising his position, ask for an audience without -previous assurance of the nature of his reception. Two Siamese -officials who had come from France went in advance to the Court where -they made a great display of the magnificence of the French King and -of the honours that had been conferred on them even after it was known -that his forces had been obliged to evacuate the fortified posts of -Mergui and Bangkok. - -The vanity of the Siamese was immensely tickled by the fact that a -King, whose power had humbled the pride of Holland, the only country -dreaded in the Indies, had sought alliance with them. - -The first result of this embassy was the restitution of the Seminary, -which by the energy of the Bishop of Metellopolis was soon restored. - -An Armenian lent him a large sum which M. Deslandes, the head of the -French trading station at Surat had the generosity to repay. - -The zeal of the missionaries had become more active under the stress -of persecution and they did their utmost to minister to the needs of -the sufferers. The prelate, frightened by the despair which had caused -them to beg for death, offered to stand surety for them to the King. -The respect inspired by his virtues granted his wish and on the faith -of his promise, the others obtained their freedom. - -The Seminary was over-crowded with 113 people, who were destitute of -both food and clothing. The prelate deprived himself of the -necessaries of life so as to relieve their more pressing wants. No one -knew how he managed to do what he did, but generosity is never -exhausted by gifts. The King himself was astonished at his -never-failing charity and wishing to help, contributed 500 crowns. - -It was by the bishop's exertions that many Christians condemned to -slavery regained their liberty. Others held by officials as debt -slaves could not satisfy the greed of their masters, and languished in -chains until 1695. - -The persecution which had crowned so many martyrs had also been -productive of many apostates. The Siamese cruel in the invention of -tortures, are too cowardly and too weak to bear them; and their -example is another proof that cruelty is a vice that accompanies a -pusillanimous character. History records events only that we may -profit by them and on reading the account of this revolution, it is -important to disentangle causes. - -Faulcon, whose position was always uncertain and unstable in a country -where his condition of foreigner exposed him to envy and hatred, -thought he could have kept his position by calling in the help of the -Europeans against the Siamese, who although indebted to him were none -the less his enemies. He had no ambition to mount the throne as his -foes have reported. Contented with the second place, it would have -been madness on his part to have formed the idea of taking the first. -The French eagerly seized the chance of extending their power and -commerce, and, dazzled by the magnitude of his promises, they were -foolish enough to believe that they were to be the leading power in -the Indies. - -Faulcon made religion serve his ambitious policy. Those who were -really interested in the triumph of the Faith, were led astray by the -hope of converting the King to Christianity. But the French officers -less zealous and more far-sighted, were well aware that the project -was but a snare set by the minister to appeal to their credulous -simplicity. - -Forbin, when questioned by Louis XIV replied that the King of Siam had -not the slightest idea of forsaking the faith of his fore fathers and -added that in the first audience given to the ambassadors, Chaumont -made a long speech on the beauties of Christianity and that Faulcon -who acted as interpreter never said one word about it to his master; -and that in private audiences the ambassador had always laid great -stress on religion, but that the interpreter had invariably proved -faithless. The Bishop of Metellopolis who had been present and who -understood the Siamese language could have divulged the matter, but he -feared the wrath of a minister who knew how to punish as well as how -to reward. - -Father Tachard was one of the ringleaders of this expensive -expedition. Doubtless, his zeal misled him in his blind trust of the -cunning minister whose secretary he was, and Forbin states definitely -that he has seen several documents signed by the King and lower down, -"Tachard." So while this Father was lording it in the councils of -State, the bishops and priests were preaching among humble dwellings -where they were more sure of finding converts than they were in the -royal palace. This revolution could easily have been foreseen. The -predilection of the King for the French was a passing caprice rather -than a decided liking. Their position could only have been secure -during the life of the King, who, in leaving his throne to his -successor rarely transmits his likes and dislikes. The appearance of -the French on the scene was brilliant but the favour in which they -were held was unstable, even as they were. - -It is a fate which they experience every where, Fortune smiles on them -at first, they seem made for the conquest of all hearts; and they end -by being disliked. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE REVOLUTION OF 1760. - - -At the end of the last century, the Kingdom of Siam was in a -flourishing condition as far as internal affairs were concerned, and -was respected by outside nations. - -The help that Louis XIV had condescended to render, had assured its -prosperity, and might have sufficed to correct its constitutional -vices; but what ought to have given it a new brilliancy was the cause -of its misfortune and its overthrow. The Siamese were ignorant of the -value of a benefit which would have ensured their safety. - -The pusillanimous prince feared to accept the services of 500 men who -had been sent to defend him. They were regarded as ambitious persons -who although under the title of friends had only come to be their -tyrants. The Buddhist priests stirred up sedition against their noble -defenders, and placed an ambitious man on the throne who had dazzled -them by an affectation of zeal for their rites. - -Pitracha, seated on a throne defiled with the blood of the royal -family combined in himself all the talents of great men with all the -vices of the vilest scoundrels. As soon as he had compelled the French -to leave the Kingdom, he found nothing else at which to take offence. -Whilst surrounded by his satellites, and enjoying the fruit of his -crimes, a Peguan priest, who gave himself out to be the elder of the -two brothers of the late King fomented a new rebellion. He had been a -prisoner in Ayuthia for a long time, and during his incarceration had -been informed of the state of the court. This imposter painted his -story in glowing colours and ten thousand Siamese rallied to his -standard. - -It was easier for him to delude individuals than to cater for an army, -but the fanaticism he inspired caused his followers to close their -eyes to the magnitude of the peril and all appeared ready to fight or -to die for their leader. - -The son of the King having determined to take a pleasure trip to a -spot at some distance from the capital, proceeded thither with a -magnificent retinue. The Peguan priest determined to lay an ambuscade -in a forest through which the royal party would be obliged to pass. - -His plan was to massacre him and all his suite, to march on the -unsuspecting city, and to make away with the King and all the Royal -family. - -The plot which had been kept a profound secret would have been quite -successful had not the innate suspicions of the children of the tyrant -enlightened the prince as to the danger which threatened him. - -He saw the armed mob and at once perceived that he was about to be -attacked and so instead of defending himself, he fled promptly, -leaving a rich booty, the collection of which prevented pursuit by the -conspirators. When they had satisfied their cupidity they marched on -the capital which they had hoped to find defenceless. Pitracha however -having heard of the danger into which his son had nearly fallen, at -once sent out a force of 12,000 men to disperse the rabble. - -The rebel priest at first was of good cheer but he led forces without -courage or discipline as everything was to be feared and nothing could -be hoped for. His little army panic-stricken melted away without -striking a blow. Only 300 prisoners were taken and not more than 300 -perished by the sword. - -The Priest pretender wandered in the woods for several days with a -young man who had remained faithful. He was found sleeping under a -tree and was taken to Ayuthia where, chained to a post, he was exposed -for several days to the contumely of the mob, and afterwards he was -disembowelled and while still breathing saw his own entrails being -devoured by dogs. - -It seems that Pitracha did not enjoy the the throne for long, as his -son succeeded in 1700. The first year of his reign was marked by a -scandalous marriage with his father's widow who gave her hand but not -her heart. - -This Princess had an extraordinary career she was successively the -wife of the father, the son and the grandson. - -This victim of passion never reciprocated the love which she inspired -in others and to separate herself from a husband whom she detested, -retired to a convent where she died in 1715. - -The new King, a prey to superstition and debauchery, surrendered -himself entirely to the idolatrous priests, who, by their austerities, -engaged to expiate his faults. Following his example, everyone built -temples. Trade and manufactures languished and the populace given up -to fantastic ceremonies no longer gave thought to the question of the -defences of the State. The false gods had many worshippers and the -State had no soldiers available for defence. Fortune favoured the -kingdom as the neighbouring Kings were all engaged in war against each -other and having too much on their hands at home, had no time to think -of foreign aggression. - -It was in this reign that the kingdom was visited by the scourge of -famine. A long period of drought had converted the fertile soil into a -barren dust. The rice, which is the staple food stuff, was soon -exhausted; fish became scarce and poisonous. The water of the River -naturally clear and limpid, suddenly became green and turbid. - -A sort of green scum covered the surface of the great river and the -fish were either dead or dying. The King feared that the polluted -water would only increase the sickness in the land and forbade its use -for drinking or washing purposes. - -This prohibition caused discontent among the populace, for whom water -is a most necessary article. - -The revolt was ready to break out, when the court appealed to popular -superstitions to avert the calamity. The priests said that a god known -as Pra In had appeared near one of the city gates and had declared -that the change of the water was one of his blessings and had become a -panacea for the ills they suffered. At this news, the whole populace, -passed from despair to hope, every one ran to the river to wash and to -anoint themselves with scum that had appeared so deadly a moment -before. At last after 15 days the phenomenon passed away. Abundant -rains caused the water to overflow the country and to fertilise the -ground. - -The reign of this Prince, like that of his successors, offers nothing -worthy of record. - -His son, who succeeded him, is only known by the defeats he sustained. - -His army 50,000 strong and his fleet carrying 20,000 fighting men, -invaded Cambodia, at that time torn with internal dissensions. - -This army would have been victorious if its leader had been more -skilful. But the King of Siam, enervated by harem life, had entrusted -the command to his first minister, a man of peace, and without skill -in warfare. - -The Minister who well knew the direction in which his talents lay, had -no wish to take the command, but the King who thought he could make no -mistake in the choice of his agents, was certain that one who knew how -to govern an Empire would also know how to conquer. - -The King of Cambodia, too weak to offer resistance to the invading -hosts, ordered all his subjects who lived on the frontiers to retire -with their belongings to the capital and to burn everything that they -could not carry away. The fields were laid waste, fifty leagues of -territory were changed into sterile deserts that could hardly sustain -animal life. - -The King declared himself a vassal of the King of Cochin China in -order to obtain a force of 15,000 men for land defence and 3000 for -service on the galleys for the defence of the coast. The Siamese army, -full of confidence in the superiority of numbers, and still more proud -to find that no foe dare dispute their passage, rashly penetrated into -the country but the further they advanced, the nearer they approached -to their fate. Famine, more cruel than the sword ravaged their camp. -The devastated fields, gave neither fruits for man nor forage for -beast. - -They were obliged to slaughter their baggage animals in order to -provide themselves with meat. - -The soldiers, unaccustomed to a flesh diet, were attacked by fever and -dysentery and more than half of their number died. - -The leader who had forseen the catastrophe, but had been unable to -prevent it, retired with the remainder of his army and was harassed in -the rear by his enemies without respite. - -The Siamese fleet four times larger than that of the enemies met with -no better fate. Their small vessels fired the town of Pontemas 200 -tons of ivory were destroyed by the flames. The Cochin Chinese -profited by the absence of these vessels to attack the transports -anchored four miles from the town. The Siamese vessels aground in the -river, which was extremely low could render no assistance, and fearing -that famine would be as detrimental to the fleet as it had been to the -army, set sail for their own country. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE REVOLUTION OF 1760. - - -Before narrating the events of the revolution which, in 1760, threw -the Kingdom of Siam into confusion, we ought to give a summary of the -succession to the throne. - -The heir of Pitracha had several sons and as he was displeased with -the eldest, he nominated the second as heir to the throne. This man -showed that he was really worthy of the crown by his refusal to accept -the succession to the detriment of his elder brother. He only made one -condition and that was in case the elder were to predecease him, the -succession should devolve on himself. This condition was accepted. The -elder received the heritage of his father and the younger was declared -Crown Prince, that is to say heir-presumptive to the throne. - -The new King had several children and misled by parental affection, -showed none of that generous nature of which his brother had given so -noble an example. - -Faithless to his promises he nominated his eldest son who had entered -the priesthood, as his successor. The young Prince a respecter of -promises made, had no wish to be a party to the perjury committed by -his father. He preferred the simplicity of the monastery to the -splendour of the Court, which he could only enjoy by desecrating the -memory of his father. - -The King seeing him persist in his refusal appointed in 1733 his -second son to be his successor and died shortly afterwards of a cancer -in the throat. - -The brother of the dead King was known as the Crown Prince, and the -Siamese were accustomed to look upon him as their future ruler. Five -thousand soldiers whom he kept in his palace, were ready to devote -their lives in support of his rights. - -His nephew relying on his father's will, had collected a force of -40,000 men in the Royal palace so as to overawe his rival. He had been -careful to win the four chief officials of the State over to his side -and having charge of the Treasury, it was a simple matter to purchase -adherents. All the common people were in the power of the officials -who all hoped to extend their authority over a young and inexperienced -ruler, who would be obliged to put the burden of state affairs on -their shoulders. - -The union of the nobility under the flag of the young Prince, seemed -to indicate that his cause would be successful, but in reality it was -the cause of his downfall, owing to internal jealousies as to who -should be leader. The higher officials thought that the Barcalon, -misusing his almost unlimited power, wished to use them as tools for -his personal aggrandisement. - -They appeared to fear that after having been sufficiently powerful to -hold the Crown Prince in subjection, he would yield to the temptation -of taking the crown for himself. - -It seemed more fit that they should obey their old masters rather than -to see themselves reduced to ask favours of an equal, and thus all -plotted secretly to destroy their work. - -War broke out between the two rival Princes. The disturbance was -aggravated by the party feeling of the mob. Shots were exchanged -between the two palaces. The frightened inhabitants awaited death in -their houses and the whole town would have been reduced to a heap of -ruins had the gunners been good marksmen. - -The Barcalon, full of confidence, resolved to risk a decisive -engagement, having the lesser palace as its objective. - -A hand to hand conflict occurred, and the Crown Prince's forces were -routed and pursued to his own palace wall. The conquerors took counsel -as to practicability of carrying the palace by storm. The Barcalon and -his friends voted for the proposition, but one of the chief leaders -said that as it was nearly dark, it would be better to defer the -attack till the next day alleging that by so doing fewer lives would -be endangered than if a night attack were to be attempted. - -His advice was taken and the assault was deferred. The Crown Prince, -being informed by spies of all that passed in the camp of the enemy, -took advantage of the sense of security inspired by an initial success -and convinced that the advantage lies with the attacking force, made a -sortie against the forces near the foot of the palace walls. The -darkness increased the fear inspired by this attack. - -The besieged, taken by surprise and being defenceless, allowed -themselves to be slaughtered like brute beasts. Others took flight, -and casting away their weapons, were pursued to the walls of the grand -palace. The King sent reinforcements to act as a barrier against the -host ready to devour him. The lawless and rebellious soldiery -renounced their allegiance and instead of obeying his orders deserted -to his uncle. - -Seeing that he was betrayed and deserted by his adherents, he put all -his trust in the Malays whom he employed, and having encouraged them -with magnificent gifts and by hopes of great rewards, they left the -palace with proud and haughty expressions which seemed to bear witness -to their zeal and to be an earnest of victory. But hardly had these -mercenaries left the palace behind when they gave an example of the -greatest infidelity, or of meanness of character. - -These strangers, loaded with gifts, deserted the flag of their -benefactor. Some retired to their own country to enjoy the fruits of -their treason, and, others baser still, enrolled themselves under the -banner of those against whom they had promised to fight. - -The Barcalon and the Chakkri, standing on the high walls of the -palace, were the sad witnesses of the desertion. Fearing for their -safety they disappeared on the pretext of going to issue some orders. -The other officers, not seeing them return, scattered to find some -refuge where they would be secure against the anger of the conqueror. - -The King remained alone with his two brothers awaiting his end. The -elder brother retired into his monastery, where he deplored the -disturbed state of affairs of which he was neither the author, nor an -accessary. The other two, forsaken by their mercenary followers, -escaped with some servants in a boat and managed to carry off a large -sum of money as well. - -As soon as the Crown Prince had been informed that the Royal palace -had been abandoned, he ordered his men to take possession. Several -princes of the Royal family had shut themselves up in the palace as in -some sanctuary. They were loaded with chains and were made to suffer -all manner of tortures invented by the cunning of revenge and after -all their property had been confiscated, they had no hope left but -death. - -This civil war caused considerable bloodshed, but more perished by the -sword of the executioner than on the battlefield. - -The new King, on his accession to the throne, gave an example of the -greatest clemency which dulled the remembrance that the slaughter of -his subjects had been the cause of his success. - -He offered the crown to the eldest of his nephews, but in vain. - -This latter, a religious prince, resolved to die in the priesthood, as -he ultimately did. The King was sure that his position was insecure as -long as the two fugitive princes were not in his power. The old -officials wandered about the kingdom and stirred up civil strife. - -The Chakkri and the Barcalon had the temerity to appear in the -capital, dressed as priests. They thought to escape punishment by -appearing in a dress that was respected. - -The King, in order not to commit any outrage against the priesthood, -arranged that they should be arrested by the Chief priest. They -appeared before a tribunal where they were subjected to a searching -cross-examination. Their cunning replies were unanswerable. - -They pleaded that they had been carrying out the King's orders and -that they had been pledged to serve him absolutely. - -By this excuse they were enabled to escape, the terrible punishment -which had been prepared for them. - -It had been determined that they should be hung up with hooks by the -chin until they expired. The idea was that their punishment should -resemble the fate of fishes, as being keen anglers they had caused the -death of many fish, a heinous offence to the Siamese who have scruples -against fishing. - -As the judges found no evidence on which to convict them, the King -sought other methods by which he might undo them. He took counsel with -the ministers and the legal luminaries of the kingdom, who, after -examining the charges on which they had been arraigned, replied, that -far from being culpable they were worthy of the highest rewards. The -verdict was remarkable, coming from the mouth of judges who trembled -under the sceptre of a despot, a single word from whom could degrade -or destroy them. - -The despot himself announced that "A citizen is not guilty in carrying -out the orders of his superiors." - -He ordered that the accused should be instantly released, and as if -wishing to honour their fidelity, he appointed them to the control of -the two chief temples in the city where they hoped to lead a peaceful -existence in the obscurity which is the only protection of a citizen -against the violence of arbitrary power. - -But hardly were they installed in their retreat, when, towards -midnight, five or six Malays came to demand them in the King's name. -They guessed that sentence of death had just been passed on them. The -Barcalon, indifferent to his fate, showed that life no longer appealed -to him and far from being terrified, reproached the Chakkri for his -weakness and cowardice. - -He told him that he must bow to the inevitable. When they were outside -the temple, they were stripped of their priestly robes and were given -a loin-cloth. The Barcalon beheld the instruments of death without -betraying the slightest emotion and presented his breast to the dagger -of the executioner and died, pierced by a single stroke. The Chakkri, -on the contrary, tried to defend himself, and received many wounds -before he was finally disposed of. Their bodies were taken away and -impaled and exhibited to the public eye as an example of the vengeance -of the King. - -The two princes who had escaped, were a continual source of trouble. -For a long time they managed to evade their pursuers; and means were -taken to prevent them from escaping to some neighbouring country where -they might have been able to stir up a rebellion. They remained hidden -in a rice field, and were soon deserted by all their servants except -one who remained faithful. - -This faithful attendant used to go to forage for them. They passed a -month in this way exposed to the weather; a prey to their needs and to -fear. - -At last the servant was recognised in a public place where he was wont -to make purchases for his unhappy masters. Several persons identified -him as having escaped with them, and that as he had been their -companion in flight, he ought to know their hiding place. The secret -was wrested from him by torture. - -The Princes were captured and confined in the palace dungeons. From -that moment knew that death would soon be their portion and that their -uncle would never pardon them as they were the sons of his enemy. They -were put to the question, and in their answers they showed more -firmness than would have been expected from their youth. Sentence had -preceded trial and hence they were unanimously condemned to death. - -The younger had designed some dresses for a theatrical performance -which he had desired to be performed. He asked that, before his death, -he might be allowed to see them. This showed that he was childish, or, -rather frivolous. The Queen, in vain begged that their request might -be granted. The King replied that they had been born with desires that -would one day be fatal to the State. These Princes whose fate should -have excited compassion were not regretted in the least. It was -generally known that their tastes were depraved. It was not by their -death that the Crown Prince really became King. He gave his whole -heart to his nephew, who had refused the crown that the Siamese had -wished to offer him. - -The King's predilection excited the jealousy of his eldest son who -made a plot to assassinate their cousin, and a day was arranged for -the execution of this wicked design. - -The Prince had gone to pay his respects to the King and was attended -by his cousins who by certain gestures gave him an inkling of the plot -against his life. He became frightened and fell at the King's feet who -being informed of the plot, made enquiries into the truth of it. The -second and third of his sons were convicted of being the authors of -the barbarous idea. This father, horror stricken, summoned them fore -him and pronounced such dreadful punishments against them that, in -order to clear themselves, they protested that their elder brother had -led them into crime. The father was deeply grieved on learning that -his dearest son had been the most guilty. He summoned him to his -presence and made him lie on the ground to receive his punishment. The -Priest-prince, witness of the terrible scene, of which he was the -innocent author, thought of what the consequence might be, of a -punishment inflicted on one who might one day be his master. He -prostrated himself on the body of the guilty and cried out. "Father, -order that I receive the beating rather than your son". The King was a -father and was soon turned from his purpose by his feelings. His wrath -merely found vent in threats against his guilty son, who, to become -reconciled with the priest-prince, entered the same monastery; but in -the shadows of his retreat he enjoyed all the sweets of power. The -chief officers of state and the people continued to regard him as the -heir-presumptive to the crown. As it happened, he left the priesthood -in 1740 and his father declared him his successor. Henceforth he lived -in the palace which was appointed for Crown princes, but was quite -unworthy of his father's choice. His vices drew upon him the hatred of -his father in 1756. He was accused by his bastard brother of having -defiled his father's bed, and was summarily sentenced to imprisonment -for life. There remained but two legitimate sons to the King whom he -had had by the late Queen. - -The elder had sunk into the lowest depths of debauchery, which was -sufficient reason against his succession to the throne, so much the -more so as he was afflicted with a loathsome disease. The younger was -preferred to him, he was called Chaoual Padou, that is to say, Lord of -the Temple. This prince, brought up from his earliest years among the -priests was permeated with the poison of error. A zealous champion of -the foolish religion of his country, he was beloved by the nation who -saw their superstitions ennobled by so illustrious an example. A -stickler for justice, he punished fraud and theft with severity. His -good qualities were universally recognised by all from the Crown -Prince downwards. His marriage which occurred shortly after his -accession, was regarded as a token of the prosperity of the State. His -father bent by age died in 1748 aged 80 years. Chaoual Padou was soon -recognised by all the officials of the State. Some of his bastard -brothers attempted to stir up civil strife, but they did not escape -punishment. They were cast into prison where they died of neglect. -Peace reigned in the Kingdom after their death, and the people gave -him no cause for anxiety. - -But his brother whom he rashly had recalled to court favour, was a -cause of scandal. He bitterly criticised the government and behaved as -a ruler, rather than as a subject and to lighten the disgrace of his -degradation, he managed to place himself at the right hand of the King -too modest and too weak to punish him. - -At last the King being no longer able to tolerate his imperious -behaviour, resolved to abdicate a crown the burden of which had become -insupportable, and to retire to the seclusion of monastic life. For a -second time he donned the robes of a priest and shut himself up with -about a thousand idolatrous priests whom he endeavoured to surpass in -pseudo-science and in the art of fortelling the future. He sought a -secret means by which to render himself invisible and immortal by the -use of mercury of which he took so large a dose that all his teeth -fell out. Devoting his whole time to futile researches, he became -quite indifferent to affairs of State and had no other relaxation than -to pore over lying records and to extract therefrom stories fit merely -for the credulity of fools. - -While he was living in seclusion in his country, the enemy carried -fear and destruction to the gates of the capital. - -The King, who knew nothing of statecraft or of war, was powerless to -avert the storm. The Princes and nobles went in a body to the temple -of Chaoual Padou and begged him to take up the reins of the stricken -Empire. He acceded to their wishes and his brother, laying aside his -pride as there was no time for concealing his weakness and incapacity, -handed over the sceptre that he could wield no longer and invited him -to re-ascend the throne. He yielded to the pressure brought to bear on -him from so many quarters and sacrificed his own inclinations for a -quiet life. - -But before entering into the details of the revolution we ought to -give some account of the strength and situation of the people who were -to be their adversaries. - -In 1754 the Burmese, the inhabitants of the kingdom of Ava had been in -subjection to the Peguans for five years. They had seen the death of -their King, their Queen and the majority of the Royal family. The -memory of their past misfortunes and the present reality of their -servitude, and degradation caused them to yearn for a deliverer. They -did not seek one among those enervated by the luxury of court life or -those who in the pride of their usurped titles measured their -capabilities by their ambition. - -Their eyes were turned to one of their fellow-countrymen Manlong by -name, a gardener by profession who though physically compelled to -labour of a humble description, had the bravery and heart of a hero. -With one voice all united in begging him to accept the crown so as to -free them from the yoke of their tyrants. "Yes" replied this -extraordinary man! "I agree to become your King, but first of all I -wish to find out whether you are worthy of having such a leader as I! -I command you to go and cut off the heads of all those petty -oppressors whom the Peguans have set over you." - -All answered, "If that is all you want us to do, you shall be obeyed -speedily," and forthwith they departed to slay all the military and -judicial officers whom their tyrants had placed in authority over -them. Soon they returned to their hero, their hands streaming with the -gore of their oppressors and proclaimed him King without a dissentient -voice. - -The new King distributed arms to his subjects. He taught them to ride -and to shoot as he himself was a good horseman and a dead shot. His -musketeers were ordered to fire on any one who had the cowardice to -retreat either in siege operations or in actual battle. This new -discipline was rigorously observed. The Burmese became invincible and -dominated Pegu. A Peguan commander who had retreated with his army -into a forest, on learning that the Burmese army had returned to Ava, -took advantage of their absence to recapture Siriam, a seaport town of -Pegu. He captured a ship which he at once fitted out and departed -early in 1759 for Pondicherry on the Coromandel coast. - -At the same time he wrote to the governor of the French stations in -the East Indies to whom he sent valuable gifts in the hope of -obtaining guns and military stores. - -The ship was unable to reach the Coromandel coast; contrary winds -rendered it necessary to anchor at Mergui a seaport of Siam. The -Burmese army returned to Siriam three days after the departure of the -ship. The King, who was in command wished to give an example of -severity to the people. The town was utterly sacked and at the mere -sound of their approach the Peguans and their leader fled to the -forests. - -The Governor of Tavoy, a Peguan city close at hand had established -himself as an independent ruler. The Burmese King advanced to -Martaban, a town close to Tavoy, and demanded the governor to -surrender. The governor was too weak to offer any resistance and -therefore complied. But his submission availed him nothing, for as -soon as the King arrived, his head was cut off. It was here, that the -King hearing about the richness of Siam conceived the idea of -attempting its conquest, but wishing to have a valid excuse for his -greed, he demanded that they should restore the ship that had been -seized at Siriam from whence it had been brought to Mergui. The -Siamese court having been informed that the ship was bound for -Pondicherry ordered that the ship should continue the voyage in order -to maintain the friendly relations existing between the Siamese court -and the French stations. - -This refusal was the cause of a war in which many lives were lost. - -The Burmese King, having seized all the shipping and wealth of the -country, made Tavoy his headquarters. He sent out an expedition of 30 -vessels to reduce and burn the town of Mergui and to take similar -action against Tenasserim, the chief town of a province of the same -name. - -At the approach of the fleet, the inhabitants of Mergui fled and the -town, previously so full of inhabitants, was left deserted. - -M. M. Andrien and Lefebvre, French missionaries, seeing before them a -prospect of danger and useless suffering, embarked with their converts -in two ships of which one was a French vessel and the other was the -very ship to which the King of Ava laid claim. The fugitive -inhabitants, after aimless wanderings sought refuge in the forests and -in desert islands. - -The King of Ava, surprised at the fear inspired by his name and -forces, was quite sure that the conquest of Siam would be an easy -matter. The fact of a whole province having been subdued by his little -fleet, gave him to hope that there would be no obstacle to the success -of his united forces. He visited Tavoy in person, being the place at -which the different sections of his army had been ordered to assemble. -As soon as the Siamese court had been informed that the Burmese had -invaded the country, the Barcalon sent to the Bishop of Tabraca -ordering that Christians should be called upon for military service. -The Bishop replied that he would willingly send all those whom he -believed were physically able to defend their King and country. He -summoned his converts at once pointed out the danger by which the -country was threatened, and exhorted them by the sacred ties of King -and fatherland. The flock, obedient to the voice of the shepherd, -remembered that the God of Peace whom they served was likewise the God -of Battles. More than one hundred took up arms for the common defence. -This levy, though so small in numbers was sufficient to give examples -of courage to the others. - -The Priest King who had just come to the throne was without resources -to carry on a successful struggle against so warlike a foe. He knew -the weakness of his subjects only too well not to put his trust in -them. - -His arsenals were well furnished with arms and ammunition, but he -lacked men to make good use of them. He commanded a timid and -undisciplined mob, equally incapable of attack or defence, who had -been pressed into service to meet the urgency of the situation, and -who trembled at the sound of firearms. A fair-sized army of this -character had been collected but was of no use against an enemy. - -These miserable cowards threw down their arms on the approach of the -Burmese, and, conquered without striking a blow, fled to the capital -which was thus overcrowded with useless mouths. The Christians acted -in quite a different manner and behaved heroically to a man. The King -seeing their bravery, entrusted to them the guardianship of the palace -and the city walls, but they were too few to present an unbroken front -to the swarms of the enemy who were overrunning the country. They had -left their homes defenceless, and, placing duty before the safety of -their own possessions, they had left them to the greed of an enemy to -whom plunder was the main object. - -The hour of the downfall of Siam was not yet come. The Burmese King -was but three days march from the capital when he was attacked by a -fatal illness. Thinking less of his sickness than of the obstacle that -had checked his victorious progress, he summoned certain Europeans -serving in his army to his bedside. He asked them in what time they -could gain possession of the city. They replied that it could be done -in three days, "Go quickly" answered the King, "and make this rich -conquest and if fortune does not bear out your valour come back to me -at once." - -The army started. All the outlying villages were burnt, and even the -suburbs of the capital were included in the devastated area. The -Christian quarter alone was respected, as the Burmese warned of their -valour, had not the courage to attack men so freed from earthly ties -that they feared not death. Some of the Christians, who had not -followed the example of flight set by the others, shot two of the -enemy from the seminary, and this brave defence was the salvation of -all The terrified Burmese had no longer any desire to attack them. The -Dutch quarter was reduced to ashes and only the warehouse known to -contain valuable merchandise was spared. - -While the town was threatened, the outlying districts were ravaged -with fire and sword, and the inhabitants, loaded with fetters, were -led into captivity. The children too weak to share their sufferings -were the unhappy witnesses of tortures inflicted on their parents. -Several children were put to the torture to make them reveal the -hiding places of their parents' wealth. On information extorted by -violence these pitiless creatures massacred unfortunate individuals -without mercy who could only reproach themselves with not being rich -enough to satisfy the greed of their executioners. The chief priests -who were suspected of having concealed vast wealth, were repeatedly -roasted on gridirons until they had confessed where their treasures -were hidden. - -Women were bound above the ankles so tightly that the cords cut into -the flesh. Their inexorable tormentors made them answer questions by -striking them with the flat of a sword, and even the cries and -lamentations of the children whom they compelled to witness their -cruelties could awake no compassion in their stony hearts. - -The men received still harsher treatment. Their ankles were bound in -the same way as those of the women, and, to add to their miseries -their arms were tied behind their backs so that the elbows touched. It -seemed in their wretched plight that their bowels were about to gush -out. So severe were the agonies caused in the joints, that the victims -swooned in many cases. - -While these sad scenes were being enacted in the Provinces, the -capital of Siam was attacked with vigour. But the enemy, after several -futile assaults, were obliged to give up their task; and, taking -advantage of the darkness to conceal the shame of their retreat, made -the same signals as before; in order that the Siamese might still -believe they remained near the walls. The news of the death of Burmese -monarch caused them to renounce the hopes of conquest. The youngest of -his sons was proclaimed King. He needed the army to strengthen his -authority and to put down malcontents. The troops were ordered to -evacuate Siam and never was a retreat more hurriedly beaten. - -The Siamese, free from the yoke of foreign oppression, reoccupied -their former possessions. Having suffered by experience, they ought to -have taken steps to prevent a fresh invasion. The Dutch, established -in the kingdom, could have provided them with artillerymen as there -were many stationed at Batavia in the island of Java. But the Siamese -unmindful of danger, and arrogant though cowardly, considered that it -would be derogatory to their dignity to implore the help of a foreign -nation to teach them lessons. - -The high opinion which this nation held of itself, gave rise to the -idea that the native Christians would form an impregnable barrier -against foreign invasion. - -The examples of bravery they had shown, caused them to be regarded as -so many heroes to whom the common defence might be entrusted. - -The French church was called the Church of Victory, and in gratitude -for services rendered, presents were given of suitable garments to the -Bishop, the priests and the converts. All the Christians who had -assisted in the defence of their country received a gift of money and -eight of them who had shown the greatest bravery in face of the -dangers undergone, were promoted to the highest positions in the army. - -The Siamese had no less confidence in their wisdom than they had had -in their bravery. They were consulted as to what measures should be -taken for national defence. These men full of zeal, showed that if -they knew how to fight for their country, still more did they know how -to advance the cause of their God. - -They pointed out that, as during the war the temples had afforded -shelter to the Burmese, they were of opinion it would be advantageous -to destroy all the temples round the town, so much the more so, that -in case of a new invasion it would be impossible to preserve them. - -The elder brother of the King agreed with this proposition but the -other Princes and all the priests regarded it as an act of sacrilege. - -The King joined the latter party as his inclinations were all in the -direction of his former station in life and even in the brilliancy of -court functions, sighed in secret for the solitude of the temples. - -A zealot for the religion of his country he showed that he was jealous -of the praises showered upon the Bishop of Tabraca, who, was regarded -as a heavenly messenger sent to reform their morals. The respect given -to the worshipper and minister of a foreign God appeared to the -Monarch to be a slight on the national religion. - -He commanded that European titles only should be used as honorable -appellations in his his case, and to suppress all Siamese words by -which respect and greatness were indicated. - -The order was by no means universally obeyed. The nobility and the -people never ceased showing forth their regard for the Bishop and -continued to load him with titles which he preferred to deserve rather -than to receive. - -This enmity engendered by jealousy would not have been productive of -evil results as the Prince was weak rather than evil-minded. It seemed -that peace would continue, but soon the State was plunged into a new -commotion. The King pronounced sentence of death against a favourite -of his brother's who was suspected of having carried on treasonable -correspondence with the enemy. This decree was regarded as an abuse of -his authority. The people demanded that account should be rendered of -the blood shed on slight grounds of suspicion. A general discontent -made the King re-enter the priesthood, and he appeared to abdicate the -throne with more pleasure than he had ascended it. His elder brother -became King, and the position which he thus occupied, showed up his -vices and follies to the full light of day. - -In May 1762 the Prince resigned the crown in favour of the priesthood. -A great number of Siamese followed his example. The State was burdened -with an excess of useless citizens who kept aloof from those they -ought to have served. Sorcery and magic were the principal topics of -conversation, everyone had formulae for the compounding of love -philters for immoral purposes, and the secret of rendering the person -invisible for the purpose of robbery and assassination without fear of -punishment, was the universal object of research. - -The priests who had become more haughty since the King had entered -their order, demanded that they should receive divine honours. The -ignorant populace wasted their substance in their support, and kept -them in idleness. These holy ministers, naturally poor, found abundant -means of livelihood in the folly of the vulgar, an inexhaustible ever -ready source of supplies for the use of impostors. Not even was their -moral character an object of respect. They frequently gave rise to -many scandalous scenes and, immune from punishment, they would not -even cast a veil over the filthy pleasures to which they were -addicted. By greed and cunning they obtained possession of everything -that could not be appropriated by force. - -The reigning King gave precedent for these irregularities by his -example. - -Unbridled in his lusts, and shameless in his actions he had no other -rule of conduct than his own sweet will; and in the intoxication of -his brutal passions, had the folly to marry his father's sister -openly. The nobility too feeble and too cowardly to attempt to reform -the abuses, preferred to follow the example of the tyrant rather than -to fall as victims. - -The officials, brutalised by the debauchery into which they had sunk -to please their master, knew neither how to foresee nor to fear coming -troubles. - -Their security was founded on the report that the Burmese King, a -warlike and restless Prince, had been dethroned on his return to Ava, -and that his elder brother was content to govern his own people and -had no ambition for foreign aggression. - -A peaceful regime seemed necessary to him to ensure his rule over a -turbulent race, and his efforts were directed towards the maintenance -of peace and to the civilization of his people. He was highly -indignant with those who had advised his father to attempt the -invasion of Siam, that had cost the nation so many valuable lives, -more precious than all the spoil they had carried off. - -Such peaceable tendencies promised a spell of unbroken peace to the -neighbouring Kingdoms, but the appointed hour struck for the -punishment of a people sunk in slumber and debauchery. The -peace-loving King died suddenly, and his successor a man of great -ambition and, feeling too cramped in his own territories, was the rod -by which God struck the Siamese. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE REVOLUTION OF 1767. - - -The new Burmese monarch desired nothing better than warfare and -conquests. Too proud to conceal his feelings, he boasted that he had -promised his dying father to crush the the cowardly nation that merely -waited for a conqueror to reduce it to bondage. Several high officials -supported his ambitious projects. - -His first victories were gained over his intractable and rebellious -subjects. As soon as they had been subjugated, he sent one of his -generals in command of five thousand picked troops to effect the -capture of Tavoy, whose governor, although a Burman, had made himself -independent in 1761. - -This rebel, not feeling that he alone would be able to maintain his -position with his own troops, sought an alliance with the English who -supplied him with all manner of arms and ammunition. At same time a -vessel from the Coromandel coast, and laden with rich presents for -Pegu, was obliged to drop anchor at Tavoy. The idea of a rich booty -won over the governor who resolved to appropriate so valuable a cargo -in order to purchase an alliance with Siam, who, alone could have -supported him in his encroachments. - -Having taken possession of these valuable spoils unjustly, he sent -them to the King of Siam and besought his assistance. The ministers -took counsel together as to whether the reception of this embassy -would be compromising to the dignity of the King, and for some time -were uncertain whether good or evil would result if the conditions -were accepted. - -They thought the wisest course to pursue was to ask the opinion of the -Bishop of Tabraca and the Missionaries, who having no personal -interest in the matter ought to be able to give good advice. They -replied that to protect a rebel was contrary to all equity and policy. -They added that Tavoy had always been a Burmese dependency and that in -assisting an ambitious man who had usurped the power, they would -become accessories in the rebellion and would expose the Kingdom to -the vengeance of a powerful neighbour, who had nothing to lose by -defeat and everything to gain by victory. The ministers were satisfied -with this answer and asked that it should be given in writing feeling -sure that the authority of the Bishop and the missionaries backed up -by their wisdom and character would have great weight with the King. - -The document was drawn up, and the ministers presented it to the -step-brother of the King, who was hankering after the rich presents of -the rebellious governor. He made a great show of indignation against -those who by their scruples would have deprived him of the objects of -his greed. He tore up the document which indicated the line of action -on which depended the peace and prosperity of the State. - -The intrigues of the favourites were successful and the ambassadors -were honourably received and listened to graciously. Urgent commands -were sent to the governor of Tenasserim to fit out an expedition for -the relief of Tavoy, but nothing came of the project. The governor of -this town became the object of public execration; the bloodshed of the -leading citizens was the means by which he had wished to consolidate -his growing power, and his new subjects became his enemies. Attempts -were made on his life in 1762, and as punishments were multiplied, the -more unpopular he became. - -The Burmese general had arrived at Martaban with his army. From this -town he wrote to the governor ordering him to offer no resistance. He -uttered dire threats against the inhabitants who refused to help him. - -The people of Tavoy seeing an army ready to beseige their town, -declared that they had determined to render homage to their legitimate -ruler. The usurper surrounded by both foreign and domestic enemies, -weak in his defences and threatened by invasion, had no other resource -left but flight. - -He equipped a vessel for his escape, but the people by whom he was -hated, suspected his plan and fired his ship either from motives of -revenge, or to prevent him from carrying off his wealth. - -He was so unwise as to show himself in public and found out that -despots cease to be respected when their power is gone. - -His subjects, who before had been trembling slaves, planned to slay -him at the city gate. The women, always more excited by popular frenzy -vied with each other for the honour of striking the first blow. They -were highly delighted to see as a suppliant before them, one who -formerly had exacted unquestioning obedience. - -The rebel, after many adventures sought sanctuary at Mergui, to which -place he was followed by his relatives and a few supporters who had -either the nobility of character to wish to share his misfortunes, or -perhaps so guilty that they feared the harshness of an angry judge. - -His fleet of sixty galleys by no means reassured the inhabitants who -were not anxious to shelter an outlaw pursued by a victorious army. -Panic was general, some fled to the forests, and others to desert -islands fearing death by starvation less than to have to appear before -a wrathful conqueror. - -The governor feared that those who had given him shelter would not -respect the rights of hospitality for long. He only begged a small -force with which to go and retake the town that he had evacuated on -the strength of a false report. He considered that the letter from the -Burmese General had been sent by an advanced body of troops whom he -would keep up even in time of peace. He then began to doubt whether -the document had been genuine and suspected that it had been the work -of some disaffected persons who had concocted it to give him a false -alarm, and to make him take his departure. He was so convinced that -his idea was correct that he persuaded himself that his subjects were -his only enemies. Thus a victim of his blind faith he went to give -himself up to a ruler whom he had offended. - -This rumour was taken as credible by so many that the captains of the -ships at Mergui, who had been alarmed by the first news of the Burmese -advance, believed they were in perfect safety. Trade that had been -interrupted for some time was renewed. The fugitives returned to their -houses, and the town that had been deserted for eight days, resumed -its normal aspect. The Christians had been very anxious to embark for -the Coromandel coast and only one availed himself of the offer of a -Portuguese captain who sailed on January 8th, 1765, but the rest very -soon saw that they had been misled by a false sense of security. - -On the 10th of January, a confused noise as of a shouting multitude -was heard in the evening by the river side. The sounds gave rise to -the idea that the enemy were approaching and that the first alarms had -been only too well founded. In fact the enemy were only three or four -leagues from the city and a pilot had seen ten of their ships. A short -period of calm succeeded this alarm. The pilot on being questioned -replied that he had seen nothing whereupon everybody returned home -quietly. - -The missionaries were in a calmer frame of mind, because they had seen -that quiet reigned on board the ships anchored in midstream, and were -sure that the noise that had been reported was only a product of panic -stricken imagination. But at four o'clock in the morning fifty gun -shots were heard which left no longer room for doubt that the Burmese -had arrived. - -The startled inhabitants perceived that death or speedy captivity -would be their portion. The captains of the trading ships cut their -cables at once, and fearing to fall into the power of a savage foe, -allowed their ships to drift with the stream without heeding the -danger of shipwreck to which the inequalities of the river bed -rendered then liable. - -The Christians who remembered the horrors of the late war shuddered -with dread at the thoughts of these savage creatures steeped in the -gore of old men and of children butchered on the still smoking bodies -of their mothers. All fled to their boats and endeavoured to escape -from certain death. - -The Burmese made their attack and found no resistance. The love of -life had driven away all thoughts of defence. - -The pillars of fire that were rising on all sides made the inhabitants -judge that their country was but a wood-pile being devoured by the -flames. M. M. Andrien and Alari both came down to the church and were -soon followed by a crowd of Christians. These two missionaries -exhorted them to make a generous sacrifice of their lives and promised -to set them an example of how to meet death. The fire which was -devouring the neighbouring houses was about to attack the church. M. -Alari thought of running away and begged the others to look to their -safety. He took some money for his needs and buried the rest at the -foot of a tree, in the hope of finding it again after the fire had -burnt out. He saw that the enemies had gained possession of the gates. -Then to save himself from the impending danger, he told a young -servant who could speak Burmese to inform the soldiers at the gates -that neither he nor his companions would offer any resistance. The -Burman was satisfied with this message and with some money which was -given to him he put down his spear, but he asked for and was given a -shabby hat which had aroused his cupidity. - -But the soldiers who came up shortly afterwards were not so moderate -in their demands, for they pulled off all his clothes. - -In vain they were informed that nakedness was shameful. He spoke to -the Burmese but they would not listen to him. The same soldiers greedy -for more valuable booty entered the house to seize what they could. -They broke open the chest containing the sacred vessels which they -defiled with their impious hands. The missionaries, robbed and almost -naked were dragged to the harbour and put on board a ship. As the -water was rough they were made to cross long stretch of ground covered -with mud and they would have been buried in the mire if they had not -been helped by two native servants who had still remained faithful. - -Hardly had they embarked when they received the order to return. As -soon as they had arrived at the general's tent they were placed on the -ground, and were beaten with rods to make them put down their legs. -This they had not done, as they were unaware of the etiquette of the -Burmese towards their superiors. The general surrounded by his savage -myrmidons commanded them in threatening tones to go with the other -Christians to seize those ships which had not cut their cables. M. -Alari who was also ordered to convey a letter to the captains, replied -that his sacred office forbade him to take up arms and above all to -shed human blood. Many of the bystanders testified to the truth of his -statements and his excuse was accepted; but although they had escaped -this danger they were reserved for more terrible misfortunes. - -Attendants armed with lances conducted them to the bank of the river -where they were obliged to witness the greatest scandals and the -filthiest abominations. They were exposed in the middle of the public -market, with their feet in the mud from daybreak till noon. Their hats -which alone could have protected them from the burning rays of the sun -had been stolen. They expected death any moment but awaited its -approach fearlessly. A lively faith upheld them and they only noticed -the misfortunes of other Christians who like themselves had fallen -into captivity. - -The general encamped by the shore, made careful enquiries in order to -discover the place or any information as to where they had buried -their wealth and the secret was discovered by torture. - -M. Andrien was denounced as a wealthy man, and acting on the -information received, the general went to the church with Gaspard, the -honest servant of the virtuous missionary. Both prayers and threats -were employed to make him reveal the spot where his master had hidden -his wealth. The young man naively answered, "that as his master was a -priest to whom earthly possessions were valueless, he had never -possessed anything besides what the Burmese had carried off." - -The greedy Burman unsatisfied with this answer, condemned him to the -torture. His feet were thrust into a brazier of glowing charcoal in -hopes that the torment of fire would make him reveal a secret that the -insolence of authority had failed to do. - -Gaspard, who had withstood their promises, showed that he cared naught -for tortures. The barbarian was highly annoyed at such contumacious -behaviour, whereas he ought to have admired the heroism displayed. He -drew his sword and was about to cut off his head. The young man 17 -years old was quite impervious to fear, he had not the slightest -intention of begging for his life, he merely asked for a few moments -in which to commend his soul to God "Let me say a prayer" he said, -"and after which you may do as you please with me." His request was -granted and after a short interval spent in prayer, he cried out -"strike." - -The general, amazed to see such heroic conduct in the case of one so -young, was seized with a sudden admiration. He thought that a man who -had given so striking a proof of fidelity to his masters, ought to -join his retinue, and he was treated more as a favourite than as a -slave. If we draw a comparison between the atrocities perpetrated by -this nation in the war of 1760 and their conduct in this latter -conflict, we can perceive that they had lost something of their former -savagery. In the former struggle, children had participated in the -tortures of their parents, but on this occasion they were merely -mournful spectators. But even this blessed change which commenced to -become apparent in the manners and customs of the Burmese was still -too weak to disguise their pristine characteristics, especially in -cases in which they had given themselves up to the lust of avarice. -The following notices will assure the reader on these points. - -When the Burmese King undertakes a war, he retains only the parents of -the conquered as slaves, and he generously hands over the children to -the generals and other subordinate officers. It follows from this -method of sharing the spoils, that children are often separated for -ever from their parents. Here is a touching example of the unhappiness -of such innocent victims. - -A child six years of age, having been left in a boat, cried -ceaselessly for his parents from whom he had just been separated. His -streaming eyes were fixed in the direction of the spot where they had -last been seen. After two days he saw on the bank one of his aunts to -whom he was much attached. This woman, grieved at the loss of her -nephew, followed the boat to console herself with a sight which could -only make her grief more intense. The child, for whom the sight of his -aunt was only a new torture, cried and stretched out his arms and -called to her to help him, and at last flung himself in the river to -go and rejoin her. The Burmese, untouched by this victory of nature, -saved the child only to make him feel the loss of his liberty more -keenly. A tender heart had restored him to his relatives, but the -brutal captain thrust him into the hold of the vessel so as to run no -further risk of losing him. - -The Burmese are desirous of great wealth, and, although by nature a -warlike race, it is rather the lust of pillage than the mere idea of -glory that incites them to risk their persons. War is but a trade, -according to their way of thinking, and he who returns with the -richest spoils receives the greatest honour from his country. Those -who fall into their power have every thing to fear if they are unable -to satisfy their greed, and it is quite certain that avarice is the -mainspring of their cruelty. A poor Christian, who was believed to be -possessed of great wealth, was put to the torture to make him reveal -the hiding place of his non-existent riches; but no amount of -suffering could extort a word from him. The angry Burman in the -presence of his wife and dying mother drew his sword to cut off his -head. Frightened at the near approach of death, he begged for a -respite, in the vain hope of discovering some means whereby the greed -of his savage master might be satisfied. He was unable to fulfil his -promises, and, to punish his failure, he was bound hand and foot and -cast into the river. - -His mother at the point of death, summoned up all her strength and -looked at the surface of the water fated to be the tomb of her son, -and, just as he was sinking, she grabbed him by the hair and saved his -life. - -A shipmaster by name Rolland was highly respected at Mergui where he -carried on a considerable amount of trade. For a long time he was -uncertain as to which party he should favour. - -When he saw that the Burmese had gained possession of the town, he -thought it expedient to set sail, but as his vessel was out of repair, -it appeared that this course would be too dangerous. He retired with -some of the members of his family to the hut of some Christians who -had showed hospitality towards him, but he was shortly afterwards -discovered and robbed of all his possessions. Unfortunately for him, -he was found with arms in his possession. On being questioned as to -their use, he replied, that, at the first rumour of the Burmese -arrival at Mergui he had thought that a force of Malays a people well -known in the Indies for their piratical tendencies, was about to make -an attack, and that having at once resolved upon flight, he had taken -up weapons with which to defend himself against tigers which were -numerous in the forests. The shipmaster and his companions had no -longer any fear for their life or their liberty. - -The enemy were graciously pleased to give them back some garments and -a fair supply of provender, more than they had expected from -conquerors already pressed by famine. - -To the Burmese, any attempt at self-defence is a heinous offence, and -whoever has lifted his hand against them need not hope for any mercy. -Thus instead of respecting the bravery of a foeman, they show pity -only on the poltroon who grovels before them. - -A Moorish ship, in setting sail had fired several guns at their -vessels. Four sailors who had not had time to embark were ruthlessly -slaughtered in revenge for the deed of their companions. Their cruel -fate caused much anxiety among the Christians. Several had been -convicted of bearing arms, and there was no doubt that sentence of -death would be shortly pronounced against them. The executioner was -awaiting the signal to give the fatal blow. In this moment of -suspense, a venerable old man advanced crawling on hands and knees and -prostrating himself before the general, informed him that the -condemned missionaries were well known for their bounty and their zeal -for the relief of those in trouble, and that far from having taken up -arms with hostile intent, their religion forbade their use even for -purposes of self-defence. All those present appeared moved, and took -their part with the general, who at last relented. The sentence of -death was revoked. The Christians and Mahomedans who would have been -slaughtered together, were sentenced to transportation to Pegu to -swell the ranks of the royal slaves. - -An unforseen occurrence was the cause of great rejoicings on the part -of the Christians. At this period these unhappy people, expecting no -human aid, had given themselves up to God alone. They saw a young -Portuguese half-caste who had just arrived from Pegu, come on board -their vessel. He offered to be their liberator on condition that they -would follow him to Pegu to minister to the Christians who had no -pastors in that country. This young man Jeanchi by name, was a native -of Macao in China. He had been carried off as a slave from Mergui by -the Burmese in 1760, and had been taken to Pegu where by his industry -he had found a means of gaining his freedom. His abilities were well -known and well rewarded. - -He afterwards married the granddaughter of Constantine Faulcon and was -besides a zealous Christian. The missionaries welcomed their deliverer -as a messenger from heaven. He claimed them as ministers of his -religion and the general released them on those grounds without -further delay. Owing to the fact that his duties frequently called him -to distant ports, he sent them back in charge of a Burmese captain of -milder disposition than the rest. The captain who had his own affairs -to attend to, forgot to supply them with food. In the evening, Jeanchi -sent them a little rice which they shared with the other destitute -Christians. He endeavoured to muster all the scattered Christians -together and lodged them in houses that had been spared by the fire. -Sometimes he found young children whom he restored to their sorrowing -parents. Sometimes he gave back a wife to her husband, and when he -could not succeed by artifice he cast himself down before the leaders -to beg for their release with great eloquence. "Kill me," he would say -to them "and let me no longer be the witness of their misfortunes -which I myself feel so deeply." His prayers were heard as he was -regarded as a national hero. His skill had directed the operations of -the war and his courage had contributed to their success. But in spite -of his importunities, and the esteem in which he was held, he was -unable to obtain the Christian virgins whom the barbarians wished to -retain for the gratification of their brutal lust. It was pitiable to -hear the groans of these pure unsullied doves, who sighed for the -deliverance that none could afford them. The married women were more -fortunate, as they were protected by the scruples which these savages -hold regarding the sanctity of the marriage-tie. These scruples acted -as a check on their unbridled lust, and it was quite sufficient for a -man to claim a woman as his wife to prevent an attack on her modesty. - -Several virgins declared they were married women and by this harmless -fib they were enabled to avoid the brutish embraces of the men whom -they considered as executioners rather than as lovers. - -The ships that had been obliged to beat a hurried retreat had -abandoned part of their cargoes on the bank. The missionaries and the -other Christians were obliged to put these goods on board other -vessels; all were forced to this work without exception. The master -found himself working beside his slave. Several old and respectable -ladies walked along, staggering under heavy burdens that taxed their -strength, and frequently whips were used to stimulate their exertions. - -The Burmese were too eager for plunder to be satisfied with the -conquest of Mergui. One of their generals set out with the greater -part of the army against Tenasserim, the capital of a province of the -same name. - -This town although strongly fortified did not appear to a sufficient -defence against the Burmese rabble, who reached the foot of the walls -without meeting any resistance. The gates were wide open and the -terrified inhabitants had fled to the forests to avoid a danger that -they were unwilling to face. Fear had exaggerated the number of the -foemen, and the governor had been the first to desert his post. They -were conquered by terror rather than by the arms and the valour of -their enemies. The Burmese filled their ships with loot and having -seized everything of value, fired the town and returned in triumph to -Mergui. Jeanchi, who was anxious for the safety of the missionaries -made them embark with their converts. The voyage was only of six days' -duration and although they were well-cared for, they had to suffer in -various other ways. They were continually threatened with death if the -least thing were to be missing from the plunder on their arrival. -Twenty soldiers armed with spears and daggers watched all their -actions and they were forbidden to get ahead of the war-vessels that -were acting as their escort to the harbour. - -They were welcomed on their arrival by two Peguan Christians who -showed great pleasure at meeting them. They were escorted by a ship -belonging to a rich and powerful Mahomedan who did his utmost to -protect those in trouble. - -He informed them that their master had given him permission to take -them on board his own ship where they would be in safety. After this -comforting information, they set out to meet the generous Mahomedan, -by name Mamasadech, who evinced the greatest sympathy for their sorry -plight, and promised to rescue the Christian girls from the arms of -their ravishers. As a result, next day an edict was issued forbidding -the Burmese of all classes to insult any Christian. - -The liberal Mahomedan spared no expense on behalf of the Christians. -He gave them much good advice and showed the greatest sympathy towards -those in misfortune. The missionaries assured of his good faith, -breathed again. But at the moment of their new-found security they -were summoned before the commander, who showing them the vases and -sacred vessels that had been seized, told them to point out which were -their property. Having been satisfied on this point, he enquired how -much money had been taken from them. This cunning question caused M. -Andrien much embarrassment, who feared to injure his despoilers and -those whose vengeance he had to fear. He answered, that as his -knowledge of the language of the country was scanty, he was unable to -explain. - -This reply aroused the suspicion that he had some money concealed. The -general ordered that the torture should be applied. There was a -cauldron of molten lead close at hand into which the hands of those -from whom they desired to extort confessions were plunged. He was led -up to the glowing metal and a soldier seized his hand, which he held -out over the cauldron awaiting a signal to plunge it in. M. Andrien -turned towards his judge with a calm expression and protested that he -had concealed nothing, and, at the same instant, Mamasadech hearing of -what was happening, ran up to save him from the impending danger. His -companion underwent the same examination, but his fate was very -different. He was unaware that to conceal money was a heinous offence -among the Burmese. He had given some to Captain Jeanchi for the -redemption of Christians from death and slavery and had reserved a -moderate sum for the relief of his brethren. These facts caused his -embarrassment when subjected to the examination that he feared. - -He had been brought up in a school where mental reservation and -equivocal replies were regarded as being contrary to the simple truth. -He warned Jeanchi that he would be expected to answer, and that he did -not intend to disgrace himself by uttering falsehoods. - -Jeanchi was well aware of the consequences of an avowal that would be -equally fatal to them both, and in order to forestall them, gave back -the property together with the agreement that all his expenses would -be paid, and, a few days after, stirred up a persecution caused by -weakness rather than by hatred against his friends. He had been -accused of having taken money from a Christian virgin who had laid -information before the Viceroy. He feared that the evidence of M. -Alari would only make his case worse and so thought he could best -clear himself by declaring to the Viceroy that he had just restored -the money to the missionary by whom it had been entrusted to him. - -The Burman was wrath, and summoned the missionaries before him. They -appeared destitute of all human succour. They had no knowledge of the -language necessary for the proof of their innocence and had no -interpreter other than their betrayer, who fearing to appear in league -with them, was able to twist their replies to his own advantage. Their -fears were justified by the result. Their defence was badly put, and -the Viceroy, in an access of rage, as he had not understood the case, -condemned them to death. - -Their arms were bound with cords and they were dragged a short -distance and prostrated before the seat of the Viceroy. Their fetters -were taken off and they thought that they were about to be set at -liberty. But suddenly they were surrounded by armed men, who, spear in -hand, awaited the signal for their death. Their calmness seemed to bid -defiance to their executioners. - -A savage soldier thrust his lance several times near the breast of M. -Alari and said, "Say where your money is hidden or I will stab you." - -The saintly man quietly replied that he had none. His companion, when -questioned made the same answer. The Viceroy fearing lest the secret -of their treasure should be buried with them in the tomb, attempted to -wring it from them by torture. At the word of command, a soldier -seized a cudgel about seven or eight feet long and thick in -proportion. - -The missionaries lying face downwards on the ground were expecting -death any moment. A stalwart ruffian approached and laid on several -blows with the cudgel with his utmost strength. - -Their bodies were streaming with blood and they were left for several -hours on the spot exposed to the burning rays of the sun which -rendered their wounds more painful. The irritation caused by insects -eating their flesh and sucking their blood caused new torments, and -they were surrounded by armed executioners ready to put an end to -their existence. - -The Viceroy was astonished at their fortitude, and was convinced that -men who held earthly possessions of so little value could not be -attracted by the desire of wealth. He made a sign to the interpreter -who had treated them so badly and had them raised from the ground. -They partook of some food that the other Christians had prepared for -them, and, for a long time endured the most acute sufferings. - -Jeanchi overcome with shame was unable to conceal the state of his -feelings. - -The missionaries were convinced that he was repenting of what he had -done, and exhorted the Christians not to reproach him. He continued to -reside with the flock whose shepherds he had wished to destroy. The -Missionaries were transferred to a filthy hovel exposed to the -inclemency of the weather. The night-dews and the bad food hindered -the recovery of their strength. - -Mamasadech, always kind-hearted, and a philanthropist before -everything, offered them the use of his ship that was anchored a few -leagues distant. Here their health was restored and they had the -pleasure of seeing the arrival of the Christians who found a haven on -the waters, free from the unpleasant conditions they had fled from on -land. A few days after they set sail for Rangoon, the seaport of the -Kingdom of Ava. - -The Burmese army engaged in pillage, rather than in conquest, made -away with the property of the conquered. When they had taken all that -was to be had, they sought a new prey. The leader in the flush of his -initial successes was sure of easy victories. He marched against -Ayuthia, as he considered that if the capital fell, the other towns -would submit without much difficulty. - -The route lay across vast forests and over steep mountains. All these -obstacles had been foreseen and provided for. The provinces situated -to the north west of the capital were laid waste and the inhabitants -through fear of death or slavery fled to the forests, where they had -to contend against wild beasts for their existence. The burning towns -and villages threw the capital into a state of panic. The Siamese -threatened with utter ruin, massed their forces and marched in fear -against an enemy of whose courage they had had experience so many -times. They ventured on a battle, and fought with greater courage than -they were wont to exhibit. A crushing defeat was inflicted on them -which left the whole country at the mercy of the invader. - -The country side, ravaged by fire, had nothing to show better than -barren cinders, and the impending famine was a prospect as terrible as -the sword of the barbarians. - -While the victorious army spread desolation on every side, a fresh -horde of barbarians overran the country. The Burmese, meeting with no -resistance, occupied the province as conquerors and everywhere left -traces of their ravages. They built a town at the junction of two -rivers and named it Michong. This position was intended to act as a -base of operations in case of defeat. - -During these troublous times, the King of Siam, shut up in his harem, -made light of his people's woes. The news that the enemy had evacuated -Tennasserim and Mergui had given rise to the belief that the danger -had passed, and that the State would require no defenders. At last the -Burmese appeared before the city gates, and there was hardly a ghost -of an army to oppose them. At the tumult caused by the entrance of -bands of peasants seeking refuge in the royal city, the King was -awakened from his state of lethargy. The refugees were obliged to -assist in the repair of the fortifications of the town. Mounds forty -feet high were built for artillery of position. The Christians refused -to assist in this work, as they were certain that these mounds would -crumble by their own weight. - -The Bishop of Tabraca who had foreseen the danger and who could have -escaped it, considered that the town was a post to which he had been -assigned, and which he could not desert without betraying his trust. -But although fearless of personal danger, he considered that it was -his duty to take steps for the safety of the young people confided to -his care. Thirty young pupils were sent to M. M. Kcherve and Artaud -who took this little band into the eastern part of Siam, whence it was -easy to retreat further in case of necessity. It was lucky for them -that they had been able to effect a speedy departure, for, a few days -later, orders were issued forbidding any one from leaving the city. - -The enemy, before commencing the assault on the city, laid waste the -surrounding country. They were certain of finding means of subsistance -on the land they had recently seized, and, their policy of destruction -was in order to compel the submission of the Siamese through famine. -One of their parties extended its ravages up to the city gates. -Bangkok, a fortress which had been defended, was destroyed, and the -gardens laid waste. A college established by the Missionaries in the -vicinity was razed to the ground, and, after this attack, they -retreated hurriedly to join the main part of the army and their -departure caused a momentary suspension of hostilities. - -At this juncture, two English ships arrived. The captain presented the -King with an Arab horse, a lion, and some valuable merchandise. The -captain whose name was Pauni, had on several occasions proved himself -a brave man. The King who had more confidence in his courage and his -ability than in his cowardly and effeminate followers begged him to -take charge of the defence of the city. - -But the Englishman, convinced that a craven race would prove but poor -seconds, declined the honour of the post and the example of the Dutch, -who had retired, strengthened his decision not to accept it. - -The Dutch would not have abandoned their compound in which they had -stored much valuable property, had they believed that the Siamese were -capable of assisting in the common defence. - -The captain was uncertain how to act, when suddenly he found himself -the object of an attack by the Burmese, who having captured Bangkok -were preparing to bombard him. - -The brave Englishman, too weak to offer a defence and too high -spirited to surrender, wisely decided to tow his ships to the spot -which the Burmese were attempting to fortify. His artillery fire -destroyed their position and scattered death broadcast in their ranks. -The Englishmen protected by their guns were able to bid defiance to -the Burmese attack. Their pride was wounded by remaining quiet on -ship-board, and, eager to punish their assailants, they made several -sorties, and their well planned attacks on the undisciplined foe, -caused wholesale slaughter. - -Pauni, compelled by necessity, agreed to take charge of the defence of -the capital on condition that the requisite arms and ammunition for -attack and defence were forthcoming. This was agreed to, and the -Siamese, as a pledge of his good faith, stipulated that he should -deposit his cargo in the public arsenal. This condition was galling to -him, but he was obliged to agree to it. He delivered thirty eight -bales of valuable merchandize and placed the rest on different ships. -Having made arrangements with the officials, he returned to his ship -where he made preparations that justified the trust reposed in him. He -devised attacks, all of which were deadly to the foe. Their -fortifications were scarcely completed, when they were demolished, and -every day saw the defeat or repulse of the enemy. In order to follow -up his advantages, he wrote to the Siamese authorities demanding arms -and ammunition as his supply was running short, but he was refused. - -The Siamese feared lest he should become too powerful; or that they -might be ruled by a foreigner. The ministers replied that the enemy -were about to make an assault on the other side of the town and that -they needed all their available artillery to repel it. - -The Englishman, annoyed by this act of faithlessness, determined to -have no further dealings with a nation that neither knew how to fight -nor to furnish one who was then friend with the wherewithal to protect -them. But before setting sail he issued a manifesto against the King -of Siam giving his reasons for deserting his post. He seized six -Chinese ships of which one belonged to the King. The five other -vessels coming to trade with Siam, were stopped in the gulf, and were -considerably surprised to find themselves despoiled of their goods. -The Englishman, in return for what he had taken, gave the captains -bills of exchange drawn on the King of Siam to the value of the thirty -eight bales of goods that he had deposited. Having thus taken his -security and passed proudly before his foes who instead of being -downcast at his retirement, were highly delighted to behold the -departure of a rival who alone could hinder their success. - -The Burmese, on his departure, again took the offensive and as they -had merely feeble adversaries to consider, destroyed everything they -could find. The temples were burnt and the lead found there was made -into bullets. The enemy, for a considerable time master of the -countryside, had issued strict orders that no cultivation was to be -carried on. But the fertility of the soil caused an abundant crop that -was not due to agricultural labours. The grains of rice fallen from -the hands of the reapers of the previous year grew and came to -maturity. This unexpected blessing was a great consolation for the -people threatened with famine. But this, which should have been to -their advantage, was considerably the reverse. The inhabitants went -out to gather the rice, but were surprised by the Burmese, who led -them captive to their camp. - -While the Burmese, scattered over all the provinces, were carrying on -a war against men and nature, the King and his superstitious ministers -put all their trust in their magicians. The officers and soldiers -followed their example and consulted them as to how they might render -themselves invisible in order to attack the enemy unawares, and the -hope of learning a secret so favourable to their cowardly nature, -prevented them from going out to fight before it had been revealed to -them. - -The delusion was so powerful that even experience was unable to -convince them of the futility of such schemes. - -The leaders, on a par with the subordinates as regards valour, -appeared to have taken up arms against their fellow citizens only. -They robbed them of their money and food with the excuse that they -were required for use of the military to whom they distributed the -least valuable part of their spoil, but this bounty was merely to -cloak their own extortions. Whilst the more wealthy citizens were -being ruined, the vigilance of the missionaries foresaw the -destitution of the Christians, but their liberality, extended without -exception to all creeds, exhausted their supplies. The Burmese -intercepted all their convoys and they themselves were in danger of -famine owing to the excess of their ravages. The forces sent against -them were invariably dispersed and frequently returned without -striking a blow. - -A Siamese Prince who had been exiled to Ceylon, was deeply moved at -the misfortunes of his country. He forget the fact that he was an -offender. He was powerful enough to raise an army whose services he -offered to those who had driven him forth. - -The Siamese court, too proud to accept assistance from an exile, -rejected his offer with scorn, and instead of considering him as a -defender of their country, they sent expeditions against him with -varying success. - -This course was highly unwise as it caused dissension in the army just -at the time when the Burmese ranks were being augmented by numerous -Siamese deserters. - -In the month of March the Burmese army had advanced to within two -leagues of the town. The progress of the army was arrested by the -death of the commander from quinsy. It was considered expedient to -conceal the fact of his death from the soldiery, but the news leaked -out owing to dissensions among the chiefs who all were ambitious of -command. - -But soon reunited by the prospect of loot, they advanced to plunder -the richest and most celebrated temple near the city. - -They were in hopes of finding the base of the image which was of solid -gold, but the King of Siam had taken the precaution of having this -object of popular worship removed to the palace. - -The Burmese, incensed on finding that their booty had been carried -off, revenged themselves by pulling down the temple and constructing a -building devoted to profane uses on the site. The other pagodas in the -vicinity of the town were not spared. They were built of brick and -surrounded by ditches which seemed to protect them against the -assaults of the enemy. The Christian churches were constructed merely -of planks and stakes which acted as fuel to the flames. But in spite -of their defenceless condition, they were held by the vigilance and -courage of their defenders, and the enemy were unable to set foot in -them until after the Chinese and Siamese had experienced several -defeats. - -On September 7th, 1766, the enemy seized a strong position about a -quarter of a league distant from the town, and from this point a park -of artillery commanded the shore and thus rendered them masters of the -river. - -The danger became more imminent and the Christians whose heroic valour -had been proved in the former revolution became the last resource. - -The defence of the bastions was entrusted to them and they were -supplied with thirty pieces of artillery and ammunition for the same. -Six thousand Chinese were appointed to defend the Dutch compound and -large temple in the immediate neighbourhood, and, as a special favour -they were presented with the sum of ten thousand livres. - -Among the Christians were eighty soldiers available for the defence of -various posts exposed to the assaults of the enemy. - -This brave array had had no military training whatever, and, gun and -sword in hand, they would have been objects of laughter to a European -soldier. - -But in spite of their awkwardness, they formed the flower of the -Siamese army. The first few days were occupied in skirmishes, shortly -afterwards but the enemy united their forces and seized five large -temples which became so many fortresses from whence they bombarded the -outposts and especially the Church of St. Joseph, the roof of which -was riddled without causing any casualties. - -On the 8th of December it was reported that the Burmese were preparing -for a fresh assault. The Christians made sorties from the church and -at the sound of drums and trumpets engaged the enemy to the -discomfiture of the latter as they were conquered by fear rather than -by arms. This initial victory inspired them to take the offensive. -They made an attack on some Burmese entrenched in a pagoda and -returned with an elephant as a trophy of their victory. - -The Portuguese, at a distance of about two leagues from the dwelling -of the Bishop of Tabraca, gave also signal proof of their courage. -They sabred a crowd of Burmese who had attempted to storm their -college. The Burmese, driven back in confusion, retired full of -admiration for the handful of Christians whom they feared considerably -more than the 50,000 Siamese who had neither the daring to make an -attack nor the courage to follow up their retreat. - -Although the Christians showed greater personal valour than the rest, -their lack of military training caused the loss of the French quarter. -The pickets were sound asleep when the Burmese fired the upper part of -the building where the Bishop lived. The Christians crowded into the -church for shelter and the shrieks of the women and children gave -indications of danger more terrible in the darkness. - -A Christian who had become separated from his friends was massacred on -the spot. The others made a stubborn defence, and although they had -been taken by surprise, they appeared to be invincible. The enemy, -repulsed on all sides, made an attack on the Dutch quarter. The -reputation of the bravery exhibited by the Dutch had attracted many -Siamese and Chinese to their quarter, thinking that they would be safe -there. All assisted in the common defence. They built walls of the -remains of the destroyed pyramids. The Chinese found a quantity of -money there but the Christians received only some pieces of lead as -their share. - -The Siamese authorities had abused their power by the confiscation of -quantities of rice which had been seized to ensure themselves against -the threatened famine, and, owing to their thought for the evils of -the future, were a prey to the evils of the present. Food was -unobtainable at any price, and the poor people awaited death to put an -end to their sufferings. An epidemic more deadly still caused fresh -ravages. The streets and public places were strewn with corpses, which -were devoured by ravenous pariahs, as the fear of contagion had -prevented their burial. This scourge came only to an end with the ruin -of the country. The sentinels let themselves down from the walls by -ropes and preferred to risk falling into the hands of the enemy than -to await a lingering death in the midst of suffering. - -The Burmese turned their arms against the Dutch compound, which was -defended by the Portuguese and Chinese. The attack was fierce and the -defence, stubborn. But finally the compound was taken and reduced to -ashes after an eight days' siege marked by many casualties. The church -was respected for two or three days and the missionaries were able to -collect together their property. - -This show of moderation was merely a trick to force the surrender of -the Bishop and his flock. The Burmese leader was unwilling to shed -blood to no purpose. He assured him that if he would surrender, all -his property would be respected and that only the weapons would be -taken. - -Negociations were started, and the Bishop went in person to the -Burmese leader's hut. He was received with every mark of honour and -the general was lavish in promises which however were not confirmed by -any documents. He added that it was his intention that night to fire -the Christian quarter as a warning to them to seek refuge elsewhere. -He assigned a temple to the Bishop for a dwelling place and guards -were given for his safe keeping. Nothing could be done but to submit -to these conditions as it was impossible to obtain any better terms. - -It was lucky that these conditions were accepted. The general carried -out his threat and the whole of the Christian quarter was reduced to -ashes together with the church. - -The soldiers entered the seminary, and violating their oaths, -plundered everything that they had promised to respect. - -The missionaries and their converts were carried off to the hostile -camp. A Prince of the old family of the King of Ava was the commander -of the camp to which they were assigned, and he had the generosity to -supply them with victuals. A large number of female Christians were -stationed near them so as to escape the insults of the soldiery. -Advantage was taken of the absence of their importunate guardians to -marry the girls to the young Christians as it was necessary to save -these virgins from the lust of the brutal soldiery who, as I have said -previously, respected the marriage tie. The Bishop suspected of -possessing great wealth, as he had distributed alms with no niggard -hand, was sent to the lofty tower occupied by the general where under -the pretext of rendering him honour they thought they would be able to -discover the place where he had concealed his treasures. The other -Christians were tortured and robbed of their money and the more money -a man had, the more he was suspected of having concealed. The state of -poverty to which they were thus reduced rendered their faith all the -more lively, and, despoiled of their earthly possessions their only -hope lay in a heavenly reward. - -The town, ready to fall into the hands of the Burmese, would have been -buried under its ruins had not a parley been arranged in order to -treat with the besiegers, already with torches in their hands. The -Burmese proud of their superiority replied that they demanded -unconditional surrender and that they were determined to take -advantage of the rights of the conquerors. - -These harsh terms were rejected and hostilities recommenced. - -On the 28th April 1767 the town was captured by assault. The treasures -of the palace and the temples were nothing but heaps of ruins and -ashes. The images of the gods were melted down and rage deprived the -barbarian conquerors of the spoils that had aroused their greed. To -avenge this loss, the Burmese visited their heavy displeasure upon the -towns folk. They burnt the soles of their feet in order to make them -reveal where they had concealed their wealth, and raped their weeping -daughters before their very eyes. - -The priests suspected of having concealed much wealth were pierced -through and through with arrows and spears and several were beaten to -death with heavy clubs. - -The country side as well as the temples were strewn with corpses, and -the river was choked with the bodies of the dead, the stench of which -attracted swarms of flies causing much annoyance to the retreating -army. The chief officers of state and the royal favourites were loaded -with chains and condemned to slavery in the galleys. The King, witness -of the unhappy fate of his court endeavoured to escape, but he was -recognised and slain at the gates of the palace. - -The Priest King, torn from the silence of his retreat, was taken -prisoner together with all the Royal family, and, all, through fear of -torture confessed that they had much wealth concealed. When the greed -of the invaders was satisfied and the country was full of dead and -dying, the the victorious army set out for Pegu. The King of Siam was -taken with them. The Bishop of Tabraca was included in the national -disaster and was transported on shipboard. The detachment in charge of -him was commanded by a man who was by no means a barbarian. - -His valour gained for him the governorship of Tavoy, a position of -trust which justified the discernment of his master. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE MISFORTUNES OF THE EUROPEANS AFTER THE REVOLUTION. - - -Perceiving that the country was laid waste, the houses pulled down, -the Royal family led into captivity, and the people scattered abroad, -husbands separated from their wives and parents from the children; the -Europeans, accustomed to regard their rulers as protectors, were -plunged into a state of fear. - -But the Siamese, who from time immemorial have crouched under the rod -of tyranny and have toiled on behalf of merciless extortioners, were -pleased in that by a change of masters they might meet a deliverer. - -They had no regrets at leaving a land where bonds had been their -portion and as they had never tasted the sweets of liberty, were less -sensitive to the humiliation of slavery. - -Unpatriotic citizens as they were, the sight of their erstwhile -insolent tyrant, now condemned to slavery quite made up for their own -degradation. - -The Christians on the other hand are accustomed to live in countries -under the protection of the law. The scourge of war makes no -alteration in their fate, and the harshest of conquerors can only keep -his self respect while respecting the rights of nations. He can never -deprive individuals of their freedom and if a conqueror appropriate -their private possessions he is to be considered merely as a bandit. - -The Bishop who had been well treated on shipboard, had been able to -maintain by his virtuous example, the ascendency that moral worth -invariably exercises over the most corrupt natures. He beheld sixty -three Christians pass before him whom the Burmese had pressed into -their service. Many of them perished from the toils of the voyage and -the survivors were marshalled under the banner of the conqueror. The -remainder of the converts were entrusted to the care of M. Core a -French priest. They were obliged to set out on April 25th without -having been able to collect the necessary articles for a long voyage. -The party consisted of three hundred, excluding children. Women were -ruthlessly torn from their husbands whose troubles they had shared. - -They were given an inadequate supply of rice, and their inhuman -captors preferred to destroy food for which they had no use rather -than to overload their slave galleys. - -A Chinese priest frightened at the dangers to which the newly wedded -brides were exposed, separated himself from M. Core's party in the -hope of finding a Chinese vessel. But hardly had he started out when -he was attacked by a gang of Burmese bandits and those who tried to -defend themselves were slain promptly. He endeavoured to take shelter -in the depths of the forests with four of his disciples but they were -pursued and robbed. They were obliged to wander without a guide in the -trackless jungle that offered no sustenance, and were forced to eat -grass like the beasts of the field. Afterwards they were found by a -Christian who offered his services as a guide. - -The Burmese captain, who was in charge of the French, sent an -interpreter with an armed force to compel them to rejoin, and above -all, to bring back the newly married women. They were carried off with -violence. This deputy was by no means so gentle as his superior, and -in executing the order he had received, he exceeded his powers. - -Hardly had they marched a league, when a gang of Siamese dacoits -appeared on the bank of the river and captured his spoils. - -When the leader of the gang recognised his daughter, he wept and -embraced her, and asked by what turn of fortune she had appeared in so -sorry a plight. The daughter explained that she had become a Christian -and gave the reasons for her marriage. The recital of their woes -spurred on the dacoits and falling upon the Burmese, they cut off -their heads. - -They wished to retain the women, but all refused the assistance that -would have delivered them from slavery and preferred to share the -horrible fate of their husbands, rather than to break the sacred -marriage bond. The father, unable to dissuade his daughter from her -purpose, gave her a supply of food for herself and her friends, and -all went to join M. Core at a spot lower down the river. - -After the meeting the zealous missionary, fearing to see them exposed -to such dangers, conducted them towards the sea which was only a few -days' march further on. For the space of a month this colony lived -upon shell-fish, leaves and roots, and waited in the hope that a ship -might appear to take them to Kancao on the Cochin Chinese coast. - -A Chinese junk appeared in the offing but the niggardly captain, -hearing that they had no money, refused to give them a passage. At -last on June 7th, they saw a small Chinese derelict floating down the -river. The ebb of the tide was drawing the boat out to sea, but at -last it ran aground on the bank just at the spot where the Christians -were assembled. - -This unlooked-for assistance was of no use to them. They had neither -sails nor tackle, nor provisions. But they were able to turn the greed -of the Chinaman, who had refused to give them a passage, to their -advantage. Seeing the vessel which they had just obtained, he -suggested that they should hand it over to him and that he on his part -would conduct them to their destination. Fifty three accepted this -condition but the rest decided to remain and hardly had their friends -set sail, when a dissension broke out among them and the party broke -up. It was known that afterwards they all perished of hunger and -privation. - -After a perilous voyage, the ship reached Kancao on the the 28th of -June, whence sometime later the Christians journeyed to Cambodia, -where they were cordially received by the Cochin-Chinese. - -The Bishop, who still remained on his ship was impatient for the -moment of departure to meet his flock of whose fate he was ignorant. -The Portuguese, who up to that time had remained with him, were -ordered to go on ahead and to march with the van of the army. They had -much to suffer from the insolent behaviour of the Burmese, and, -rendered desperate by insults resolved to turn against their -oppressors. They seized some weapons, and, under cover of the -darkness, slew every Burman they could lay hands on. After this -massacre they captured an elephant and some horses wherewith they -hoped to rejoin their friends, but a deep river lay between. Several -were able to gain the opposite bank, some were drowned but the -majority waited for the fate they expected to overtake them. - -Several Burmese, who had escaped from the Portuguese, brought the news -of the massacre to the camp. - -The commander, justly enraged, ordered that all the Portuguese should -be arrested, as he considered that all the Christians had had a share -in the plot. Suspicion would have been followed by revenge, had not -the pilot Jeanchi taken steps to restore calm. He explained to the -commander that the massacre had been due to the insolence of the -soldiery towards the women who had been instrumental in furnishing the -Portuguese with arms that the other Christians all considered him as -their protector, and that the French especially were desirous of -opening up trading stations under his jurisdiction. The commander was -mollified by these explanations, and to show there was no ill feeling, -sent the Bishop a supply of provisions and even gave him ten baskets -of rice in excess of the usual dole which served as the sustenance for -several Portuguese women who were too weak to follow with the army. - -The 6th of June, was fixed for the departure of the rest of the -forces. The Burmese before embarking destroyed the town of Michong -that they had previously built. - -They arrived in port on the 16th of June, and continued their journey -by land, and, as they were obliged to wait for the artillery, they -constructed huts of the materials of their now useless vessels. After -a halt of eight days the march was begun. - -The Bishop, although in bad health, had to follow on horse-back. The -journey, through a country destitute of houses or inhabitants, was -extremely arduous. The route lay across forest clad mountains, and -through miry valleys interspersed with ponds and streams, which -latter, on account of their sinuous course, had to be crossed several -times by fords where shallow, but in places where the waters were -deep, they were obliged to cross on bridges made of a couple of -bamboos. - -The beasts of burden died on the way and the progress of the army was -thus considerably delayed, owing to the lack of transport available -for the commissariat and baggage. - -At last Tavoy was reached where famine caused them new suffering. A -basket of rice, the usual monthly rations for one man was sold for 25 -or 30 piastres. The aborigines were seen to devour corpses. The bishop -gave his pastoral ring to an Armenian who had generously provided for -the Christians. - -Everything seemed hopeless and all waited for certain death, when an -English ship laden with rice appeared in the Tavoy river followed a -few days later by two others of larger size and laden with a similar -cargo. - -The bishop went on board the ship and was received by the English -captain with all the characteristic open-heartedness of his nation. -The Captain, Rivers by name invited him to remain on his ship and the -bishop consented only on condition that all who had accompanied him -should be included in the invitation. - -While the ship remained in harbour they had no further anxieties, and -the generous Englishman provided for all their requirements until -October 26th when he set sail. - -The French bishop was weary of captivity so much the more so as he met -with no results of his zeal. He made use of a Malabar convert who -stood highly in the governor's favour and by his good offices obtained -permission to embark for the Coromandel Coast with three pupils and a -Chinese servant on a French ship named the 'Hector.' Owing to the -calms, the voyage was slow, but on his arrival at Pondicherry he -learned that a Malay potentate had become a vassal of the King of -Burma, hoping to obtain the necessary assistance to keep certain -territories spared by fire and war. - -The bishop decided to return to France to seek a remedy for such ills. -M. Lau and all the members of the council who took a keen interest in -the progress of the faith in the Indies gave him a passage on a ship -which arrived at l'Orient on October 30th 1769. - -Since his return he has retired into the seminary for Foreign Missions -where busied with the losses sustained by the faith, he implores -assistance to reassemble his scattered flock. His demands are -supported by Religion and Policy and we think that the success of his -enterprise will be assured under more favourable auspices. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - AFTER THE REVOLUTION OF 1767. - - -After the departure of the Burmese army from the kingdom they had just -conquered, the Siamese who had been scattered and had been wandering -in the forests returned to their capital. - -Stirred by thoughts of revenge for what they had suffered, they made -ravages every where. Every Burman that they could discover was slain. -But the blood of their oppressors was of no avail as a remedy against -the famine with which the country was smitten. - -The price of rice had risen to such an extent that it had ceased to -become a marketable commodity. Wild roots and bamboo shoots were the -staple articles of diet, and many were attacked by a peculiar disease. -The sufferers lost their memory and power of speech, and became mad -with lucid intervals, which augmented the horror of their condition. -Necessity that knows no law obliged them to violate all conventions. - -They took up arms against their gods whom they accused of having -betrayed them. The pagodas were plundered and the images destroyed in -order to get at the silver inside them. These acts of sacrilege gave -them command of that was useless wealth as they could not purchase -anything with it. Five earthenware jars full of gold and silver were -taken from one temple alone. The roof of one of the most temples -supplied gold, sufficient to fill three boats. - -The superstitious Siamese made loud outcries at the scandal of the -theft which brought into circulation all the gold and silver that the -Burmese their conquerors had taken away. It is not astonishing that so -much wealth was forthcoming; since devout persons, in consequence of -their belief in transmigration, had buried their treasures in the -images of their gods, trusting to discover it in a future state of -existence. - -The Siamese, although united by desire of revenge, were split into -factions for the leadership. - -The eyes of the nation were fixed upon Phya Tak, a Siamese officer, -born of a Chinese mother. A politician and a warrior, he paved his way -to power by affecting its disdain. He was elected to the leadership by -the unanimous voice of the whole nation. At first he took the -unpretentious title of "Defender of the Nation," and, disguising his -ambitions under the cloak of moderation, he wished to appear merely as -a citizen in order to be King in reality. - -Having attained to the supreme power, it was his policy to contract -alliances, as he was sure that the hearts of the nation were apt to -pass rapidly from love to hatred. He had learned by experience that -the priests, in the abuse of their power over the unlettered mob, were -wont to foment sedition and to influence popular feeling. He conceived -a violent dislike to them which he took no pains to conceal, and -considered that the respect they enjoyed was a slight on his -authority. He therefore wished for the extermination of these -individuals who, poor by profession, enjoyed the fruits of the labour -of others without doing anything in return. - -A high-priest who was greatly revered, was accused of incontinence. -Phya Tak summoned him before his tribunal and condemned him to trial -by fire. The soles of his feet were burned by the glowing charcoal, -and that was sufficient proof of his guilt. He would have been -sentenced to death had not powerful friends obtained his pardon on the -grounds that his death would cause a scandal, and that if their -servants were done away with the gods would lose their prestige. - -Phya Tak raised all those who had been his partisans to the highest -positions in the State. - -A foe to the Burmese, he inflicted severe punishment on those who -favoured them and who stirred up rebellions in the kingdom. - -In 1769 he showed his generous spirit towards his countrymen. The -drought had caused a great famine, one of the usual events a war -brings in its train. Work was suspended and the farmers could do but -little. - -Destructive rodents had devoured the rice as soon as it had reached -maturity, seeds had been destroyed in the earth. They were unable to -procure the "ignam" a species of truffle or potatoe of such size that -a single one is sufficient for one man. Swarms of insects, attracted -by the corpses, darkened the air and waged a ceaseless war against the -living. - -Under these unhappy conditions Phya Tak showed his generous spirit. -The needy were destitute no longer. The public treasury was opened for -the relief. In return for cash, foreigners supplied them with the -products that the soil of the country had refused. The Usurper -justified his claims by his benevolence. Abuses were reformed, the -safety of property and persons was restored, but the greatest severity -was shown to malefactors. Legal enactments at which no one complained -were substituted for the arbitrary power that sooner or later is the -cause of rebellions. By the assurance of public peace he was able to -consolidate his position and no one who shared in the general -prosperity could lay claim to the throne. - -At the end of 1768 a bastard Prince who had been exiled to Ceylon, -reassembled his supporters and set up his authority in various parts -of the country. Phya Tak led an expedition against him and gained a -brilliant victory. The Prince fell into the hands of the conqueror who -ordered his execution as, a punishment for having proved the weaker -party. - -In the same year he led an army against Porcelon and Ligor, two towns -which had not fallen under the Burmese rule. The governors of these -towns, taking advantage of the troubled state of the country, had set -themselves up as independent rulers. Thus it was that the Empire, -delivered from a foreign yoke was harassed by domestic tyrants who -attempted to destroy all that the enemy had spared; in fact the whole -kingdom was in a state of turmoil. - -It is not known whether the expedition was successful. It was reported -but not confirmed that the two towns were captured. - -At the first news of the Siamese revolt the King of Burma sent orders -to the governor of Tavoy to overrun the country again, and to press -the inhabitants of the town into his army to effect the entire ruin of -the country. - -These people, outwardly subservient, had disguised their hatred -against their recent oppressors. The general took only a few Burmese -with him as he had put his trust in the Siamese whom he imagined were -reliable. He soon found out his mistake, for, on sending them against -the town of Beancham which they captured, they closed the gates -against him and swore they had taken up arms only to use them against -their oppressors. They opened fire upon those who had regarded them as -comrades in arms. - -The general, betrayed by his untrustworthy allies, if it is possible -to apply this appellation to the avengers of their country's wrongs, -found himself surrounded by enemies. - -The very countryside turned against him and refused to supply his -wants as the Burmese had destroyed all the fruit trees. The beasts of -burden, finding no fodder in the plains, had strayed to find pasturage -elsewhere. - -At length the army was reduced to rations sufficient for three days -only. It would have been folly rather than heroism to advance further. -The general considered that his duty lay in the preservation of the -lives of those committed to his care. A retreat was made, which was by -no means a disgrace, as it was caused by dire necessity. - -On his arrival at Tavoy he informed his master that his expedition had -been a failure owing to the defection of his troops. - -The King of Ava, smarting under the humiliation of defeat in a land -that had been the scene of his triumphs, determined on taking -vengeance with the utmost severity. But while preparations were being -made for another expedition that he had intended to lead in person, -his plans were altered owing to complications with China which had -arisen as follows. - -After the Burmese had laid waste the kingdoms of Pegu, Siam and -Aracan, they had invaded Laos and Cassaye, (the latter being part of -Bengal), rather as dacoits than as conquerors. They changed these -happy and populous lands into arid deserts and gloried in the -spoliation of what might have been preserved. The ease with which -their early conquests had been effected had caused them to turn their -arms against China, which offered a richer prey to their greed. They -had no grounds for hostilities whatever, but those whose creed is -'Might makes Right,' are always ready to transgress all laws to obtain -their desires. The Burmese declared war on the Chinese on the pretext -of taking vengeance on a small nation whom they called barbarians and -who were less powerful than they. This obscure race was perfectly -contented to live as best it might in the forests that lay between Ava -and China. This savage tribe whose sole asset was its independence, -seemed never, owing to the fact of its poverty, to have been a prize -for the ambition of a conqueror. - -The Kings of Ava had always stood as its protectors and in return -exacted a small tribute. But the Cassians, poor and proud, seeing all -the neighbouring kingdoms agitated by home and foreign wars, wished to -dispense with having to pay a tribute which was more humiliating than -burdensome as it was an indication of their dependent position. In -1749 they had declared that they no longer needed protection, that -their forest, were their ramparts and that their courage had taught -them daring to fear nothing. For some time they enjoyed their -independence, but when the Kingdom of Ava regained its pristine -glories, they found that the Burmese harassed them without -intermission, and their lands, that hardly gave them a bare means of -livelihood, were laid waste by repeated frays. To escape the -domination of Burma, they besought help from their neighbour, the -Emperor of China, who alone could protect them, and to whom their -defence was a matter of importance as they formed the only barrier -between his territories and the barbarians. - -While the hosts of the Burmese were overrunning the Kingdom of Siam, -another swarm of these savages was let loose in the Chinese provinces. -They captured several important positions without meeting any serious -opposition and the inhabitants were put to the sword. It is not a -matter for surprise that their conquests were so readily accomplished. -The Chinese are wont to conquer their neighbours by diplomacy rather -than by the force of arms. They make use of their superior skill to -subdue them by artful promises. The art of war is yet in its infancy -among the Chinese who are cunning diplomats, but cowardly soldiers. -They are skilful in the art of smelting metals and have plenty of -artillery, but they are hopelessly ignorant of its proper use in -warfare. Their chief weapons are but swords, lances and arrows, and -their knowledge of military tactics is lamentably weak. - -The Burmese captured a vast booty. They disposed of the wealth of a -country whose inhabitants are renowned for their ability in -agriculture and commerce. - -Their manufactures and products have attracted the trade of all -nations. The natural fertility of the soil of the country has been -greatly increased by the toil of the cultivators. - -The mountains, which in most countries of the world appear to be -barren, produce abundant harvests in this favoured land. The Burmese -invasion was a cause of other troubles to the country. Many of the -Chinese adopted the customs of the barbarians and became brigands. The -roads were infested with thieves and murderers both of home and -foreign origin who fearlessly plundered unwary travellers. - -At the reports of these disasters, the governor of Canton raised a -force for the deliverance of the country from so terrible a scourge. -But on receipt of the news of his march, the Burmese returned home to -dispose of their plunder and to seek for reinforcements. - -Shortly after this, the Chinese gained a slight success near the -river, but the victory was followed by a crushing defeat, their land -force was cut to pieces and 100,000 men were taken prisoners to Ava -whence they were apportioned to hard labour in the various provinces. -The Chinese force must have been very considerable, as the bulk of the -men fled. It is surprising that the Viceroy of a single province could -have raised so large a host, but it is no longer a matter of wonder -when we remember that the country has a higher birthrate than any -other, and that perhaps the Chinese are the only nation where a system -of absolute government is not an obstacle to the increase of the -population. - -The defeat of the Chinese was easy to repair; the Emperor assembled an -army of 500,000 men who were to overrun the country of their foes. The -King of Ava, too weak to oppose any resistance, mustered all the -available troops from every province to the capital. - -The inhabitants of the lands bordering on Chinese territory abandoned -their possessions and the country became a desert, laid waste by its -inhabitants who wished to deprive the enemy of all means of -sustenance. In the beginning of 1769 we had no reliable information of -the movements of the enemy who were unable to march on Ava owing to -fatigue and scarcity, and we have only had news up to October of this -year 1771. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - ADVANTAGES THAT MIGHT ACCRUE FROM COMMERCIAL RELATIONS - WITH SIAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING KINGDOMS. - - -There is no doubt that owing to the ill-luck experienced by the French -in Siam at the end of the last century, no new trading stations have -been formed in that country. The ministers have invariably turned deaf -ears to the suggestions of the missionaries, and consider that their -business consists more in the saving of souls than in dabbling with -commerce and politics. - -But if we bear in mind the advantages that Europeans of other -nationalities have obtained, we must acknowledge that the French -allowed themselves to be rebuffed by the initial obstacles, and that -they took no notice of sources of wealth which did not present -themselves on the spot. - -The King of Siam had granted permission to the French to open a -trading station; the French merchants were held in high estimation and -were more favoured than those of other nations. Two cities had been -ceded without reservation to Louis XIV. in return for the military -help sent for the defence of the kingdom. The revolution that occurred -during Faulcon's tenure of office obliged the French to leave a -country to which they had been summoned as its defenders, and from -that time onwards, but few French vessels entered the ports of Siam. - -Formerly the Council of Pondicherry had sent several ships to Siam in -the course of each year and one vessel had always been bound for the -port of Mergui alone. They were exempt from ordinary taxation and the -French missionaries, who were respected for their rectitude, were the -only foreign judges who were able to give a decision in cases between -Europeans and Siamese. - -The English had been for more than a century in Siam without any -trading station or representative. Some of them carried on certain -profitable amount of trade. - -The Dutch had gained the commercial supremacy. Their factory was the -finest and most beautiful building in the kingdom and they enjoyed -many privileges of great value. - -The King of Siam, by a policy detrimental to his interests, but as a -boon to his subjects, reserves the monopoly of foreign trade. Thus -trade is not in a flourishing condition as the interested despot fixes -the price of merchandise at his own sweet will. - -Since the last revolution the system of government has been entirely -changed, and today it would be an easy matter for the French to regain -their commercial supremacy by the establishment of a trading station -at Mergui as in former times, or at some spot near the capital. The -station could be protected by a fortress as was formerly the case at -Bangkok the foundations and ruins of which remain to this day. - -A wide and deep river forms a defence to the approaches and it would -only be a matter of 12 leagues from the sea. The French could rebuild -this fortress for the following reasons, (1) Compensation is due for -the losses suffered in 1680. (2) The site had been granted to them -without reservation. (3) The Siamese Government is still in debt to -the India Company, and lastly owing to the fact that a weak minded -nation, who tremble at the sight of an armed Frenchman, could easily -be imposed upon. - -Since the retreat of the Burmese, the kingdom of Siam has been -governed by several petty chieftains who are at perpetual strife with -each other. Bangkok and Mergui have their rulers. The French minister -might make arrangements with one of these usurpers, who might feel -flattered to be under French protection, and, in return might well -grant a piece of land on which to build a fortress for the protection -of commerce. - -Such a fortified trading station would be handy as a port of call for -Pondicherry in connection with commerce with China. - -The country produces all sorts of building materials, brick-clay, -cement, and shell-lime. - -All the neighbouring nations would crowd to the new mart, many -wandering Christian families, homeless since the Burmese invasion, -would take refuge there, and the Chinese who equip vessels at a cheap -rate, would send at least forty ships per annum. They would hasten to -bring their merchandise in the hope of a brisk trade. The India -Company would be spared the expenses that are incurred in having to -seek trade-openings further afield, and that absorb so much of its -profits. - -The Mahomedan descendants of the Arabs, Moguls, and Persians have had -commercial relations with the capital for a considerable time, and to -renew them, they are only waiting for a establishment of a depot by -which trade may be expedited. The foundations would be easy to lay and -by the re-establishment of the college that the French missionaries -had formerly in the kingdom and which enjoyed the highest respect, the -success of the former project could be ensured. The old King when he -was informed that Christianity inculcates obedience to rulers, had -always extended a cordial welcome to the missionaries. - -These men had not left their country to seek their fortunes. Their -disinterestedness was favourable to the Company who trusted them, but -not as paid agents for their share of the profits, nor for whatever -they could appropriate. It would be of great advantage that a well -ordered society should be established in this foreign country so as to -become familiarised with the manners, customs, vices and virtues of -those with whom they dwell. The knowledge of the principal Eastern -languages is also an important matter so that the French merchants -need not be at the mercy of untrustworthy interpreters. The natural -history of this country tells us of the productions that are of -commercial value, and even if such productions as agate, diamonds, -pearls, perfumes dye-stuffs and scented woods, which are known to be -found in the country, could not be discovered in paying quantities; -great advantages could be gained by the trade with the neighbouring -nations for which this kingdom is, geographically speaking, the -meeting place. - -A short sketch should be given of the peoples of the Indo-Chinese -peninsula in order to lead to the better understanding of the -advantages that would accrue from the establishment of trading -stations as above mentioned. The northern part of the peninsula -includes nine kingdoms, viz., Asem, Tipra, Aracan, Pegu, Ava, Laos, -Siam, Cambodia, and Cochin-China. - -The Kingdom of Asem is almost unknown owing to its situation lying -beyond the usual routes favoured by travellers and to reach it, a -considerable detour is necessary. - -It is one of the richest countries of Asia and has no need of any of -the produce of its neighbours to whom it supplies a large quantity of -metals. In this country are mines of gold silver, lead and iron. - -As the inhabitants are free from taxation, the King holds the monopoly -of the mineral products, and, mindful of the well-being of his -subjects, employs slave-labour only in the mines. This is the only -country in Asia, where humanity is not crushed by the weight of -despotic power. - -A creature differing somewhat from our ordinary silkworm produces silk -from which a glossy fabric of inferior quality is produced. Gum-lac is -the most valuable product of the country and is of the finest quality -produced in the East. There are two varieties. The red is used as a -dye-stuff, as a varnish for articles of furniture and for wax. Silver -is the currency of the country. - -The inhabitants are of sturdy build, but the women and are somewhat -snub-nosed. Both sexes are practically naked, and cover their private -parts only. They wear blue caps trimmed with pig's teeth. Their -bracelets, which display a certain amount of taste, are made of coral, -yellow amber, and sometimes of tortoise shell or sea shells. Poverty, -tyranny and oppression are unknown. Every man is master of his own -property and has several wives, each of whom has her appointed -household duties. Although four-footed animals are plentiful, dog's -flesh is the favourite dish. They grow many varieties of vines and the -grape is used for the preparation of brandy only. They extract salt -from the green scum of stagnant pools and they obtain it also from the -leaves of a tree known as Adam's fig tree. The leaves are burnt and an -intensely saline residue is obtained from the ashes. They have a -secret process of extraction by boiling and straining the mother -liquor through a linen fabric. They manufacture gun-powder of the -finest quality and Eastern peoples ascribe the glory of the invention -of this agent of destruction to them, but what is more extraordinary -this country has been engaged in no war for 500 years. The secret has -passed to the Peguans, who in turn handed on to the Chinese, who pose -as the inventors, as doubtless they were the first nation to employ it -in warfare. - -The kingdom of Tipra produces nothing that excites the curiosity of -the traveller or the greed of the merchant. A gold mine is situated in -the country, but the metal is of rather poor quality, and is exchanged -for silver in China. There is also plenty of silk, but of very coarse -quality and is used for common purposes only. The inhabitants are -addicted to intoxicating liquors. Instead of figures, they calculate -with pebbles that have the appearance of small agates. They rarely -journey from their own country and have no commercial relations with -other nations who know them by name only. The kingdom of Aracan has so -extended a coast line that it seems to invite all commercial nations -to trade. The climate is good, plague and other infectious diseases -are unknown. The rich and fertile plains produce all the necessaries -of life. Many tribes live in the pleasant valleys which afford -pasturage to all sorts of wild and domestic animals. Horses are rarely -seen. Horned buffaloes are employed for agricultural operations. Their -anger is aroused at the sight of red. They let those whom they wish to -attack pass quietly by and then gore them from behind with their -murderous horns. These animals, intractable, by nature are obedient -only to the native in charge of them, and gather around him at the -sound of the horn by which he calls them. - -The winter, so to speak, as it is the rainy and stormy season, begins -in April and finishes in October. There is no other season but summer -during which abundant crops of beans, grain and fruits are produced; -but neither wheat nor rye can be grown. The capital gives a good idea -of this kingdom. It is several leagues in extent, its population is -equal to that of the largest towns in Europe, and it contains 600 -temples. The magnificence of the King's palace shows that gold is -plentiful. The Hall of Gold is thus named as it is covered with the -precious metal from roof to floor. A hundred ingots of gold each -weighing 40 pounds are fixed to the throne, which itself is of massy -gold. There are in addition seven golden images of the size of an -ordinary man. They are hollow inside, but the metal is two inches -thick. They are of immense value owing to the emeralds, rubies, -sapphires and diamonds which are set in the forehead, arms and girdles -of these vain images. In this hall there may be seen a square stand -made entirely of gold upon which is a golden cabinet inlaid with -precious stones. The King owns two rubies, each as long as the little -finger, and at one end of the size of a hen's egg. These rubies have -been the cause of desperate conflicts between the neighbouring Kings -owing to the superstition attached to these stones that the possessor -will be arbiter of the fate of the others. The King wears them on the -day of his coronation only. The people, contented with the products of -their land, cannot understand why men risk their lives in the pursuit -of wealth. They take up arms for war only, and never for trade, which -is carried on solely by foreigners from all parts of the world. - -The Mahommedans, especially, carry on a great trade in elephants which -they export to the Coromandel Coast, to Golconda and to Persia from -whence they import fabrics, silks and spices. - -The most plentiful articles of commerce of the country are timber, -lead, tin and ivory. It is worth while to make a few remarks on the -manners and customs of a nation with which commercial relations could -well be established. The Aracanese have broad and flat foreheads which -results from a peculiarity of taste rather than from a freak of -nature, as the work of nature is marred by the application of a leaden -plate to the infant's forehead. - -Their nostrils are large and open and the lobes of their ears are so -long that they nearly reach down to their shoulders. Their dress -consists of a cotton shirt that covers the arms, chest and abdomen. -They wear, in addition, a long trailing garment, and so many other -articles of attire that when they are fully dressed they look more -like rolls of wadding than men. Their hair is piled on the back of -their heads in the fashion of the Dutchwomen. The women have no other -head gear than their coiffure which is kept in place by clasps, and -this style of hairdressing is very effective. Their dishes are not -appetising to European ideas. They eat rats, mice, snakes and all -sorts of humble creatures. They are also fond of fish,--the staler, -the better. Their principal beverage is pure water or a liquor -extracted from the trunk of a certain species of palm tree. Female -chastity commands no respect whatever. Husbands prefer to risk -becoming the fathers of other peoples children rather than to take a -virgin to wife. As a rule the Dutch sailors are paid well for their -services in this matter. - -The King, shut up in his palace, passes a lazy life with the Queen and -his concubines. - -Every year each of the twelve provincial governors selects a dozen -girls of the same age in his district, and exposes them to the ardent -rays of the sun in order to induce perspiration. - -They are then wiped dry with pieces of fine linen which are sent to -the Court so that the odour may indicate those who are most worthy to -enter the harem. Those who are refused admittance become concubines of -the courtiers who receive them as a pledge of royal favour. It is said -that the King's body guard consists of concubines who receive a -certain amount of military training. - -The King takes the following pompous title. - -"Emperor of Aracan, possessor of the White Elephant and of the Two -Rubies, Lawful heir of Pegu and Burma, Lord of Twelve provinces of -Bengal, Disposer of Kings who place their heads beneath the soles of -his feet." - -The liberal arts are utterly ignored if one can judge by the scanty -progress therein made. Medicine, especially, is only a fraud founded -on superstition. The priests known as "Raulins" are summoned to the -bedsides of the sick. They breathe over them and mutter mysterious -incantations. A sacrifice of fowls, pigs or fat beasts is offered to -the god of the four winds. This sacrifice must be repeated four times -to prevent the death of the patient. The Raulins, however, devour the -sacrifices offered to their gods. - -In severe illness their fertile knavery prescribes a strange remedy by -which the Raulins gain no small advantage. The wife, children or the -relations of the patient bedeck an altar on which is placed an image, -and place it in a well furnished room wherein are assembled the -priests and relatives as for a grand banquet. The Master of the -Ceremonies dances and hops about until he is exhausted. A rope is then -fastened to the ceiling and the performer supports himself by it and -jumps higher and higher until he falls down in a swoon which is -considered to be a divine trance Everyone pretends to be envious of -his good luck, as they are sure he is enjoying a tete a tete with -his god. The priests, who solemnly preside at this fantastic ceremony, -anoint the sick man with oil and perfumes, and, if he happens to die -they never blame themselves. They say that his death is a blessing -from the gods who have taken him from this vale of tears to the -mansions of the blest. - -Their gross superstitions are seen to best advantage in their funeral -rites. Whilst the priests are chanting prayers and burning incense, -the friends and relatives of the deceased thump copper vessels in -order to scare away black cats, for if by ill luck one of these -animals were to touch the corpse, the soul of the deceased would be -exiled from the heavenly abode where it would have its fill of -pleasures of all sorts and would be reincarnated in mortal shape. - -There is a certain sect of priests who believe that they share in the -power of the gods. They are summoned to a grand banquet by the -relatives of the deceased, and if they refuse the invitation, it is a -sign that the soul of the dead man has been cast into the nethermost -hell. Hired mourners are engaged to make a loud outcry. The dead whose -relatives have not been able to honour with a funeral pyre, are -exposed at the water's edge, and are carried away by the stream. -Sometimes the corpses are devoured by birds of prey, which latter -having always plenty of available foodstuff increase and multiply and -even attack buffaloes and oxen. - -Sometimes they hasten the death of their friends and relations when -they are seem to be suffering from the pains of old age or from some -incurable malady. This action, which is a crime among civilized -nations, is regarded by them as an act of piety, as they say that it -is cruel to let those for whom happiness is waiting in Heaven, suffer -here on earth. These peoples are sunk in the lowest depths of -idolatry. Their temples are built in pyramidical shape and contain a -large assortment of idols. They have gods of the house whose images -they brand on their arms and shoulders with a hot iron. The barking of -dogs, the bellowings of bulls, the howls of wild beasts, the songs of -birds are considered as omens of coming events which the priests -interpret to their own advantage. They celebrate a feast of the dead -at which their fanaticism is pushed to its cruellest limits. One of -their idols is dragged on a heavy car and is accompanied by Priests -dressed in white. The fanatical devotees cast themselves under the -wheels, and their blood is held to be a most pleasing offering to the -god. Others are fastened by iron hooks to the car and, covered with -blood, they are placed in a temple where they become objects of public -worship. It is a matter of congratulation to all those on whose -garments a drop of their blood falls. These holy madmen are worshipped -as martyrs. There are three grades of priests. The head priest, who -lives in the island of Munay, has control of public worship. His -commands are very rarely infringed. The respect he inspires almost -approaches to adoration. The King, absolute as he is, never disputes -the precedence of the head-priest on ceremonial occasions and never -covers himself before him. All the priests are vowed to perpetual -celibacy, and should one of them break his vows of chastity, he is at -once disgraced and expelled from the priesthood. Although they all -obey the same head priest, they do not conform to a universal rule of -life. Some live in their own houses at their own expense and are not a -burden on society. Remote from the stresses of the world and despising -mundane joys, they are unnoticed by the public and make their dwelling -among the rocks or in deep forests or in deserts. When they are -obliged to appear in public, they are of humble mien and with eyes -downcast, but this show of modesty is but a clever method of -attracting attention. Other, more happy and sociable, live in fine -palaces in the idle enjoyment of the multifarious gifts that the King -and the Princes proffer to them in profusion in order to gain the -favour of Heaven. - -The education of the young is entrusted to these idolatrous priests, -as if men whose sole functions seem to be prayer and ascetism, could -have the necessary abilities for the upbringing of magistrates, -warriors, artists or statesmen. - -There are hermits as well, a variety of wild men whose sanctity is in -proportion to their eccentricities. They, like the priests are divided -into classes, and all renounce the pleasures of life. - -Although Europeans have had considerable intercourse with the Kingdom -of Ava, it is really a country about which very little is known. The -majority of those who have given descriptions of this land have been -either soldiers or traders, whose aims have been the acquisition of -wealth rather than the desire to make accurate observations. All -travellers agree that the fertile soil produces an abundance of rice -and fruits, and that mines of lead, copper and silver exist, but that -the natives have not sufficient skill to work them. In Ava, the -capital of the kingdom, there is a considerable trade in musk, and in -rubies and sapphires of the finest quality. The natives are quite -successful in working these mines. Trade would flourish if public -peace so necessary to industrial occupations, were not so frequently -disturbed by various revolutions. - -The form of Government is despotic. The King who should be merely the -administrator of the law has usurped the rights of making, and -breaking the law at his own pleasure. - -Each province has its deputy at the Court under whose protection it -resides. This delegate has the right of representing the needs of his -fellow citizens and as the King is always well posted in state -affairs, oppressors are speedily brought to justice and punished. The -following are the titles assumed by the King. - -"King of Kings who should be obeyed by everyone. Friend and Relation -of the gods of Heaven and Earth, who from their regard for him -preserve the animals and govern the seasons. Brother of the Sun, -Cousin of the Moon and of the Stars. Absolute Master of the ebb and -flow of the Tides. King of the White Elephant and of the Twenty Four -Umbrellas." The arrogance of the Monarch is such that on rising from -table, he orders that a trumpet be sounded to announce the fact to the -other Kings of the earth that they have his permission to take their -repast. Foreign ambassadors as well as his own subjects must prostrate -themselves before him and even the elephants are trained to crouch -down when he passes. - -The military forces do not draw their pay from the public treasury. -Each provincial governor has certain lands in his province, the -produce of which is devoted to the support of the soldiery in time of -peace, and in war time he supplies them with arms, food, and clothing. -Officers are distinguished from the rank and file by the magnificence -of their pipes which have certain joints to indicate the rank. - -The Kingdom of Jangoma is situated on the north of Siam. It is not -easy to define its boundaries accurately as they have changed owing to -revolutions and political events. The country is governed by the -priests whose power should be limited by law since the inhabitants -style themselves "free-men," a title which servile and degraded races -ought not to assume. Few details are known of the country and its -inhabitants and we can only draw our conclusions from certain Chinese -accounts and Siamese traditions. The following is all that is at -present known to us on this matter. - -The inhabitants are a well-built and vigorous race. Owing to the heat -of the sun they wear scanty raiment consisting of a thin loin cloth. -They go bareheaded and have never used shoes. The women are as -voluptuous as the Peguans, but are much more handsome and are greatly -in demand for the harems of pleasure loving Kings. Although the soil -produces every necessary and even some luxuries of life, corn cannot -be cultivated. But instead of bread, rice cakes form the staple -article of diet. Besides necessaries of life the country produces -musk, pepper, silk, gold, silver, copper and gums. It is true that -certain travellers say that the bulk of these products come from -China. But it would be less costly for a company established in Siam -to procure them from Jangoma, rather than from the remotest East, and -more so as this nation having had no commercial relations is unaware -of the advantages of its geographical position. - -We have very little information about the customs of the country, but -it is known that the devil plays an important part in the beliefs of -the inhabitants. The sick promise him sacrificial offerings and if he -condescends to restore them to health they celebrate their recovery by -a great feast to which all their friends and relations bring gifts of -fruits to propitiate the evil spirit whom they look upon as the author -of all diseases. - -They are quite sure that the devil has no ear for music, as it is by -instrumental efforts that they endeavour to drive him out of the -house. The same motive, doubtless prompts them to summon priests to -chant round the bedside of the sick man, who encouraged by their -dismal voices expects a speedy relief from his pains. Death, which is -a cause of mourning to men of other races of the earth, is for this -nation a festal and delightful event. There seems to be a total lack -of regret for the departed or at least they skilfully disguise their -feelings in the matter. The corpse is borne on a reed litter by -sixteen men to the place of cremation. The friends and relations, -preceded by a band, follow in the procession. Quantities of presents -are offered to the idolatrous priests who like birds of prey, live on -the spoils of the dead. When the corpse has been cremated the funeral -party returns to the house and the next two days are spent in feasting -and dancing. After this, the widow bedecked with the trappings of woe -proceeds to the cremation ground. All groan loudly and weep as they -pick up the bones left by the flames. As a sign of mourning they -merely get their hair cut. - -Laos, which signifies thousands of elephants, derives its name from -the numbers of these animals living in the forests of that country. - -The climate is so mild and the air so pure that we are told that men -of a hundred and even a hundred and twenty years still retain the full -powers of their manhood. The bounties of nature are manifest in the -plains and valleys and even the hilly districts. The watercourses -which receive the mountain torrents, distribute the water evenly over -the land and there are neither marshes nor stagnant ponds. The eastern -bank of the river is the more fertile, the animals on this side are -larger and finer, and the trees are more lofty. Here is grown the best -rice of the East. The ground on which it has been sown, becomes -covered with a sort of foam after the harvest and the heat of the sun -converts it into solid salt. - -Benzoin and lacquer of the best quality are found in the country, and -from the latter Spanish wax is made. - -Although ivory of superior quality is abundant, they consider -rhinoceros horn to be of more value, as it is supposed to have the -property of rendering the possessors lucky. The people of the upper -classes as they happen to become more prosperous, discard the horn -they possess so as to buy another which is reputed to be more -efficacious and none of their valuables is guarded with greater care. - -The flowers that stud the plains nourish swarms of bees which supply -honey and wax. Tin, lead and iron mines are an important asset to the -country. Gold and silver are found in the rivers whence it is -extracted by means of iron nets. - -Musk, which is one of the chief articles of commerce, is not a product -of this country, but a composition of ambergris and the secretion of a -species of cat, which gives off an agreeable perfume is used instead. -In the forests are plenty of wild animals, but cultivation is carried -on by the help of buffaloes and oxen. The rivers teem with fish, some -so large that two men can hardly carry one. The poor live on salt fish -and rice. Although there is no salt water in the country, they find -splendid rubies. Doubtless the foam that covers the fields after the -rice harvest supplies the lack of salt for the formation of this -precious stone in the bosom of the earth. - -The Chinese carried on a considerable trade with Laos before the -Tartar invasion. They brought velvets, silks, stuffs, carpets, -horse-hair, cottons, gold, silver and porcelain which they bartered -for ivory, opium and drugs. - -In the province of Laos from whence the kingdom takes its name, there -is a deep mine whence rubies and emeralds are extracted. The King -possesses an emerald of the size of an ordinary orange. - -Commercial relations, if established in this country, would be -assuredly fruitful for the reason that the Laosians are the most -upright and honest people in the Indo-Chinese peninsula. Not that they -desire to possess every curious article of foreign origin they may -see, but they prefer to be importunate in their demands for it rather -than to attempt to gain possession of it by violence. The greatest -praise that can be bestowed upon them is to remark on their fidelity -to their pledged word. Robbery and murder are rarely heard of on the -main routes, as the townships and villages are held responsible for -any insults offered to travellers in the vicinity. - -Their virtues are not unmixed with vices. By nature incorrigible -idlers, they work only when absolutely obliged to. Arduous toil -disgusts them, and destitute of perseverence, they cannot fix their -attention for long on a single object and never examine anything more -than superficially. Unbridled in their desires for the opposite sex, -they seem to live merely for reproduction. - -Sorcery and magic are the sources of many crimes and superstitions, -but it is a weakness of the oriental mind never to undertake any -important matter before having consulted and paid highly for the -services of their duly qualified humbugs. The purity of the air tends -to make the people long lived, and although the country is not very -large, an army of 500,000 fighting men could easily be raised and it -would not be difficult to raise a large force of centenarians, all -healthy and vigorous. The inhabitants are less temperate than in other -Eastern countries. They take four meals a day. Rice, fish and buffalo -meat form their staple articles of diet. They rarely eat veal, beef or -poultry. Birds are roasted with their feathers which impart a -disagreeable taste to the flesh. - -As a rule the magistrates and the higher officials do not take more -than one wife, but this moderation is due to motives of economy. They -wish to give the impression that they are so busy with state affairs -that they have no time to give to their own pleasures. - -However they keep large numbers of concubines which make up for the -fact of their only keeping one wife. Marriage is a life-institution, -but divorce is so common that marriage appears to be but a passing -fancy. When a woman is convicted of adultery the husband can inflict -whatever punishment he thinks fit. - -Funerals are occasions of festivity rather than of mourning. The -priests are well paid and are magnificently entertained. They -contribute tears and funeral dirges and point out the road to the -heavenly mansions to the spirit of the deceased. In the grave are -placed offerings of money. It is to be presumed that the priests, as -owners of the graves put the wealth buried by ignorance into -circulation again. It should be noticed that the trade of this country -has suffered from the various revolutions. In former times its -products were taken to Siam, but since the Burmese invasion, they have -been diverted to Pegu. The hatred inspired by the continuous state of -hostility between these two nations has driven trade to Cambodia where -the Laosians find a ready market for their gums, lacquer and other -articles. - -This ignorant nation boasts that it taught the Siamese the art of -writing on palm leaves; the language and the characters are similar, -but the Laosians cannot pronounce the letters R. and L. It is said -that in the olden time, their mode of worship was unmixed with -superstitious beliefs. They had no temples but worshipped a Creator -god who ruled the world, and who could only be pleased by the practice -of virtue and not by sacrifice and ceremony. They believe that after -the lapse of a certain number of centuries, the universe will be -renewed. This idea of a Periodical Great Year has been adopted by -nearly all the nations of old time. - -Commercial intercourse with the Chinese has altered these simple -beliefs. - -They had priests who became legislators and who, in order to avoid the -risk of having their arguments refuted, produced books written in -foreign characters. As their teachings were not understood, they -appeared to be highly mysterious and were greatly respected, and it -was no difficult matter for these cunning impostors to attribute a -divine origin to their doctrinal hypotheses. Their learned men are -divided into three classes. Some teach how the universe and the gods -have been created, but they base their arguments on fables and not on -facts. Others who are styled 'the enlightened' reconcile all -embarrassing questions and contradictory statements. - -The new doctrine proclaims the eternity of Heaven and sixteen worlds, -and that, in the highest of them, the lucky inhabitants taste of -perpetual felicity unmixed with sorrow. These worlds are liable to -destruction and renewal and they reckon 18,000 years since the renewal -of the actual earth. They grant the existence of a hell, but the -priests never mention the torments prepared for the wicked, lest they -should intimidate the feeble minded. Polygamy is the reward hoped for -in the next world by the righteous, but as this doctrine is somewhat -distasteful to the women, they are told that those who lead a godly -life will be changed into men. The same reward is promised to all -those who bestow their wealth on religious objects, by the assurance -that the donor will have as many women as could be purchased by the -treasure they have laid up in heaven. - -The priests, sworn to celibacy, console themselves with the belief -that after death they will have the power to create a number of women -with whom they may do as they please. They practise chastity during -their lifetime with the sole idea of satiating their vicious desires -in the next world, and that which is regarded as a virtue in Heaven is -considered to be a vice on earth. Their monasteries are schools of -debauchery or are filled with men of the lowest class. Puffed up with -the dignity of their office they compel such a respect that the chief -of the nation himself can refuse to grant it at his peril only. - -Their cells are separate and that of the abbot is magnificently -appointed. Gold and silk and articles of luxury are everywhere -apparent. Seated on a dazzling throne the abbot receives the worship -of his underlings and of the devout public. - -I shall not enter into details of their mode of life as I should then -be obliged to repeat what I have already remarked about the priests, -but I ought to mention certain customs which seem to justify the -opinion of those who maintain that Christianity in its early forms was -established among these people. - -On the fourteenth day of every month they are obliged to assemble to -make a public confession of their sins. A humble avowal is sufficient -to gain absolution, and as the penances are not painful, backsliders -are frequent. They frequently employ holy water of which they always -keep a supply handy. They consider that it is a highly efficacious -remedy against the severest diseases. - -The priests, in fact, consider it as an article of of trade; and -barter it for valuable liquors. The altars are adorned with flowers, -and illuminated by torches. They also make use of rosaries, the beads -of which are often of diamonds or rubies to assist the ignorance of -those who are unable to read their prayers and hymns. They observe an -Easter and a Jubilee. During those solemn occasions, all work is -forbidden, and in consequence this time of rest in given up to -debauchery. The preachers mount on pulpits whence they announce rules -of conduct of a fairly pure and stringent nature, which however are -broken by most people. The rich purchase indulgences, but the greedy -priests only grant them for a limited period, and on expiration of the -term, a new permit to transgress the laws must be purchased. Only the -very poor need despair of the attainment of eternal felicity. The -wealthy expend vast sums on these impostors who in return agree to -expiate their peccadilloes. - -The hermit priests live in dark caverns, in the midst of the forests, -where in solitary retirement a large colony grows up around them in -proof of their libidinous habits. It must not however be inferred that -there are not some melancholy individuals who disgusted with life, -bury themselves in these subterranean abodes and give themselves up to -prayer and contemplation. A life of asceticism is by no means -wearisome in tropical climates, where laziness is regarded as a -variety of annihilation. Their occult researches have undoubtedly -resulted in the discovery of certain tricks by which they impose on -popular credulity. All of their mystic rites seem to have been -modelled on or derived from the doctrines of Pythagoras or of the -Priests of Egypt. Magic was the foundation, of these doctrines, and -traces of such practice are visible in the writings of Apulius, -Iamblichus and Porphery. - -The Kingdom of Cambodia is known to few travellers, who having made a -short visit there have given us very vague accounts. It is to be hoped -that the Missionaries who have planted colonies there will give us -information as to the possible advantages to be thence derived. Their -scrupulous accuracy pays greater attention to that which is useful to -us rather than to embellishments. - -It is known that this country, protected by a mountain range, is -watered by the great river that traverses the country. Its equatorial -situation must of necessity give it a torrid climate, and in order to -avoid the burning heat only the banks of rivers or lakes are -inhabited. Travellers have much to suffer from the attacks of insects. - -This country, one of the most fertile of the Indies produces corn, -rich harvests of rice, vegetables of fine quality, and oil which -commands a high price. Seafarers of all nationalities have landed to -take in supplies. Besides these important products, sugar and indigo -of good quality are produced, which form leading native industries. -The country is well wooded and fruit trees are plentiful. Sapan, -sandal and other rare woods occur in the forests. All sorts of drugs, -opium and camphor are abundantly produced. An extremely transparent -variety of crystal is found in the rocks. This happy land produces -amethysts, rubies, topazes, chrysolites, agates, bloodstones and other -precious stones. Raw silk and ivory are very cheap. An ox weighing 500 -lbs costs only a crown, and 150 lbs of rice can be bought for eight -sols. Everyone is allowed to hunt elephants, and tigers and lions are -found in the forests as well as most of the wild beasts which appear -to flourish only in the African deserts. - -The coast line 140 leagues in extent has only five or six safe -anchorages for vessels. The most noteworthy port is opposite to the -Siamese coast and has a great trade in lac, gums and ivory. The -harbour of Pontameas would attract a great number of foreign ships but -its trade has greatly fallen off since it was demolished in 1717 by -the Siamese. The other harbours are but little known. The sea lying -between this kingdom and that of Siam is dotted by numerous islets -which render navigation dangerous. The two largest, although fertile, -have been laid waste because the pirates who infest these seas have -seized the results of the work and industry of the inhabitants. It -would be an easy matter to set up an advantageous trading-station in -Quadrol island where there are many natural sandy harbours. There is -as well a group of eight islands having a good anchorage; Pulocondor -is the only inhabited member of the group. This island is called the -island of Orleans by the French and is about three leagues long and -one and a half wide. - -The harbour is commodious and the anchorage easy. The sea abounds with -many species of fish, and turtles, the shells and oil of the latter -being valuable articles of trade. It is a land of monkeys and lizards -some of which are ugly and covered with scales. Their bite is fatal. -Others have claws and their tails, seven or eight feet long, are -triangular in shape. They are good to eat. Flying squirrels and rats -having ears shaped like those of human beings are to be seen. Most of -the trees are balsamic, one species yielding gum has the bark and -leaves like that of a chestnut tree. Oil is extracted by making an -incision in the trunk and applying heat. There are many wild fruit -trees bearing appetising looking fruits, but of insiped taste and -frequently poisonous. A botanist could make a fine collection of -plants and flowers unknown in other climates. - -There is only one village inhabited by about 400 persons; frequently -it is deserted as the inhabitants take up their abode in spots where -they can satisfy their needs. The Cochin Chinese send the Christians -to this island. It was captured by the English who set up a trading -post in 1702. The governor had hired Macassar mercenaries and had -promised to terminate their engagement after three years. He did not -keep to his agreement and he kept them to strengthen the growing -colony. This breach of trust ought to have made him wary, but he -forgot that his example might cause his betrayal. As a result these -savages, who although being rigid observers of treaties, thought they -had a right to exact vengeance, and all the English were massacred the -same night. - -The Kingdom of Cambodia is inhabited by Portuguese, Japanese, -Cochin-Chinese and Malays of whom some are passing traders, but others -have become residents. The Portuguese have no priests and their -religion is a mixture of idolatry and Christianity. They are in -receipt of a small subsidy from the King, which together with the -spoils of the chase forms their means of livelihood. The men are well -built, and the women are distinctly handsome, but their lack of -modesty counterbalances all the advantages they might otherwise derive -from their personal appearance. These people never risk the perils of -the sea in order to gain wealth, but they see the ships of all nations -coming to their harbours for the purchase of the natural products of -the land which are plentiful. They dig a fair quantity of gold and -manufacture fabrics of as good quality as those of Holland. Their -skill in embroidery is well known. The Dutch used to have a trading -station and they had estimated that by the export of black lacquer, -deer-skins, oxen and buffaloes to Japan, a profit of from 40 per cent -to 70 per cent could be gained. But they met with opposition from the -Portuguese who were jealous of their prosperity, and, on account of -the various revolutions which have disturbed the peace of the kingdom, -they have been obliged to forego all the advantages that they had -hoped to gain. For these reasons, the different European nations have -had no desire to form trading stations in these parts. - -The religion is somewhat similar to that of Siam. They grant the -existence of several heavenly abodes for the souls of the departed. In -some of these heavens they are regaled with the finest liquors and the -most delicious viands, and the senses are stimulated by all manner of -delights. Women always young and beautiful, reciprocate the passion -they inspire. - -There is another heaven specially reserved for the solitary priests -who have lived apart from the world. Their felicity consists in the -utter absence of sensation, a sort of annihilation which is considered -the height of bliss by lazy folks. The gods abide in the highest -heaven and the privileged persons who imitate their virtues partake of -their happiness. They also grant the existence of thirteen hells to -which evil-doers are consigned according to the heinousness of their -offences. - -The priesthood contains many members and is divided into several -classes, of which the first takes precedence even of the King himself. -The second class consider themselves as his equals, and as the general -belief is that they share the perfection of the deity, a profound -respect is paid to them although the majority of them are of the -lowliest origin. Their chief is known as the King of the priests and -in certain districts he has supreme authority. - -There are two ranks of nobility. The governors of towns and provinces, -the ministers and judges are drawn from the first rank and are -distinguished by a golden betelnut box. The nobles of the second rank -have silver boxes. - -The King is absolute. He can dispose of the goods of his subjects or -rather slaves as he pleases. Children have no right of inheritance and -whatever the King condescends to leave them is regarded as a personal -favour. Although this Kingdom is of large extent it can scarcely put -an army of 30,000 men in the field. This petty king is as proud and -luxurious as the greatest rulers of Asia and it is this idea of -imaginary greatness that frequently renders him insolent towards -foreigners. - -The country of Champa has a short coast-line with many commodious bays -and harbours. Travellers have never penetrated the interior. No other -town is known but Feneri, which used to be the royal residence before -the country fell under the rule of the Cochin-Chinese, who, flying -from Tartar tyranny were welcomed by the people whose rulers they have -become. Their weapons are muskets, pikes and sabres in the use of -which they show great skill. They are gentle and affable especially to -foreigners. They show great respect for law from the King down to the -lowest of his subjects. Their code is severe and the slightest faults -do not fail to be punished. The people are not allowed to possess -silver, and anyone convicted of its possession is severely punished. -Gold is an article of trade and copper coin is the only currency. All -callings are sold at a price and the consideration they enjoy is -proportionate to the price. Whoever has sunk his fortune in the -purchase of an office soon recovers his losses by means of exactions -which are not punished, so as not to intimidate those who may wish to -become office-holders. Liberty of worship is enjoined by the laws but -most of the people are either Mahommedans or followers of Confucius; -there are also idolators, some of whom worship reptiles and the lowest -animals, while others regard the sun and moon as the creative powers. - -The Mahomedans of this country do not observe the Koran strictly. They -eat pork and are so hospitable that they have no shame in prostituting -their wives to their guests. They however make an exception in the -case of the principal wife whom they cannot repudiate unless she has -been convicted of adultery. - -The Chinese come annually to trade in tea, porcelain, silk and various -commodities which they barter for scented woods and for gold which is -of finer quality than the gold found in China. - -No country has had greater commercial intercourse with Siam than -Cochin-China, a name signifying Western China given to it by the -Portuguese in contradistinction to China proper. The country is easy -of access, the harbours are numerous and commodious and a depth of 80 -fathoms is common in the bays. The country is densely populated and -there are many towns and cities. Its fertility is due to the -periodical inundations which leave a fine alluvial deposit on their -retreat, and the heat of the sun brings the vegetable products to -maturity early and imparts a fine flavour. There is a certain species -of tree grown here known as the 'indestructible' as the timber never -rots either in water or in the earth. It is used for ship's anchors. -The mountains where this tree flourishes also produces various kinds -of scented woods and all manner of flowers and perfumes. In this -country are quarries of marble of various kinds and numerous gold -mines. The inhabitants have learnt the art of smelting metals from the -Chinese but they have not divulged the secret to them of casting iron -into cannon and mortars. On the mountains are many rhinoceros of a -larger size than any others in the Indies. Trade with the interior is -considerable, merchants resort to the fairs at which all kinds of -merchandize is offered for sale. The silk produced in this land is not -of the first quality, but it is so plentiful that it is used for -making ropes and sails. The land tortoises furnish oil. A considerable -trade is carried on in pepper, sugar, honey and wax. The Chinese and -the Japanese have the commercial supremacy. These foreigners are not -subject to the laws of the country, they are magistrates who -adjudicate all commercial disputes that arise between the traders of -their nations. The impressions of the Cochin-Chinese given to us by -travellers are partly unfavourable, and partly favourable. The Dutch -who have suffered ill usage at their hands accuse them of -faithlessness to their promises, of arrogance in their demeanour, and -of treachery. Others who have been well received by them praise their -kindliness towards foreigners, their commercial rectitude and above -all their respect for the duties of hospitality. In spite of these -conflicting opinions, all modern travellers concur in the view that -their manners are as simple as their customs. Their gentleness of -character saves them from acts of violence that in an instant ruin the -impressions derived from years of exemplary conduct. - -Their diet is simple, the sole articles being rice, fish and -vegetables. Their usual beverage is a kind of tea that differs from -the Chinese variety. They mingle sugar derived from a certain tree -with their drinking water which thus acquires a pleasant taste and -odour. They have a few wines, but prefer strong liquors to wine which -they nevertheless use in moderation at marriages and other solemn -festivals, which are the only occasions of excess. Although dependent -on neighbouring nations, they allow their hair to grow long as a sign -of their freedom. Their grandees keep up splendid establishments and -wear robes embroidered with pearls which they prefer to diamonds. The -women are veiled, but uncover their faces in salutation. Their medical -men are dressed in black and wear a mitre shaped headdress. They trim -neither their beard nor their nails as a sign that they are less -desirous to please than to instruct. They know that respectability is -well assured by the adaptation of strange habits. - -Their houses have no other ornamentations than paintings and gilded -sculptures. Marriage ceremonies, funeral rites and festivals are -similar to those of the Chinese from whom they are descended, but in -this, their new country, they have extinguished the torch of the -liberal arts which illumined the land of their origin. It is not that -they are without seats of learning, but such as they have are schools -of error in which under the pretext of studying astronomy, they devote -themselves to all the lies of astrology in order to seek for -revelations of the future. They predict eclipses without being able to -calculate their exact time, extent and duration and, regarding them as -omens of serious evil, employ thousands of weird methods to counteract -their supposed malign influence. - -The King and all the chief officers of state as well as the learned, -follow the doctrines of Confucius, which they have received from their -ancestors. They have neither temples nor priests, but all pay deep -respect to the great god Tien. The common people, plunged in the -depths of the darkest idolatry, give themselves up to the most vulgar -superstitions. They have bonzes who are divided into several classes. -Some of them live on the produce of the land and waters assigned to -them; others, subservient to a chief, live on the alms of the people; -a more certain source than the hard won produce of the ground. If we -can judge by the filthy state of their temples, most of which are in -ruins, it seems that the priests and their devotees are the only -persons who are attached to their religion. The foreign missionaries -have made great conquests for the faith in these parts and it merely -needs a greater number of workers to gather in an abundant harvest. - -Those who believe in metempsychosis are loth to kill either the most -dangerous animals, or the vilest insects, but by a strange -contradiction as is usual in erroneous doctrines, they sacrifice swine -to their gods and to the spirits of the departed. They believe that -souls which do not pass into other corporeal forms are changed into -demons, fairies or goblins. Thus it is that the fear inspired by these -malign creatures gives credence to thousands of fables. - -The law is no respecter of persons. The King a severe and upright -judge passes sentence on the guilty, but his representatives in the -provinces are more lenient, as they are amenable to bribery. A woman -convicted of adultery is trampled to death by an elephant. A first act -of theft is punished by the loss of a finger, the second by the loss -of an ear, and the third by death. This graduated system of punishment -should be a lesson to those nations generally whose laws inflict the -same penalty on one, who by a passing weakness has committed some -crime, or on another who is a hardened criminal. False witness is -punished according to the nature of the charge brought. When the King -pronounces sentence he is mounted on a fine elephant and petitioners -may only approach within eighty paces of the royal presence. - -This Prince is wealthy for the reason that many of his neighbours pay -a high price for his protection. He derives a considerable revenue -from the elephants, wax, and ivory produced in his country; the -tribute paid in scented woods and gold dust by his vassals forms -another source of income. Besides the tribute exacted from the vassal -states, there is a general poll-tax, and every man from the age of 18 -to 60 has to pay about fifteen livres. This tax is less derogatory -than the forced labour of eight months to which every slave or subject -is liable. The grandees are obliged to offer valuable gifts on certain -days of the year to the King, and these would exhaust their resources -if it were not for the gifts which they in return extort from their -inferiors to replace the losses caused by these forced benevolences. - -At the death of each land-owner, the King takes possession of the -landed property and leaves only the money and personal effects of the -deceased to the heirs. The tariff dues on foreign merchandise are -still another source of revenue. - -The Government of the Kingdom of Cochin-China is purely military. The -weapons of the country are muskets, bows and daggers. Drill is -performed in silence. The leader directs all the evolutions by motions -of his baton, and if he makes a mistake he is reduced to the ranks. -The Court is an example of Asiatic pomp. The first dignities of the -state are conferred on eunuchs, as it is supposed that as they are -unable to beget children, they will be all the less avaricious. - -This policy has not succeeded in Europe, where experience has shown -that celibate ministers have accumulated vast wealth. The -heir-presumptive to the throne has command of the navy, and of his -private body guard of 5,000 men. The younger son is commander-in-chief -of the army. He has also a body guard of 2,000 men. A standing army is -maintained as a protection against rebellions. - -Crimes against the King's person are cruelly punished. The guilty -party is tied up to a post and each soldier cuts off a piece of his -flesh until nothing but the skeleton remains. The severity of the code -in force proves that the nation is prone to crime. The law endeavours -to deter crime by the threats of severe punishment. The soldiers are -clad in satin and the uniforms of the officers are of velvet and -silver. - -There are military schools in which children are trained at the public -expense. The spirit of emulation is fostered by rewards which pander -to the growing mind. They receive silk dresses and other accoutrements -that flatter their vanity. Those who take no advantage from their -lessons are dressed in linen. - -Christianity has made great progress in this land, but has had much to -fight against. The ignorance of the idolatrous priests, and the -foolish nature of their doctrines, have been favourable to the -progress of Missionary enterprise. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - TONKIN. - - -The intercourse between Siam and Tonkin requires special notice. The -exact extent of Tonkin is not known accurately, but all travellers -agree that it is a more densely populated country than France, and -some imagine that it is of equal extent. - -Although situated in the tropics, it enjoys a climate of perpetual -spring, and the air which by rights should be burning hot is cooled by -the South and North winds which blow alternately for 6 months each in -the year. The rainy season begins in April and lasts until August. At -this season the leafy trees have their branches weighed down by masses -of fruit, the countryside luxuriates in vegetation and promises a rich -harvest of rice. There is neither corn nor grapes, but nature supplies -their lack by other products. It is true that at times the land is -stricken with sterility. The floods destroy the young crops and the -drought changes the fertile earth into arid dust. - -A range of inaccessible mountains seems to act as a line of defence -against foreign invasion. These mountains are clothed with forests -containing many fruit trees and inhabited by tigers, deer, and -elephants. The interior of the country is occupied by rising ground. -The plains are watered by numerous rivers and canals form cheap and -facile means of communication. Although the country has so many -products of commercial value, the inhabitants give all their attention -to fishing. - -Kankao is the chief town, and many travellers have compared it -favourably with the most populous cities of Asia. There are no -imposing edifices with the exception of the royal palace and the -arsenal, in other respects it is a confused collection of wooden huts. -The foreign trading establishments are the only brick buildings. The -ruins of an ancient palace, destroyed during the civil wars, are still -visible and the relics point to the pristine glories of the city. The -arsenal is a building that would command admiration in Europe. It is -furnished with artillery, ammunition and all kinds of warlike stores. - -Here the physicist would be struck by the phenomenon of the tides, as -the sea ebbs and flows only once in the 24 hours and is only -appreciable at the first and last quarters of the moon. - -The products are similar to those of other countries of the Indies, -but the fruits are finer and more delicious than those of any other -Asiatic country. The oranges are large and luscious, but the use of -the citron is unsafe as it supplies the mordant used in the dyeing of -cotton. - -Cultivated fruits include sweet potatoes yams, bananas, mangos, limes, -cocoanuts and pineapples. The elephants are the largest and most -active of those found in Asia. Temperance is a national virtue and -their staple articles of diet are merely rice, vegetables, roots, and -salt fish. They observe festivals at which game of all sorts is eaten -and especially at weddings and funerals they indulge in all manner of -good cheer. They devour horseflesh buffalo and goat meat, dogs, -rabbits, rats, frogs, shell fish and all kinds of fish. For dessert -they have the most excellent fruits, the odour and colour and taste of -which are pleasing to all the senses. Cleanliness is noticeable in all -their dishes. The tables and crockery as well as they themselves are -perfumed. In formal feasts the guests keep profound silence, and -speech before the conclusion of the repast would be considered -impolite. This restraint during their meals might be attributed to -their voracious appetites. Their usual beverage is a kind of tea with -which on festal occasions they mingle arrack. They manufacture strong -drink from rice and other vegetables. - -The Tonkinese have flat oval faces. Their teeth, naturally white, are -blackened so as to avoid the reproach that they resemble those of dogs -or elephants. Though of a swarthy complexion they are fairer than the -other inhabitants of the Indies. They have long thick black hair. They -are active and cunning and seem adapted by nature to be an -accomplished race; but idleness, the vice of the climate is a check to -industry and renders them poverty stricken. Their insensate passion -for gambling reduces the wealthiest to beggary. Having lost all their -money, jewels and other possessions, they will wager their wives and -children and even their horses to which they are greatly attached. - -The dress of the Tonkinese consists of a long robe reaching to the -heels. The grandees are dressed in silk or English cloth. The populace -and soldiery wear robes of cotton stuff reaching to the knees. -Fishermen and workmen, who are obliged to spend their time out of -doors, wear hats made of straw or leaves. The King is the only person -permitted by law to wear shoes. The common people go bare-foot but -this is no discomfort in a land where the soil is sandy. This custom -is in vogue in Abyssinior and in all warm countries and only -foreigners find that it is distasteful. They however wear sandals as -do the officials and the learned men affect the same fashion. The -latter allow their nails to grow long as a sign of their rank. Men and -women used to be obliged to wear their hair bound up, as a mark of -their vassalage, during the time when this kingdom was a dependent -state of China, but at the present time they wear it loose over their -shoulders. The nation has borrowed its arts, science and etiquette -from the Chinese. Their language which is monosyllabic, greatly -resembles Chinese, and inflexions of the voice determine the -signification of the syllables. The Tonkinese have many guttural and -dental consonants which are very difficult to be pronounced by -foreigners. Their writing is in vertical columns, they make use of -similar writing implements to those of China and they use silk or the -bark of trees instead of paper. They have no taste whatever for art -and science. It is true they have poets and musicians who are fairly -successful in imaginative works. They have also made a certain amount -of progress in morality for which they have adapted the maxims in the -books of Confucius. They have teachers for all branches of -accomplishments but no school for scientific knowledge, and they have -only a very slight acquaintance with mathematics. - -The healing art is very imperfectly understood in Tonkin, experience -is their only guide, and the doctors combine their profession with -those of surgeon and apothecary. Their medical books on the -preparation of drugs are most vague in their principles. Cupping -glasses and caustics are used in obstinate cases only. The usual -medicaments are made from gums, roots and herbs. They cure fever, -eruptions, jaundice and small-pox by dieting and infusions. Certain -diseases are attributed to fogs and exhalations. Astrology bars the -way to medical progress, certain days are supposed to be unlucky, and -on these days the patient is allowed to suffer rather than that -medicines should be administered. Their skill in the arts is shown by -their articles of lacquer ware, porcelain, and in the smelting of -metals. - -The rivers and canals by which the country is intersected are -favourable to internal trade. Each town has its fairs and markets to -which many foreigners are attracted. But there is very little maritime -commerce, for the reason that their ships are too small to brave the -dangers of the stormy seas. Foreign imports are saltpetre, sulphur, -cloth, all sorts of woollen goods, spices, lead and guns. Foreign -currency only is used and no race is more skilful in the art of money -changing, as they are able to appreciate or depreciate the exchange -values at their pleasure. - -Trade would be in a flourishing condition if the Tonkinese were as -active as they are industrious, but, sunk into the slough of idleness, -they divide their time between sleeping and eating. When they are not -actually eating, they smoke, dance or sing. By a cowardly policy, the -government puts obstacles in the way of industry, the vassal States of -the Empire are excluded from any participation in sources of wealth. -The rapacity of the tax-gathers is an effectual check to competition, -as people are not anxious to spend their energies on work, the fruit -of which is reaped by others. The Tonkinese by nature a suspicious and -distrustful race are somewhat chary of the overtures of foreigners and -being too fearful of danger are unable to gain any advantage. The -legislative code of Tonkin has been borrowed from China, and the -administration of the law is in the hands of corrupt persons who -sacrifice the innocent poor to the guilty rich. Each provincial -governor is judge in his own province. Polygamy is the rule all over -Tonkin and no woman can boast of the title "wife." The bonds of these -unions or rather of this concubinage, are easily broken. The man gives -the woman a writing of divorcement which restores the woman to all her -rights. The woman cannot obtain divorce no matter whether she have -just grounds or no, and if she is convicted of adultery she is -condemned to be trampled to death by elephants. Her paramour dies by -another form of torture. The eldest son, after his father's death, -receives the whole of the estate and the paternal authority on -condition that he provides for his brothers until they are married. -The daughters have no share in the heritage. Other laws are similar to -those in force in other countries of the Indo-Chinese peninsula. Their -love of display is noticeable in their marriage feasts. Actors of both -sexes perform dances to the accompaniment of a big drum, and the -performance is followed by a concert given by hired musicians. Few -ceremonies take place without a show of cock-fighting on which -considerable wagers are laid. Girls are married at the age of sixteen -and seventeen years, and parental consent is required to make the -union legitimate. The brides see their husbands on their wedding day -for the first time and priests are excluded from the ceremony and the -festivities. - -Their funeral rites are the works of superstition, astrologers are -appointed to indicate the place of burial and the corpse is kept for -several months until some favourable omen indicates a suitable spot. -During this delay the relatives of the deceased offer the usual food -to the corpse as if it were still alive. It is kept in a room -illuminated by torches. Incense and gilt paper on which are painted -figures of various animals are burnt in its honour and the relatives -pay it a daily visit and prostrate themselves with every appearance of -woe. - -Those who accompany the funeral procession are dressed in coarse -garments and walk barefoot. They support themselves with sticks and -their slow tottering step is a sign of their grief. - -The nearest relative throws himself on the ground at intervals and the -corpse-bearers tread him under foot. The corpse is dressed in rich -attire and, as a safeguard against poverty in the next world, a piece -of gold and some pearls are placed in its mouth. On certain days in -the year offerings of food and incense are made at the tomb that the -dead may not lack support. - -Although many festivals are celebrated, it seems that they are all due -to religious influences. The most noteworthy is the feast of tombs, -which is celebrated on the anniversary of the death of the persons in -question and bountiful feasts are offered to them. The King and the -nobility celebrate their birthdays with great pomp, and their marriage -days with dances, concerts, and theatrical performances. At a certain -festival, the King followed by all his court, blesses the produce of -the soil. He drives the plough and makes several furrows as a tribute -to agriculture. There is another ceremony at which exorcisms are made -to rid the land of evil spirits. New year's day is an occasion of -great rejoicings. Booths are set up where men and women perform -dramatic pieces and sing to the accompaniment of the orchestra. -Everybody appears to be mad with joy and no business is transacted. -All work is at a standstill, the halls of justice are closed and the -seal of state is put away in its case. Criminals have no fear of -punishment during the feast. The license which reigns supreme during -this season exposes the women to outrage and they never appear unless -with an ample guard. - -The Monarch has but a semblance of real power, the commander-in-chief -is the real ruler and it is the latter whom the Europeans regard as -King. He has a large body-guard and is attended by a corps of 300 -elephants, whereas the actual king, buried in the obscurity of his -palace with his wife and children, is served by faithless menials who -act as spies on his movements. It is surprising that the -commander-in-chief allows the existence of this phantom ruler, but the -Tonkinese have such veneration for the master that it would be a -dangerous matter to attempt to supersede him. - -The commander-in-chief has usually a force of 150,000 infantry and -from 10,000 to 20,000 cavalry under his orders. Recruits are eager to -join the colours, but at the sight of the enemy their courage -evaporates and, as bravery is not one of their characteristics, they -are more ready to dig entrenchments than to make sorties therefrom. -The commander has no great confidence in his men, at least if we can -form an opinion from a letter written to the commander of the Dutch -forces in the Indies. - -"I have," he remarks, "300,000 infantry 10,000 cavalry, 2,000 -elephants, 30,000 musketeers and 1,000 pieces of artillery at my -disposal, I beg you to send 200 men and 3 ships to assist me." After -such a pompous display of the numbers under his command, one cannot -fail to draw the logical conclusion. - -The majority of the military positions of trust are confided to -eunuchs, enervated by the luxury of court life. Ability is not the -road to success, although the posts are not obtainable by bribery, all -of them are put up for sale to the highest bidder, because in a -kingdom of vast extent in which the eye of the ruler is unable to -penetrate the remotest parts, the grandees are always the sharers of -intrigue and never of the worth that hides itself in the shade. - -The whole strength of their united navy would be unable to hold its -own against one of our warships. - -Their men-of-war are flat vessels about 70 feet long, and 10 amidships -and can be used for coast defence only. The soldiers who are the -rowers are directed in their movements by the sound of a drum. - -The soldiery, scattered over the kingdom, is supposed to protect the -roads, but often by attacks on travellers, abuses the trust of the -governors to whom it is subordinated. In time of peace the soldiers -are armed with clubs which are formidable weapons in their hands and -they break the legs or thighs of those who resist or try to run away. - -All civil disputes are summarily disposed of by the magistrates. The -offender is obliged to offer meat and drink to the other party in the -suit so that their differences may be forgotten over the feast. The -creditor is absolute master of his insolvent debtors whom he can treat -with every indignity. Criminals are punished in proportion to their -crimes. Theft is not punished by death, but by the loss of a limb or -of some part of the body. Murderers are condemned to death by -decapitation. They are led to the scene of the crime or to their house -as a place of execution. If there are several criminals, there are -several executioners who on a given signal decapitate their victims -simultaneously. The Tonkinese are the least cruel people of the Indies -in the punishment of guilty persons. By law life may be bought at a -price, and only the poor actually suffer the extreme penalty. - -Although the eunuchs are objects of popular scorn, they have -considerable power, and as their misfortune smooths the path to -honours, it is often the case that self mutilation is practised by -ambitious men of advanced age without fearing the pain and _sequelae_ -of the operation. Their surgeons perform the operation skilfully, and -they have a method by which many accidents are avoided. The patient is -thrown into a deep sleep which lessens the shock of the operation, and -experience has shown that the torpid state induced, is a protection -against fever and inflammation which so often occurs after such -operations. - -At the age of 18 years every man is subject to a poll-tax in -proportion to his wealth. The magistrates, soldiers, and learned men -however are exempt and it is the poor man that bears the brunt of the -taxation as is usual in most countries. The taxes are collected after -the harvest and the inhabitants of the remotest parts of the kingdom -are forced to bring a certain quantity of fodder for the King's -elephants and horses to the store houses in the capital. Every man is -in addition obliged to work for six months on public works for which -he receives food but no salary. So great is the degradation of human -nature in these climates that the inhabitants, less privileged than -animals, seem only to exist on the earth for the purpose of watering -it with the sweat of their brows. - -The grandees and the learned follow the doctrines of Confucius, but -its precepts are too simple to be adopted by the common people who can -only behold the workings of a deity in the marvellous. The principal -belief is that of Fo which is divided into various sects, the most -widespread of which was founded by a China man named Lauro who is -revered as one of the greatest wonder-workers of the East. His -followers give out that his mother carried him in her womb for 70 -years without having lost her virginity. He boasted of his intimacy -with spirits who revealed the secrets of the future to him. The -priests, brought up in ignorance and superstition, attract the minds -of the populace by their fables and wonders. They live in extreme -poverty as they have none of the grandees for their disciples, and the -bounty of the common people is their only source of revenue. A certain -number of priests boast they can cure the most stubborn forms of -disease by means of charms. When summoned to the patient they make -their appearance in a most extraordinary manner in order to render the -performance more imposing. They make their exorcisms to the -accompaniment of drums, and trumpets. They jump about in the sick room -until the fate of the patient is decided either for death or life and -whenever the result proves the useless nature of their performance, -they have plenty of excuses ready for their non-success. - -In Tonkin the gospel-harvest has been more fruitful than in any other -of the lands of the Indies. The scorn of the great for the idolatrous -priests has contributed to the success of the Missionaries, who have -more than 200,000 converts in this kingdom of whom more than 15,000 -are under the charge of a French Missionary recently elevated to the -rank of Bishop of Agathopolis and who is assisted in his duties by -three French priests and four Chinese converts. - -I must here recapitulate the causes that ought to be favourable to the -success of this undertaking. The aim of the Seminaries of the Foreign -Missions is the establishment of a clerical order in all countries of -the world. Sacred history tells us that the Apostles and their -successors ordained priests among all nations that they converted. -People are always more ready to give credence to their fellow citizens -who are well known to them rather than to foreigners whose motives are -often to them questionable. The native priests know the language -better, are better preachers, make themselves better understood and -are more readily listened to in the explanation of the mysteries of -religion. Knowing the manners and customs of the country they are -acquainted with the best methods of combating the natural inclinations -of the people and know how to gain their confidence. All the local -superstitions are well known to them, and it is easy for them to point -out their absurdity and falsity. With all these advantages they can -fight against error and triumph over ungodliness. The hierarchical -order established by the seminary, can alone inculcate a perfect type -of Christianity that will have no further need for foreign -intervention on its behalf. - -Besides these general reasons there are particular reasons for the -Indies. The toils and dangers incurred in penetrating those distant -lands, the study of the Indian languages so difficult to learn and to -pronounce, the climate often deadly and always unpleasant to -foreigners, and the expenses of travelling, render the Indies -inaccessible to most of the priests and members of religious societies -who are zealous of making conquests for Jesus Christ. The incessant -wars that lay waste all the countries of the Indies do not allow the -missionaries to go from one country to another when needed to do so by -the church. Princes and people cannot understand their dogmas and -worship. The idolatrous priests cannot behold their gods trampled -underfoot without becoming enraged against men whom they consider -impious and sacrilegious. It is in these times of stress that the -flock has the greatest need of its pastor. Besides this in this Indies -the foreign priests can render no services to those who groan under -the sword of persecution. As soon as they appear, their complexions -and facial characteristics betray them and as soon as they are -recognised, they are haled off to durance vile. - -These eastern lands are of such wide extent and so densely peopled -that all the priests and members of the religious societies of Europe -would hardly be sufficient to instruct such vast multitudes. - -For these reasons the sovereign Pontiff has decided to appoint -Vicars-apostolic in order to form a national clergy for which the -interests of Religion and Politics demand the lasting prosperity. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Kingdom of Siam, by -Francois Henri Turpin - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF SIAM *** - -***** This file should be named 44564.txt or 44564.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/5/6/44564/ - -Produced by the volunteers of Project Gutenberg Thailand. -Proofreading by users emil, LScribe, rikker, wyaryan, -Saksith, ianh68, andysteve, Claudio, kaewmala, matt, Gyurme, -bencrowder. 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