BOOKS.

BOWEING'S stem.'

As we intimated last week, the Personal Journal of Sir John Bowring, and such remarks from personal knowledge as are mingled with his digests from other authors, form the freshest and most interesting parts of The Kingdom and People of Siam. Not that those sections of the book which are rather compiled than original have the air of compilation; on the contrary, they exhibit much freshness also. This characteristic is in a measure owing to the practised skill of Sir John; to his dexterity in seeing i the materials that answer his purpose, and a degree of boldness n select-. ing them. A common compiler would have been afraid of extract-. lug so largely, and in attempting to reproduce would have lost the freshness of the originals and missed some of the information. Few compilers either would have had the industry to examine or the means to procure so many volumes as Sir John Bowling has consulted about Siam. The accounts of the early travellers and the early embassies—the narratives of the many itomish priests employed in propagating the faith, especially a contemporary work of Bishop Pallegoix—the information collected or observed by the Protestant missionaries of our times—and the books or reports of his diplomatic predecessors, Crawfurd, Burney, Brooke, and the Americans Roberts and Bellistier—are all laid under contribution, together with the information of private acquaintance. The experience of Sir John—not so much in Siam, for his residence there was brief, as in the adjacent countries—is also used with advantage. It not only modifies the statements of the extracts when unlikely or changed by time, but drops in new information of his own.

The account of "Siam and its People" exhibits the subject in many points of view, sometimes with considerable elaboration ; and the publisher has done his part in a profuse illustration of the text, not so much artistical, as various, gorgeous, and strictly Siamese. The book opens with a graphic account of the geographical features of Siam, followed by an account of its history, after Pallegoix, not very interesting, from the questionable nature of the materials, the remoteness of the events, and the strangeness of the names; and to this history an approximate estimate of the population succeeds. Manners customs, superstitions, amusements are handled with some ful;iess, and form a very curious picture. " Legislation " is more properly law and customs ; the power of making laws being solely vested in the monarch, whose rower, however' . is checked in some eases by fundamental opinion or superstition. Natural productions, manufactures' and commerce, are not, we dare say, untruly described ; but a certain rose-coloured expectation of products and prosperity pervades them, which we fear will not be realized by any treaty so soon as its author thinks. "Language and Literature" are sufficiently treated for the purposes of most readers, but not so fully as might have been expected from so celebrated a Polyglot as Dr. Bowring. The truth 111 the time he could give was very little, and the language is very difficult. Not only is its alpheiet unrivalled, we suppose, for the number of its characters, but the meaning of words depends upon the tones of the speaker.

"The Siamese alphabet consists of twenty vowels, half-vowels, or diphthongs, and forty-four consonants. The forty-four consonants are divided into seven gutturals, six palatals, six linguals, six dentols, eight labials, and eleven half-letters, sibilants, and aspirates. * *

"There are no less than six tones in the language—the abrupt, the short, the long, the high, the low, and the middle. They have been compared to musical notes ; the abrupt, to a demi-semi-quaver ; the short, to a semiquaver. the long, to a double note ; the high, an ascent from sol to si; the low, a descent from sol to re, touching slightly the intermediate notes. But the printing types employed by the Siamese are not accompanied with accents in the European style. 'fhe French missionaries contend that, notwithstanding all these difficulties, a person by six months' application may understand common conversation and make himself understood , a• but Mr. Jones save that, from a want of attention to the inflections of the language, he has known 4 good proficieuta' expose themselves to ridicule and beun

intelligible for years. • • •

"In the following, the various meanings of the word khao are embarrassing enough: klifto bok khrio va klài krung kao mi klifio pen rfib khfio ml khao khio men khao klfin mai khao.' The translation is-4 It is reported that near the ancient capital there is a horn-shaped mountain with white rice, smelling so disagreeably that it cannot be eaten.'" The chapter on Religion contains a good account of actual Buddhism, and a striking picture of its genuine doctrines and principles as interpreted by Sir John Bowring. The historical coup d'osil of the Christian missions to Siam is dismissed with comparative brevity, though the sixty pages contain much matter, especially in reference to the probable conversion of the Siamese. A professional feeling induces the author to dwell at length on the attempts of the Western nations to establish diplomatic and commercial relations with the land of the White Elephant : this is by far the longest chapter in the work. Except an amount of what are called the dependencies of Siam, a notice of Bangkok the capital completes the exposition of "Siam and its People." For practical conclusions this is as important a chapter as any. The capital is the only part of the country seen by. Sir John, or indeed by most travellers ; and we suspect that Siam thus far resembles Paris and France inasmuch as Bangkok

is Siam. The interior appears to be thinly peopled, partially cultivated, and not indeed capable of cultivation until cleared and the inundations of the rivers regulated. It is this apparent condi

• The Kingdom arta People of Siam : with a lrarratire of the Mission to that eowntryt MSS. By Sir John Bowring, I.R.S., her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in Ching, In two volumes. Published by Parker and Son. tion of the country and the country-people that induces us to think some of the Siamese were right in their doubts as to any great immediate results from commercial treaties. No doubt, there is a surplus produce, the merchantable portion of which is taken by the Chinese, who form one-half of the inhabitants. The other would seem to be absorbed in the way of taxes. And if the reports of accumulated wealth in the palaces and temples are anything like the truth, the surplus in the form -of tribute must be considerable, when we consider what is spent on the splendours of the court with its First and Second Kings, and theirlarge domestic establishments. This is the account of the disposition of the surplus.

"The apartments of the females of the Royal Family are still farther in the interior of the palace. In these more secluded places, no leas than three thousand females are reputed to have their abode, among whom six hundred are called the wives or concubines of the King ; the remaining two thousand four hundred being either ladies charged with official functions within the palace, or slaves and attendants upon the persons of the King's harem. It is said,. there are beautiful gardens attached to the ladies' apartments; and there is a vast collection of treasures in gold, silver, precious stones, rich ornaments, and costly garments, distributed in various parts of the interior. There is, indeed, on every side evidence of great wealth; but it is difficult to form an estimate of the actual value of the royal treasure the amount of which is probably exaggerated by the general inaccuracy of Oriental description. I heard, for example, that every King at his succession deposited in the royal treasury a statue of Buddha of solid gold, and of the size of life ; and that there exist a great number of these golden statues collected within the palace. Even the dresses of the ladies must represent a large value—to say nothing of the quantity of jewels all of them wear as necklaces, ear-rings, finger-rings, belts, anklets, bracelets, and other ornaments."

The Personal Journal of Sir John contains the record of his observations, reflections, hopes,. and fears, during the month (24th March to 25th April 1855) in which he was diplomatically engaged negotiating the treaty with Siam. Although his expressions are modest and guarded, it is easy to see that his hopes are high and his exultation considerable. From the difficulty of changing the course of trade, the habits of a people, and the natural condition of a country, we fear the commercial results will not be so rapid and important as the ambassador supposes. He is quite entitled to exult at his diplomatic success ; for he has got far beyond all his predecessors, not only in the terms he has obtained, but in the character of the personal intercourse he established with the Kings, Princes, and Ministers at Bangkok. In these results, however, the ambassador was greatly assisted by changes that lapse of time has produced, and by the individual characters of the First King and his brother : for although two monarchs would not seem an essential principle of Siamese policy, there are now two reigning Kings ; the functions of the second, if he has functions independent of his brother, being martial matters. These two princes were the rightful heirs to the throne, being sons of their father's chief wife ; but their elder brother' being a man of resolution, intrigue, and action, got possession of the throne on the death of the father. The present First King then retired to a Buddhist monastery, devoting himself to celibacy and study. He became so eminent for his religious knowledge that he was appointed "President of the Board of Examiners into the proficiency of the priesthood" in Pali the sacred language. He acquired Latin from the Romish, English from the American missionaries. He also studied the natural sciences, and has got so far in astronomy as to calculate an eclipse. His brother, the Second King, is also a good English scholar, speaking the language fluently, as well as a student of science. Several officers about the court have been to England, and various adventurers speak English ; so that it is likely to become a fashionable language at Bangkok, especially if the country is represented by proper consular officers, and (what we fear is not very probable) that mercantile mariners behave themselves properly. Neither are Anglican fashions confined only to language. The ambassador thus describes the private apartments of the First King.

Ile took me to his private apartments, ornamented with beautiful pendules and watches, statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, handsome barometers, thermometers, &c. He then led me through two or three small chambers, where were fine specimens of Chinese porcelain services, and other costly decorations. Almost everything seemed English. There were many new books on the shelves. The King spoke of the history of Siam, and said it was rather obscure and fabulous, but that the more veracious portion went back about five hundred years ; that the Siamese alphabet had been introduced about that time. Inscribed on the apartments to which his Majesty had conducted me, were the words Royal Pleasure' in English, and in Sanserit characters with the same meaning."

The Second King was equally English ; and he appears naturally, to have been a more sensible man, and to have really profited more by his studies : the First King, sooth to say, seeming to have a love of display, besides exhibiting a touch or two of what is called cramming. Here is a partial account of two interviews with the Second King, one public and ceremonial, the other private. "The interview with the Second King took place today. The arrangements equally gorgeous and striking, and in most respects resembling the ceremonials of yesterday ; but there was a higher tone of civilization and

better knowledge of European customs exhibited. • • • •

"We were first conveyed to the hall outside the inner walls of the palace, where coffee, cigars, and the purest water were brought ; and we waited the King's order, airing the novel and extraordinary scene around us. At last the messenger announced that we were expected in the hall of publics reception. The tom-toms beat their tune, and very agreeable reed-music accompanied us. The nobles who preceded us threw themselves down and crwsied upon all-fours into the hall, while land my suite walked up through the centre of the apartment, all clad in full uniform and bearing our swords, amidst multitudinous prostrate nobles, to the head of the hall, where a cushion was prepared for my reception. I bowed thrice to the King, and then seated myself a Is Turque upon, the floor. One of the high nobles announced the objects of my mission., after which, I read an address to the King, conveying my sentiments of respect, announcing the settlement of the treaty, and expressing my hope and belief that a good work had been done for Siam, for my country and mankind. His Majesty made many inquiries about the Queen and the Royal Family—her age, the number of her children, whether she had gone to Paris to meet the Emperor Louis Napoleon. -He inquired the names and offices of all the persons present,—wished to know the state of the health of the crews on board the ihip,, as he said the Americans, when their fleet was here, had suffered much. Our answers were recorded by the Court scribes. He hoped, as I was an old man, that I had borne the fatigues and the heat of the season well, and was satisfied with ray reception here. He said he had not yet seen the treaty, and inquired whether I was contented with its conditions ; asked when the steamer would leave ; and I answered, Immediately after the signature of the treaty ' ; —how long I should stay ; and I replied, 'Only a few days, as I had work to do in China.' He had nothing on his head, nor did I observe any covering; nor were his garments equal in splendour to those of the First King. He sent cigars and fresh water, and desired we would supply ourselves from his own box, which was a beautiful piece of workmanship in gold. He rose, and the curtains were drawn, and music again broke forth. We remained a short time saluting our acquaintances, who did not stand up till we left the

hall. • • •

"In the evening, went to a private audience with the Second King. lie is a sensible, quiet, and amiable person, who, from prudence and policy, (more, it is said, than from any other cause,) takes little part in pubhc affiurs. We found all the way from the water-side to the palace matted. Ilia own apartments are convenient, tastefully fitted up, and, except from the suspended punkah and the great height of the rooms, the furniture and ornaments would lead you to believe you were in the house of an English gentleman. His conversation, in excellent English, is cultivated and agreeable. He has a well-selected library of English books, a considerable museum of mechanical instruments, with models of late improvements in many of the departments of science, excellent sextants and quadrants, miniature screwsteamers, and a variety of modern weapons. Music played during the whole evening, and I was much struck with the sweetness of an instrument composed of the reeds of bamboo—the central reeds above seven feet long. The King played upon it, and afterwards presented it to me. A favourite child, named l?ia, was present. His Majesty said he had about twenty children ; the eldest, named George, a clever young gentleman of eighteen. We saw the mother of Pia looking in at the door and watching the child at play. The latter was richly adorned with gold and jewels, but stained our white trousers with the yellow turmeric with which her body was covered. The King said ships could be built in Siam for 10/. a ton. He is now building a clipper of seven hundred tons burden for the China trade, which was not a prosperous one last year, in consequence of the dangers to which the junks have been exposed by pirates. "His Majesty wished to send a present to the Queen, and desired to know and to see what the First King meant to forward. I could only say that it was not desirable that anything of a costly character should be given, but any little memorial characteristic of Siam would, I doubted not, be welcomed and acknowledged." Nor were the characters of the Kings the only advantages. The Prime Minister is an able, enlightened, and patriotic man, capable of apprehending the truths of political economy, though slow to resolve upon applying them to Siam. Other magnates possessed more or less of patriotism, enlightenment, or English learning, or followed the Court fashion. It would therefore appear that the difficulties were not great in obtaining a treaty whose chief terms amounted to these. That a consul should be received ; that Englishmen should be permitted to reside at Bangkok, or to acquire property and settle in the country, under certain regulations; and that duties should not be levied on the ship but on the cargo. The difficulty lay less in the terms than in the principles involved in a treaty at all. The Siamese policy is not exclusive like the Chinese ; perhaps the Siamese are not more chary in receiving strangers than any other people beyond the Ganges, though our conquests in India may have created suspicions. The great obstacle was the various influential interests opposed to the practice of free trade. Siam was the Paradise of Protectionists. '.[he whole commerce would appear to have been monopolized, or, more properly, farmed. It has been seen that the Second King was building a ship and engaged in commercial adventures. The First King had also foreign undertakings, and most of the great men were connected with trading affairs, either directly by means of agents, or by disposing of their privileges in a particular commodity to traders, mostly if not always Chinese. Hence the difficulties of the ambassador and of the King and Prime Minister were great ; the obstacles Peel had to overcome in repealing the Corn-laws were comparatively nothing to the Siam obstacles. These difficulties, ever present to the ambassador's mind, account for the frequent misgivings noted in his Journal, from what seemed to be slight causes, unless the real state of things is kept in view. They justify his feelings on the signature of the treaty, and explain the hopes with which he hails the future.

"April 18.—This morning, Dr. Bradley called to see us. The Prince Krom Hluang had been with him to say the restricting proclamations had been withdrawn, in consequence of my interference. The missionaries have warmly expressed their obligations to me.

"The treaty was signed today. We went to the Somdetch's at eleven o'clock, and were occupied four hours in signing and sealing, correcting a few slight matters in the English, for we steadily refused to recognize the Siamese. We had refreshments as usual, but the time passed somewhat wearily. The great seals were brought with some ceremony, being in boxes coveted with gold-embroidered cloth. When the first copy was completed, a signal was given to the Rattler from the Somdetch flag-staff; and I truly rejoiced when I heard the first gun of a salute of twenty-one, which was responded to by a similar number from the fortifications. Soon after, the Rattler was under weigh for Paknam, the Siamese and British colours flying at her mast-head, and her rigging gaily decorated with flags. The day has to me been indeed a delightful one, and I hope it will prove pregnant with many blessings."

We hope so too : but, looking at the industrial and economical condition of the country, and the fact that the treaty was obtained through the power and influence of a few men in advance of their time, and acting in diametrical opposition to the pecuniary interests of very powerful bodies in the community, we ought not to be very sanguine. We trust, however, should the effects of

this treaty not satisfy the expectations of those who expect unreasonably, that a failure from causes deeply seated in national peculiarities ankthe physical condition of the country will not be made an excuse for further meddling and possibly a little war with Shun.