The Times of Wednesday gives an apposite account of the
river Mekong, which, rising in Tibet, flows down the Indo- Chinese peninsula, dividing it into two unequal parts. After leaving Chinese territory, the river flows through one of the Shan States, which, though under the suzerainty of Burma, is "at present administered by the Chinese." Below this point the river turns sharply to the left, and flows for a time almost at a right-angle to its former course, until it reaches the much-debated town of " Luang-Prabaaig," whence it again flows south. At Luang-Prabang is a golden idol of Buddha, 3 ft. high, made, it is said, out of local gold. The place is very unhealthy, and the consumption of quinine by the Siamese soldiers enormous. The next point of importance on the river is Kien-Khan, where another turn towards the east is made. Thence it is navigable, or semi-navigable, for the rapids and the sandbanks still make it very difficult going for ships.
Previous page
