The Bangkok Recorder.

A Semi-monthly Journal, will be issued from the printing office of the American Missionary As- sociation, at the month of the Canal, "Klawng Bang- kok Yai" about 1st and 15th of every month. It will contain much Political, Literary, Scientific, Com- mercial, and Local Intelligence, as shall render it worthy of the general patronage.

The Recorder will be open to Correspondents subject to the usual restrictions.

The proprietors will not be responsible for the sentiments of their correspondents.

No communications will be inserted unless ac- companied by the name of the Correspondent.

No rejected manuscript will be returned unless as a special favor.

Half Yearly: 4.50

Quarterly: 2.25

Extra Copies to Subscribers: 0.30

""Nom. do. 0.45

First Insertion—Ten lines or half a square, and under, One Dollar.

Each additional tine, Five Cents.

Subsequent insertions, Seventy Five Cents, for ten lines,

and each additional line, Five Cents.

Advertisers must be particular to specify the number of insertions.

Standing advertisements as per Contracts.

Communications and remittances can be sent to either of the subscribers, or left at the store of Messrs. Virgin & Co.

FOR THE BANGKOK RECORDER.

In a former article I incidentally refered to the oil regions in some parts of the United States, and suggested that oil might possibly he found in Siam, but by doing so I have apparently got myself into a difficulty; for it seems to be taken for granted by those in authority, that I ought also to be able to point out exactly where oil may be found. This however is much more than I bargained for, and is far beyond my ability.

When I left the United States the oil business was in its infancy, and I have never had the pleasure of visiting the oil regions. It will be perceived therefore, that my knowledge of those regions, except so far as received through newspapers is rather limited.

It appears that Petroleum was first col- lected in those regions, in small quantities, as it oozed from the crevices of the rocks. Sometimes it was found floating upon the surface of the water, and lifted with a com- mon skimmer, or with a wooden cloth, which was laid upon the water, and when it became saturated with oil, it was rung out into a vessel Holes were also dug in the sand on the edge of the rivers, and when filled with water, the oil was collected from the surface.

The idea was then conceived of sinking wells in these neighborhoods, which has proved eminently successful. In regard to the external appearance of the oil regions in Virginia. I quote from a correspondent of the New York papers, "This is indeed a remarkable region. Although of rough exterior it presents inexhaustible fountains of wealth within. Every where around me are unmistakable evidence of the vast wealth, which lies so long rotted beneath.

these rugged hills, and sharply defined valleys. Nature has indeed been bountiful in this particular region. She has scattered her treasures with a large and prodigal hand. These wild lands which a few years ago, were considered comparatively worth- less, so much so indeed, that the more acres a man possessed, the poorer he con- sidered himself, are now at fabulous prices. Wildly distorted strata, and impenetrable forests, now command the prices of gold- bearing quartz, and forests of rosewood."

It will also be perceived that Petroleum is no new thing, but has only been discov- ered in larger quantities, and applied to different purposes. Upon this point I also quote from the correspondence of another New York paper.

"The name Petroleum means Rock Oil. This indicates its place in the earth. True, it flows from the earth, sometimes floats on ponds or lakes, comes out in springs, is found in some rocks, and is distilled from bituminous coal. It used to be collected on Seneca Lake, and was called Seneca oil. The writer has some which was taken from that Lake more than fifty years ago, and is precisely like that from the oil regions of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and other States. Yet it is not a new thing—for it was known and used on the Eastern Continent before the Christian era. It has excited new interest from its abundance and from its new and extensive uses. Its exportation from our country is prodigious, a real era in the trade.

Petroleum is a real chemical compound, formed of carbon and hydrogen, or a true hydro-carbon. Several compounds of these two elements exist together in it. Its con- version by heat into illuminating gas is well known. This is a gaseous hydro-car- bon; Petroleum is a liquid hydro-carbon, as is naptha also; and bitumen is a solid hydro-carbon. Such vast quantities flow from the oil wells that people cannot but inquire, How is it produced? Though chemists and geologists of high character for knowledge, believe this oil results from chemical action, upon either vegetable or animal matter buried in the earth, or upon both, they have not shown its production, or what it the matter acted on, and how the action is carried on. All agree that it seems to be connected with coal fields, where were imbedded immense quantities of vegetable substances."

The annual products of the oil regions have within the last four years become al- most marvellous. The great iron, and coal mines of Pennsylvania, produce annu- ally about $51,000,000. The gold regions of California, in her palmiest days, only gave to commerce about $50,000,000, but the oil regions of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia, although embracing but a small ex- tent of territory, surpasses either of the above by at least $5,000,000.

Oil has also been discovered in Southern Ohio, in New York, and in Canada. A productive well has also been found within a league of the city of Mexico, and produces oil so pure, that all the refining it needs, is to be strained through a cloth. The New Emperor Maximilian therefore, whatever else he may need, will not want for oil.

As to the true nature of the oil wells of Burmah, we have not been correctly in- formed. It is said however that they have been yielding bountifully for some years, but how long they would stand steam pumping, as some of the wells in the United States are pumped, it would be difficult to tell. We presume however that the oil of Burmah is the same as that in the United States, and we see no reason why it may not yet be found in Siam.

THE CITY OF DREAMS.

Could we move forward the wheels of time a century, I fancy a journey to the Lao country would be far different from what it is now. The account of it then, might run somewhat as follows. "Took the morning train from Bangkok, and after a delightful ride up the banks of the Menam we dined at Nakawn-Sawan, and. stopped at Rahang. Then taking a sleeping car in the night train, we found ourselves in the morn- ing after a pleasant night's rest at Chieng Mai."

With the improvements going on in the other portions of the world and even in Siam, we may not say that this is either impossible or improbable. Should the dream of the fancy ever prove a reality, it will be a very agreeable one to those who will have the journey to make. Such a one would, I have no doubt, compare very favorably in ease and comfort, as well as speed, if not in romance, with the ones taken in the "Matri- monial" when newly fitted up for the oc casion.

But in the absence of the carriage train drawn by the "Iron horse" with lightning speed, the Matrimonial was probably about as good a substitute as we could have had. Its bottom being very flat and its draught consequently light, it can make its way among the innumerable shallows of the river, as it widens instead of contracts in some portions of its upward course, where few other boats of its capacity can navigate. Its motion too is so steady that you are not always fearful that some unavoidable change of position will destroy the centre of gravity and give serious apprehensions of an im- promptu bath. The first tour that I made in Siam, was in a run yuan whose motions were as hidden as those of a Scotch terrier, and harder to be calculated for beforehand than were the freaks of the great Scottish theologian's horse. But to my narrative.

After a hurried preparation I started in company with a missionary friend on the 20th of November, 1863. The current against which we had to make headway at that season of the year was exceedingly strong, thus rendering our progress corres- pondingly slow.

With the exception of a little variety, made by passing successive]y the towns of Angtawng, Prome In, Chainat, and Ma- norom, and a beautiful view of the setting sun from the summit of Mount Terrama- moon, and some large birds which our fowl- ing piece obtained, we had but little to break up the monotony of the way as far as Nakawn-Sawan. The high banks on which it is situated led us to hope that we would soon have more variety in the scenery along the river. In this, however, we were disappointed, as the banks are so low and the country so flat about Kamp'eng P'et, and thence towards Rahaang, as they are about Bangkok.

After taking the left fork at Nakawn-Sa wan, the ground was comparatively new to foreigners. Besides Sir Robert Schomburgh and his party, we knew of only a few others who had preceded us. It was here that the novelty of our trip began. As yet our oars had been sufficient to propel our boat. But on entering the Rahaang fork it refused to go forward when all the boatmen had laid on a "heavy hand," For several minutes no perceptible progress was made except a little like the Irishman's, backwards. We neared the right bank a little, in order to prepare our poles, which we had takes the precaution to procure. There are bamboos about twenty feet in length, with an iron fork on the end. The water was rushing by with fearful rapidity. After a few mo- ments rest, we started off on our new ex- periment. But our men made awkward work of it for awhile, and the boat refused to heed the new power brought to bear on it. Hoping to improve s little we made for the opposite bank, but drifted considerably in crossing. If any thing it was worse there. We found we were drifting rapidly down the stream, when we seized the bushes and trees on the shore, to see what distance we had made. In short we seemed to be completely nonplused. Was there an in- superable barrier between us and Chieng- Mai! We looked blank at each other for a few moments, and laughed at our new misfortunes. But what had been done. could be done again. So after we had chowed, and rowed, and pulled and pushed and poled, we despatched a man on shore with a long rope to tow us ont of our diffi- culty. Just then too we were informed for our encouragement by one who professed to know the road, that it would reach Rahaang in a month, and as for Chieng-Mai, that was in the distant future. But our last exper- iment succeeded, and after about three hours of hard work, we turned a point but little more than a half mile from our starting place, and were pleased to find but few places where the current was so strong as just at the fork.

I have purposely dwelt longer on this point than it might otherwise seem to deserve, as a correct understanding of this river and its freaks, were it possible, would he one of the best preparations for this trip. But it would be he difficult for one who had newer traveled it, to understand its capricious pranks, as it is for one who had, to forget them. We were often reminded of the expressive description of it that— who had been up before us, gave, "that it was certainly a very peculiar river" Its bot- tom is a bed of everchanging sand. This sand keeps the water continually turbid, and it is ever boiling up, as if from innumerable whirlpools. It means continually seeking but never finding a permanent resting place, and the constant changes of its particles changes the channel of the river. Following what had recently been its bed, one side of the boat runs against a sand bar, putting your pole down on the other side you find no bottom! Your only chance then, is to drift off and make for the opposite side of the river, but there you are at the mercy of a merciless current, which leads you often a quarter of a mile or more farther back. This is an invariable process that must be repeated at every bend. But still by dint of perseverance we made good progress. In two days and a half, we reached Muang Ban Pot, and began to have intimations that Kamp'aang Phet, could be made in a few more. It was on a Saturday evening when it began to appear, as the mountains which had been before us, near which we thought it was situated, disappeared. We spent the Sabbath in the town, which has several thousand inhabitants. We had a great many visitors who came from curiosity, as well as to receive books, of which we dis- tributed a great number. Leaving there on Monday morning we were led to hope that Rahaang the first terminus of our voyage, where we were to leave our boat, would be seen in three days more. The river is there divided up into many channels made by little islands, amid which we had to snake our way as best we could. Our men by this time have become a little better accquainted with the changes, and can calculate some- what where the next bend will leave the channel. With the exceptions of the islands and a few little hills, one of which rising just from the water, resembles some of our Phet- chaburee mountains, we had but little change of scenery all the way. The first portion of the way from Nakawn Sawan, our course was more North than West. The latter portion was nearly N. West. Wednesday night found us in sight of our long looked for stopping place, though we did not reach there till the afternoon of Thursday, being the twenty seventh day, (Sunday's except- ed) from Bangkok. Here you must leave us for the present to make preparations for our overland route thence to Chiang-Mai.

FOR THE BANGKOK RECORDER.

This seems to be a wonderful day in the history of our adopted country—or perhaps more properly a day of wonderful things. The long sleep—the unbroken lethargy under which Siam has so long been resting seems quite at an end. Thought is waking up—-the people are becoming reative and are beginning to doubt and question con- cerning some things which for centuries have been more firmly established, if pos- sible, than "the laws of the Medes and Persians.” With the more intelligent part of the people, there is an almost painful thirsting for a change of some kind—— whether it is their habits of life, their cus- toms of society or their Religion—they, themselves appear undecided ; but smooth as the surface may appear to the careless observer, the more attentive cannot but decide that the waters beneath are greatly troubled and that this is a period in the history of the country pregnant with great results. What these results shall be is a question which should be carefully con- sidered by every educated man and parti- cularly by every philanthropist in the country.

I almost imagine that the King himself must sit rather uneasily on his throne, at times, when he stops to consider the changes that are going on daily around him. "His great ship of state" glided smoothly and steadily along while the custom of former ages was its only chart— the Buddhist Religion, its guiding star and His Majesty's sovereign will its compass. But a new sea has opened up before him, and shoals and reefs and breakers are there, which were entirely unknown to that old chart—the present surroundings are vastly different from what they were a half a century ago, and His Majesty must feel, that to sail safely and happily, his chart must be "revised and improved"—his polar star must be carefully examined to be sure that it is the true one, and his compass must be brushed and polished, and its magnetic needle guarded with daily and hourly care, lest possibly its polarity may be affected by outside influences, and the great good of the ship be sacrificed to other less important ends.

A commerce has been opened up between this and the other nations of the earth, and now the reigning monarch of Siam, must not only be a "father to his own people," but he must be a step Father to all the world beside ; and perhaps no monarch on the face of the earth, needs more wisdom to guide, and more strength of character to execute, that which his wisdom may see to be best in all cases, than the present King of Siam. With a limited knowledge of Foreign Languages and customs, he is expected to "become all things to all men"—he is expected to guard against the smallest offence in his intercourse with men, as well as to guard against the great breaches of national etiquette, which other nations—he is expected to give heed to all the fulsome flattery of the selfish sycophant, as well as, to the wise and honest hints of true friends for the good of the country. It may safely be presumed that the future greatness of Siam, will be much affected by a few years just now, but she is taking her position, and becoming known among the nations of the earth; and what that position is to be, is future. His Majesty's friends and advisers at pres- ent, can hardly be small: aids in deciding.

Then, just at this crisis, where are the real friends of the country? Where are His Majesty's "friends tried and true" who are willing to take up the people's cause, and lay out their strength for the people's wel- fare and help them, at once, to rise in civilization and become known as an in- dustrious and energetic people?

Post-offices, Telegraphs, Rail-roads and Light houses are all good things, and their introduction into the country will be hailed with pleasure by every one interested in the country's prosperity; they will add much to the pleasure, ease and convenience of the "Foreign Residents" in Siam, but will any one of them, or will they all put together, be worth one single farthing, as far as either the mental or moral elevation of the people is concerned! No! the people need a different kind of improvements.— They need a good permanent “Savings Bank” where every man who chooses may deposit his fuang, salung or tical per week, and feel assured that it is safe there for him against a time of want.

They need an Agricultural society with the stimulant of Fairs, premiums &c. &c. They need a Temperance society, with its meetings, speeches, banners &c. &c. all of which would be wholesome recreations and pastimes; and they need good schools, good school-books and a good newspaper in their own Language.

There are those who will say that this is all visionary and that the writer is an enthusiast and dreamer—that the time for these things has not yet come in Siam. Well, Be it so. We have two newspapers now, and even dreamers may tell their dreams, and the enthusiast his wild con- jectures. A year ago, the sceptical said that the time had not yet come for news- papers in Siam, but see, how they were mistaken! Every thing must have a be- ginning, and sometimes a very small and discouraging beginning it has; but is that a good reason why earnest, sensible men should be still, and let Siam take her posi- tion and become known among the nations of the earth, in its present degraded condi- tion! Today, is always the best time to make a good work and here is no La- fayette to come to the help of suffering Siam! The King shows a commendable willingness to adopt whatever he believes to be for the good of his people, then who will take up the subject of Savings' Bank, and lay it in all its importance, before the King and Officials of Government! Some one should do this, who understands the internal machinery of such an Institution, and who could not only show its importance and advantages, but could also explain the necessary charter, Laws, regulations, &c.; and this not in the English Langrage, which is but imperfectly understood, but in their own.

Why is it that there is so great a pro- portion of this people mere idlers, gamblers and drunkards! Simply and solely be- cause they have no inducement to work. The great wonder is that so many work, rather than that there are so many idlers. In a country like this, it is an easy thing to get enough to eat, and why should a man wish to make any thing more!—If he has a master—his master will be sure to manage in some way, to get any extra change that he may make—if he has no master, his dearest and best friend will borrow it for just a few days, when both parties ought to know that it will never be paid;—if he tries to put it away in his own possession, there is nothing much more certain than that it will be stolen, so the quickest way to save all farther trouble is to enjoy it in opium smoking, drinking, gambling or cock-fighting! But let a good permanent Saving’s Bank, for the people, be established by the authority of the King and nobles, and let them encourage the people, to put their little savings away in it, and let the people feel assnred that it is not only their safe, but on a yearly increase and that no one but themselves, or those with authority from themselves, can draw it, and could not a single year tell of great results among the people?

Has "The Bangkok Recorder" not a "right hand man" who will take this mat- ter into consideration and see what can be done "for the people." And when he suc- ceeds in turning the channel of this stream —that is in taking these savings out of the drinking and gambling shops, and putting them into a Bank, and thus encouraging industry, sobriety and economy, his name will deserve a far higher place in the his- tory of Siam, than the name of Napoleon in that of France, or of Washington in that of America.

A TRANSLATION.

The names of Temples, villages and cities, in the Kingdom of Siam, are derived from three sources viz- Sanskrit, Siamese and Cambodian. The names which the people generally use, are spoken according to the idiom of the Siamese language, and are short and easily spoken; but the names used in the Court language, that is in Government do- cuments, which receive the Government sea, are generally of Sanskrit derivation, and apt to be be long: even though the San- skrit names are in full length, the people are prone to speak them incorrectly.

Some Cities and Temples have two and often three names, being the ancient and modern names, as they are used in the Court language, or that of the people.

The present city of Bangkok, was form- erly a chief Province of Siam, called Ton- buree, a Sanscrit name. When written according to the teacher of Sanskrit, in the Roman character, Dhanapuri, but if writ- ten according to the Siamese sound, it could not be well read. This is the name used in all the Royal documents, but in common parlance it is called Bangkok.

Sometimes the Sanskrit name for Bang- kok is abridged, and made to compete with the name of the Province of Non, by which it is bounded on the North.

The Province of Non, if it be called ac- cording to Court language, would be Nant'a- buree written according to Sanskrit, and it Romanized, according to the teacher of Romanizing, it would be Nondapuri; but if written in full it would be Nont'buri Sri Maha S.mudd: and the Sanskrit name of Bangkok written in full would be Dhana- puri Sri Maha Samudd, but the common people universally call the former province Talat K'wan, and the latter Bangkok; while the class a little more elevated call the former Non, and the latter T'on.

It is only in Court language, and in Royal documents, that the names are written in full, which could not be well used in com- mon parlance.

At the present city of Bangkok, in an- cient times from the site of the palace of the second King, down to the site of the palace of H. R. H. Krom Hluang Wongsa, there was no river,—it was a level field. The river turned to the right, opposite the pe- lace of the second King, and flowed in the present channel of the Bangkok-Noi, sweep- ing round to the westward towards the temple now called Keelek; thence turning Southerly at Taling-Ch'an and coming out into what is now called Klwang Bangkok- Yai, which empties into the river at the up- per Fort, just below the residence of H.R. H. Krom Hluang Wongsa.

At that time it was a day's journey, by the river for oared boats, to row from the palace of H. R. H. Krom Hlaung Wongsa, to that of the second King, but the actual distance between the two places was so short, that the natives after spending nearly all the day in rowing, have often walked from the one to the other, for their rice pots which they had left behind, and returned with them in time to cook supper.

Near the upper fort, there was also the mouth of a creek, which commenced at, or near the old palace of the third King, (on the west side of the present river, nearly opposite to the palace of the second King) which took a long sweep to the westward into the fields, then turned in a southerly direction. The lower mouth of this canal was called Bangkok-Yai, the upper Bang- kok-Noi, the space between was called Bangkok.

The word Bang means, canal, or creek. The upper end of the creek and the lower are both called Bangkok (that is, the generic name is in both cases alike ). Th name union of the generic and specific name may be seen the common way of speaking of the two ends of other canals ; for example—the Paklet canal and the Bang-k'rai canal. The former is called Paklet the upper, and Paklet the lower— The latter where it opens into the River (above Bangkok) is called Bang-k'rul the outer, and the mouth opening into Bang- kok-noi river, is called Bang-k'rui the inner. So it is in regard to Paklet canal ( which crosses a big-bend of the river north of Bangkok) the upper end being called Pakkret the upper, and the lower Pakkret the lower.

It was in the reign of Maha-Chakra-P'atdi (the 16th Siamese king) that the king was pleased to have a large canal excavated, connecting the two places called Bangkok- yai and Bangkok-Noi, causing the main body of the river to flow in this new channel. He caused also small fortifica- tions to be made at each of the two places. Just as in the reign of Prabat Somdetch P'ra Poot'a-lot-la Nop'a-lie when the king made the canal which crosses the neck of the big bend at the city Nak'awn K'uan-k'an Now Nak'awn is Sanskrit, and K'uan-K'an is Siamese. The latter only may be written to express it. This place is simply Paklet.

Having made fortification, at the lower extremity of the new canal at Bangkok, king Maha-Chakra-P'atdi gave it the name of T'onburee.

Now concerning the digging of that canal, though it was done more than 800 years ago, there is good reason to believe that it is a fact. In not the present chan- nel of the river (from the palace of the second king to that of H. R. H. Krom Hluang) narrower, than the river imme- diately above and below? This part is only 520 feet wide, not 650 feet. When this new channel was finished, the waters of the river flowed through it, and abandoned its old course, around the big -bend which hence gradually filled up, (by the earthy sediment of its sluggish waters ) in some parts full one half, in others less. When we follow the old channel and examine it, we find that one of the banks of it is high, the other low, having the form of a curve channel throughout. When this old chan- nel had thus been changed, the two ex- tremities of it still continued to be called Bangkok-Noi, and Bangkok-Yai, that is the upper end of it was called Bangkok Noi, and the lower end Bangkok-Yai, ac-

cording to the original names.

Now let us examine the Bangkok-Yai extremity, on the upper side of it by the fort at Dr. Bradley's, on the lower side ot Tonburee, the bank is elevated because it was the old bank of the river; but on the lower side of it, at Kaddee Cheen, it is low, because it is land made by the natural ac- tion of the old river.

This difference in the two banke, con- tinues to be observable until got come be- yond temple Sang-kra-chai, where the course ot the old channel is changed. From temple Bang-ye-rua, the low bank is on the north side, opposite the temple.

Again examine the location of the old temple, that were erected on what used to be, the high bank of the old channel, from the mouth of Bangkok-Yai to temple Sang-kra-chai. On the low back at Kadee Cheen, there wae to temple, because it was then occupied by the river. The first temple you come to on that side of the old abannel is called Dawk-Mei, the next is called Yai, and than temple Noi, and temple Sang-kra-chai. These temples were anciently situated on the high bank of the river-chan- nel, but are now temples in the fields. When you come to temple Bang-ye-rua, you find an old temple on the bank of the present channel, which is at was in ancient time.

But on the same bank, further inward are the temples Dea-duat and Chow-Moon, which in ancient days must have been on the banks ot the river, but are now inland.

The canal, at the mouth of which there is a Custom house, is the ancient and true Bang Hluang canal. In ancient times the Bangkok-Yai was as large as the present Bangkok-noi creek. But as it was nigh the city Tonburee, the people built their houses so made dikes encroaching upon it, that it gradually narrowed to its present dimensions. And at length the people, see- ing it to be a smaller body of water than Bangkok-noi creek, came to think that it was not therefore proper to call it Bang- kok-Yai (the large Bangkok) and as it had become of equal size with Bang Hluang creek (and continuone with it) they saw fit to call it all by the name Bang Hluang. But a multitude of persone acquainted with the former state of the matter, say that the name Bang Hluang, was given to that part of it which anciently was called Bangkok- Yai became Phya-Taksin erected his palace on the present site of Prince Krom Hluang Wongsa, which was called Wang Hluang (the royal palace). Phya-Taksin, driving off the original settlers on the banks of the Bangkok-Yai near his palace, gave the lots to his princes and oftioers of government whom he wisjed to have near him. And persons passing that way, were required to take particular heed to themselves on account of its being a thoroughfare near the king's palace. For these reasons the came to be called Klawng Hluang or Bang-Hluang ; This may be illustrated by the fact that in the reign of Phya Taksin all the Tachus Chinese, were called Cheen Hluang ( royal Chinese) because they were Chinese of the same Province as Phya Taksin himself. But in all government documenes of that period, the creek now improperly called Bang-Hlaung was calls Bangkok-Yai. There can be found no instance of its having baen otherwise denominated. The only Klawng Bang Hluang originally mentioned is that creek at the Temple Paknam, ( near the Custom House at the mouth of the creek leading to Mahachei.) All the creek be- tween that and the present river was called Bangkok Yai.

A visit to the Pra pra-t'omr-chedee

We started so early from the town of Nakawn-chei-ee, that we had scarcely a glimpse of the place. It is but a small village, awd would have but little impor- tance; were it not the seat of government for one of the most important Provinces in Siam.

The Pră prà-t’ômă-chêdée is very near- ly due west from Nakawn-cheisée, a dis- tance of 300 sens, by Siamese measurement which is nearly equal to seven and a half English miles. It is reached by a canal of the same size and straightness, as the one described in the preceding article, and the country through which it passes, very much like that we described there, being a per- fect level prairie, with but here and there a small forest tree. Those parts near the canal were generally occupied for the growth of rice, some of which looked as if it would turn out a good yeild, on the slopes of the canal-banks (now as the water is low) there are very pleasant look- ing patches of maize, onions, turnips, rad- ishes, lettince, mustard &c.

This canal was excavated about five years ago, doubtless for the primary object of making a convenient way of access to a place, which is designed to become a very popular shrine for the worship of Buddh, and thus to transmit the name of His pres- ent Majesty the Supreme King, to future gen- erations as a sovereign of great wealth, and of sincere devotion to Buddhism, such as he taught, when a priest at the head of a reformed school, and such as he has up- held with the right hand of his kingly power, in faithfulness to the oath he took when he acceded to the Throne.

The original name of the Pagoda (for such it is) was Pra-pra t'om Chotee, literally a Pagoda of a god that slept. But for rea- sons best known to such as have authority to change names, a slight change has been made in the writing of that original name, so that it can now be literally rendered, a Pagoda of the god of the beginning, or the most ancient Pagoda. The change is only in the letter O in the word pra- t'am, which formerly had no rising inflec- tion, but now has, and when Romanized is written Prat'om. According to the original name it is commonly understood that Gaudoma or Buddha, when journey- ing in Siam on "a certain time" slept at that place. which idea harmonizes well with other traditions concerning him ; — as for example :— that he found shelter at one time under a great shelving rock, some 10 or 15 miles east of Prabat, during a tremend- ous storm, and that consequently from that time to this, the ceiling and siding made by that rock, becomes brilliant in the view of every devoted follower of Buddha, when looking at it, and therefore is called Pra- Chei; — that he put one of his feet on a smaller mount at P'rabat, and left in it his foot print, and hence the name ; and that he reclined on a rock, at the top of a small mount 20 or 30 miles east of Pra-pra- toma Chedee, and hence the place is cal- led P'ra-t'aan,—the lounge of god.

The Pagoda on Pra-pra't'oma' Chedee, is situated in the midst of a vast wilderness of jungle grass, bushes, and scraggy bam- boos, with scarcely a hill in all the field of vision, or a large tree, and nothing to bound the vision but the horizon. It is said to be two and a half sens, or 400 feet high, having been designed by its founder Phya Kong, to be the highest point at which doves love to make their nests. The upper half of it, which has not been inclosed by the new brick work now going up, is much like the tops of some Pagoda's in Bangkok.

It would appear that the original size of its base was not a quarter of what it is now, There was no possibility of measuring it, as it was entirely hidden by the solid brick work which has been joined to it, and which is to be carried upward until the old is en- tirely lost in the new work. The artificial mound on which it stands, is a regular circle not far from 4000 feet in circumference, and about 15 feet high ; and the diameter of the new work measured on that base is about 600 feet. It has been carried up not far from 300 feet already, gradually becom- ing smaller as it ascends by symetrical and tasty variations of form—now swelling out gracefully and now sinking in, so as to form regular zones around it.

We ascended this new work on the south side by a flight of zigzag steps, made for the workmen. It is more properly, a plank road six feet wide, with strips of scantling spi- ked to the plank crosswise for steps. We came down on the north side by a similar path, made it would seam, for the special accommodation of the king and royal retinue in their annual and semiannual visitations. This flight of steps has a firm bamboo rail.

ing attached to it, which, is no doubt at the times of such visitations, wound up nearly with a white bandage the whole of his length for the hand of the King to grasp as he ascends and descends. The top of the new work is upward of 300 feet in circumfer- ence. Radiating from the old spire to the chief points of the compass, there are heavy four inch planks laid flat-wise, upon which the work is to be built up; and we were informed that several such strains of timber had been placed in the brick work below as there would be above ; — the object be- ing to prevent the work from splitting. Such an accident occurred four or five years since when the structure had arisen to nearly its present height. While many men were at work on the top of it, it sud- denly parted from the old spire on all hands and came down with a great crash; and marvellous to say, so great was the merit of working upon it, that it is reported that only one of the men was killed by the accident. The confused mound made by this avalanche was at length levelled down, and now forms the mound above described.

The view from the top of this new struc- ture commands a prairie district of great extent, which is now an arid wilderness of the common jungle productions of all the vast plains of Siam. Here and there could be seen small plots of cultivated land and round about them a few grass thatched huts indicating poverty. We could see nothing that looked like a canal or water privilege of any kind.

At the time we took our observations from that point, midway between the earth and the top of P'ra pra-t'ôm Chedée, the air was rather smoky and the sky cloudy, which circumscribed our view much from what it would have been in a clear time. Judging from observations made near Prả t'áan, some years since, we think that it should be in sight by means of a glass from this place. Lying, as it probably does, a little North of West. It is on a little mount in a slightly elevated district, abounding with the timber, called Mai teng rang, which is in great repute for the pillars of houses, and from which the rosin of this country is obtained.

At the base of this pagoda are being erected a circle of very tasty and expensive buildings with splendid porches, guarded by huge figures of Nak, a kind of demi-god. At the northern entrance is a small artificial mountain with a great variety of caverns, and subterranean recesses, on the exterior of which are sundry pools of water, little pagodas, and miniature temples. On the west side is a reclining god in the process of formation under the plastic hands of two masons, which may be 50 feet in length and otherwise duly proportioned.

In the immediate vicinity of the Pagoda are fifteen or twenty small brick houses, ill after the same model, of recent make, designed for the accommodation of Buddhist priests. On either side of the canal, which comes to its terminus a few feet from the Pagoda, are twenty or more substantial brick sazats some fifty rods apart, built but recently for the shelter of pilgrims coming to worship Buddah at this his sacred lodging place.

His Majesty, the Supreme King, is having a little palace erected a few rods from the Pagoda on the East side, for his own con- venience and pleasure when he comes hith- er to consecrate all these new works to the Buddhist religion, and to lead the devotions of his great family at this rising shrine. We observed, that among other numerous buildings, connected with the palace, was the usual accompaniment every where seen in the royal residences in city or in country —a large place for theatrical performances; for such plays are quite in harmony with the modern worship of Buddah.

An incalculable amount of treasure has been already expended upon this Pagoda, and all the other works connected with it; and many hundreds of thousands of Ticals will be required to complete all that has been laid out to be done.

There is in sight from the top of the new Pagoda, several miles to the S. E., another ancient pagoda called Pra pra t'one which from the present appearance of things, will not be allowed long to remain without some extraordinary honors being conferred upon it by His Majesty the King.

Would that the king could see how much better for his own name, and for his own subjects, and for the future generations of his own people, it would be to employ this great wealth, for the complete exploration and survey of all his dominions, that their vast hidden treasures might be brought to light, their rivers all accurately mapped, their towns, cities, and provinces, all clearly bounded, and railways and electric tele- graphs, bringing them all into close prox- imity with the great metropolis, and the whole into lightning communication with all the western kingdoms and nations.

We remained at Pra pra-t'om chedee only about two hours, as we found it very uncomfortably hot and confined, for our children in the boat, at low water in a deep ditch of a canal, with the merest sham of a market from which to replenish our table, and no house on shore offering the least comfort to such visitors in such a " dry and thirsty land." Having talked a little to the people, who came to look in upon us from the top of a high flight of steps leading to our boat, and given them a few tracts, and portions of the Eternal Word, we took our leave of them to return to the Tacheen river, which we reached about sunset. We had intended to proceed onw in to the Sugar district that night, but were obliged to give up the hopes of it, and put up for the night after having pushed against a strong upward tide till 9 P. M.

And now Mr. Editor, as it seems probable that the strong tide of my thoughts the next day would be quite to much for the present number, I will postpone the many things of great interest I observed there, for a place in some future issue.

APPOINTMENT OF CONSUL

P. Lessler Esq. has received has appoint ment as Prussian Consul to Siam. The Prussian treaty includes the following States,—vis:—Prussia,—Bavaria.—Saxo- ny,—-Hanover,—Wurtemberg,—Baden,— Electoral Hesse,—-Grandducal Hesse,—- Saxe Weimar Eisenach—-Saxe Meiningen,. —Saxe Altenburg—Saxe Coburg Gotha,— —Schwarzburg, Rudalstadt,—-Schwarzburg Sondershausen.-—The Elder Branch of Reuss,—-The Younger Branch of Reuss,—- Brunswick,—-Oldemburg,-—Nassan,—-Free Town of Frankfort—-Grand Duchies of Mecklenburg Swerin—-and the Grand Du- chies of Meckleoburg Strelitz.

Police Cases,

ITEMS.

His Excellency Chow Phya Yomārat, the New Lord Mayor has recently succeeded in arresting a gang of thieves and burglars, and recovered a considerable amount of stolen property. The gang appears to have been regularly organized, and of long standing. The vigilance of His Excellency seems to be producing a salutary fear among all that class of individuals.

CONSULAR CASE.

Odman Vs. Bush—-

We are indebted to H. B. M. Consul for the following:—-viz—-

No allowance was made to Mr. Odman, for his management of the concern. but his charge on account of a clerk, was allowed at a fixed rate per month, for a period of thirty months. and including the time requisite for the accounts to be made up.

Oliver Lewis seaman, aged 56, a native of Berwick-on-Tweed, was found dead, on Sunday 25th inst., in a bamboo hut, in the vicinity of the Harbor Masters office.

Deceased had been in the employ of the Harbor Master, and after receiving his wages on Saturday, went to the Sarapeng, and when last seen alive was under the influence of Liquor—His case adds but another victim to the millions which have been taken by the Giant Intemperance.

We have concluded to put the Siamese department of our paper on a separate sheet. It is useless to a very great majority of our English readers. Any who may desire the Siamese, will please inform us and we will be happy to supply it to them. It will henceforth be four pages instead of one.

Our faithful friend and fellow public ser- vant the Siamese Str. Chow Phya, Capt. Orton, arrived from Singapore via Saigon on the 26th inst., bringing as passengers from Singapore, M. Mallerbe and Lady, and Mr. J.

G. Caswell, and from Saigon, Monseur A. Henry.

She left Singapore the 14th at 6 o'clock P. M. and reached Cape St. James at 6 ½ P. M. of the 18th. Being detained for the night for the want of a proper conductor up the river, she did not arrive at Saigon till the 19th. Leaving Saigon on the 22nd, Cape St. James at 8 P. M. she arrived at the Bar on the 25th at 6 P. M. Laid at the Fishing stakes over night, and arrived in Bangkok 9 ½ A.M. on Sunday.

FROM THE HOME NEWS.

AMERICA.

The news from America, which is up to the evening of the 28th of Dec, is of great importance. On the 20th Sherman cap- tured Fort Lee and some of the outworks of Savannah. He then demanded the surren- der of Savannah stating that if refused, he would take no prisoners. Hardee refused to surrender. During the night of the 20th, Hardee escaped with the main body of his army by crossing the Savannah River, at Union Causeway leading to Charleston, af- ter destroying the ironclads and navy yards. Sherman occupied the city on the 21st, capturing 150 guns, 13(1 cars, 8 small steamers, 30,000 bales of cotton, 800 pris- oners, and a large quantity of ammunition. Twenty thousand inhabitants remained in the city. The value of the captured cotton is estimated at £ 8,000,000 ; it is believed to belong to foreigners.

General Beauregard announced from Charleston, under date of the 25th, that Sherman had sent a column southward from Savannah, probably to destroy the Savannah, Albany, and Gulf Railway, but that Har- dee had made dispositions to check the movement.

Nashville advices to the 23rd of December state that Hood's army had reached Pulaski, 75 miles south of Nashville, on the 22nd, closely followed by the Federal cavalry. Forrest, with his entire command, joined Hood's on the 21st at Columbia. Hood is reported to have a pontoon a bridge over the Tennessee River near Florence, above the reach of the Federal gunboats. Thomas's headquarters are near Columbia, and his army is south of the Duck River. Hood said to have lost at least 17,000 men, and 24 guns, since he retreated. His retreat is re- ported to have been very precipitate and disorderly, the country being filled with deserters stragglers from his army. On the 25rd, it was reported that Hood's army had retreated still further. He was moving to strike the Tennessee River at Bainbridge, near Florence. On that day a portion of Thomas's force was repulsed in an attack upon Hood's rearguard with considerable loss in men and two cannon.

Nashville despatches assert that the high state of the river would impede Hood's crossing the Tennessee.

Full particulars of Sherman's great march have now appeared in the New York papers, and the following is given as a summary of its results: —" His army moved across the State about 300 miles, in 27 days, living on the way on the fat of the land, devastating 43 counties, stripping the country of every- thing that could be of service to the rebel armies, destroying 200 miles of railroad, burning millions of dollars' worth of cotton, capturing 4000 prisoners, 10,000 negroes, 15,000 horses, and 30 pieces of artillery; and immediately on arriving on the coast wrested Fort M'Alister from the enemy, and laid seige to the city of Savannah. In the performance of all this marvellous work General Sherman lost not one gun or wagon, and his entire casualties were only 1500 men.

TELEGRAMS

ON Sunday night, December 25, General Butler informed Admiral Porter that the assault of Fort Fisher was impracticable, the fort being substantially uninjured as a defensive work by the navy fire, and that nothing but a regular siege would reduce the fort. Butler has re-embarked his troops and resolved to return to Fort Monroe as soon as the transports are ready.

Savannah advices to December 26 report that an effirt was being made to intercept Hardee’s retreat before he could reach the Broad River.

Hood’s infantry is reported to have crossed the Tennessee on pontoons placed above the reach of the Federal gunboats. state that Hood had 110 cannon.

General Lee reports that Lomax had repulsed Torbert two miles from Gordons- ville.

General Mosby is dangerously wounded

DENMARK.

The project of the new constitution, arranged to meet the altered circumstances of the State, has just been published. In its essential points it is the same as the fundamental Law of the 5th of June, 1849. It guarantees the same liberty to the citizens, maintains the principle of universal suffrage for the election of the Folkething and, as regards the Landsthing, differs only in the manner of voting the estimates, and in the establishment of an interval of two years between the ordinary meeting of the Rigsdag.

The Minister of Finance has submitted a bill to the Rigsraad, throwing the coasting trade open to all nations who will grant a similar privilege to Danish Shipping.

And tax his fancy’s might ;

To quiz is vain, for ’tis most plain.

That what I say is right.

General Thomas' Christmas gift to his wayward sisters, a worsted hood.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCKADE

The stockade or pen in which the prisoners at Andersonville are confined, it appears from the statement, is an enclosure of fourteen acres, five of which were a morass. Here the men were without shelter, and in many instances almost naked, huddled together without room for exercise. During the last Summer months there were scattered about in this pen, an average of at least 500 prisoners, who were suffering from disease in almost every form incident to man, in a climate to which he is unaccustomed. Five acres of the surface of the ground were covered with human excrement, exhaling a morbific in- fluence which would prove fatal even to the rice plantation laborer, accustomed from infancy to breathing the malarious atmosphere of his native swamplands. Con- stantly drenched by rains receiving bad food, always barely prepared and often raw, in many instances naked and laboring under a mental depression verging upon melancholy, feeling that their days were numbered, the prisoners were kept in their dreadful prison. Under these circumstances the mortality became frightful, and as a matter of defence from an epidemic, the rebel authorities were compelled to thin out the shambles early in September, by sending several thousand of the prisoners to a new stockade established at Savannah, where their sufferings were considerably alleviated. Subsequently these men on the breaking out of the yellow fever, at Savannah, were removed lo another prison pen at Milan. Before the change from Andersonville was made, eleven thousand victims had been buried, uncoffined, in the shallow trenches near the prison.

FROM GALIGNANI'S MESSENGER.

Private letters from Saigon, of the 6th Oct., give the following details of the situ- ation of affairs in Cochin-China:—

"Rear Admiral de la Grandiere, the Gov- ernor and Coinmander in cheif, has promul- gated a decree on the organisation of justice in the French possessions in Cochin-China. That document is founded upon the most liberal principles, it creates French and native tribunals, and authorizes the publicity of the proceedings in civil and criminal matter. It has produced an excellent im- pression on the population who, consider as the most serious and complete guar- antee for their interests.

They see in it also a proof that the Au- baret treaty will be ratified, and that none of the provinces now belonging to France will be abandoned.

Another favorable incident has just taken place. The administration has effected at Cholen the first sale of lands belonging to the State. It took care before commencing those auctions, to verify very minutely the tenure of the natives, and to recognize all legitimate right. This praiseworthy act has had for result, to attract a great num- ber of Chinese, and Annamite proprietors to the spot. The biddings at the sales were animated, and the average price obtained was seven piastres a metre, which has pro- duced a considerable sum to the public treas- ury.

Cholen is a very important commercial and manufacturing centre. The town is situated at a short distance from Saigon, and is inhabited by a very rich Chinese mer- chants, who are about to construct num- erous buildings, and at their own expense erect a Bourse, a Tribunal of Commerce, and an Entrepot for merchandise. A very useful establishment has just beeninau gua- ted—-the Anamite hospital of Cho-Quan, situated between Saigon and Cholen which will render very great services to the natives. It is by foundations of this kind that France will more and more attach the natives to her. The Sisters of Saint Paul de Chartres nurse the sick, and nothing can exceed the profound veneration which the natives have for them. The establishment of Cho-Quan is one of the most popular institutions in Cochin-China. Hospitals of the same kind are about to be established in the other pro- vinces.

ODDS AND ENDS.

Diogenes paying Plato a visit, trod on his rich carpets with his dirty feet. "Sec," said he, "how I trample on the pride of Plato." "True," said Plato, "but with greater pride."

Nothing in it-—A coxcomb, teasing Dr. Parr with an account of his petty ailments, complained that he could never go out without catching cold in his head. "No wonder," retorted the doctor , "you have no garb without anything in it."

The Stylites a class of ancient saints, gained much credit with their admirers by occupying for an in- definite period the summit of Columns. The modern mode is to place them in the Columns of Newspapers, which is a great improvement upon the ancient, be- ing equally flattering to the vanity without the phys- ical inconvenience and weariness.

A young man went from New York city to the West, where he commenced business on his own ac- count, and married. His friends in the city were interested in his welfare; and when a merchant was about to journey to the place where the young man was located, he was requested to visit the emigrant, and ascertain how he lived, and what sort of a wife he had chosen,—-his prospects, &c. Accordingly the New Yorker ascertained the residence of his young friend, and called quite early in the morning. The introduction of the New Yorker to his wife was quite off hand and unceremonious, and he was requested to be seated and partake of the morning meal. The young wife had prepared the steak, biscuit, and coffee with her own hands, and for a table had used her kneading board, over which a napkin was spread and, the “board” placed on her lap. The New Yorker declined a seat at the table and took his leave. On making his report to his New York friends as to how he found his young friends living, he described the style as “magnificent;” and for the explanation of the superlative he said, that were he the owner of the young man’s furniture he would not take $10,000 for the legs of his table.

If a man is given to liquor, let not liquor be given to him.

Conscience is a monitor! In too many cases it is iron clad.

If you visit a sweet girl, and if you are won and she is won, you shall both be one.

There are few things so pleasant as to have a woman at hand, that believes in you.