The Bangkok Recorder.

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EXTRACTS.
Universal Suffrage.

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher in a Sermon preached in Brooklyn N. Y. Dec. 7th 1865, discoursed on Universal Suffrage in the following remarkable language. While it proves him to be far beyond the age in which he lives, who shall say that twenty years will not bring mankind fully to his present stand point. Since he began his illustrious carreer there have been greater wonders than that accomplished.

And that which our fathers had hereditarily was in their children met by another poisonous tendency, of a like kind. So that the doctrine of the equality of men and their civil safety in perfect liberty was fast receiving its death-blow. But this war, and the great revolution in the public mind, together with the progress of that divine providence which makes us as the womb out of which higher thoughts are born, have changed the state of things; and we are now standing on the threshold of a better realization of the doctrines of civil rights than ever before was known. The doctrine of suffrage, im- partial, equal, and universal, is the doctrine of to-day. It may be that it cannot assert its full authority to-day; but from this day forward there will be no rest in any state, or in any part of this nation, until this doctrine is recognized. [Applause.] What you can do, or what you cannot do, to- day, may be a question; but the stream of things in the world points toward the augmentation of democratic ideas. All the delayed tendencies of our American institutions point in that direction. All the ideas of this great American people, when they shall have been emancipated, from the prejudices and hatreds engendered by slavery, will work toward this great consum- mation. And nothing is surer than that the day will ere long come in this land when civil rights will be im- partially and universally distributed to all men alike—and among them, as highest and chiefest, suffrage, which makes a man a potentate among his fellow sovereigns.

And I do not stop at the point of suffrage as between skin and skin. The mere question of color is transient. There is a deeper prejudice as between sex and sex than there is as between skin and skin. And the day is com- ing, not only when every man, though he be dark as midnight, shall vote; but when, as the household gather around the family altar to read God's Word, so father, and mother, and brother, and sister shall gather around the polls to vote. And we shall never escape from the piggish steam of politics fill in this matter of suffrage man ceases to put asunder what God has joined together.

Men may think that this harping upon the question of suffrage is a poor and petty thing, in the presence of greater and more substantial realities; but tell me, if you can, what is greater and more sublime than this very ques- tion of suffrage. That bit of paper which is called a vote is not mere paper; it is the symbol of a man's will. And what is the will of an assembled nation? The king is a man sitting on a throne and giving laws to an empire; but what is he compared with an empire sitting on a throne and giving laws to itself? The voice of thirty million men carries both music and thunder; and nothing is so sublime on God's earth as the silent omnipotence of the ballot.

When winter has for months held the earth in bondage, and the period come for its emancipation, what is it that is sent for its rescue? The driving light- ning; the resounding thunder; the pelting storm. The raindrops, soft and mellow, come plashing down. All through the night they fall, and fall; and in the morning where is the snow? It is wasted and gone. The rivers are bound with icy fetters; the rain falls, and falls, and falls; and behold the ice is rotten and sunk to the bot- tom, or is swept out to the sea, and the rivers are set free. The earth is brown and russet, and the rain still falls, and falls, and falls; and myriads of roots wake up and send forth green banners: and in every tree and bush and vine, on every hillside, through every valley, and in every field, are signs and tokens of resurrection. A more wonderful power has there been in these silent plashing drops, falling still as dust, to bring out the green- ness of resurrected spring, than there would have been in myriads of the mightiest chariots if God had sent them.

Silent falls the ballot, and away go shackles. Silent falls the ballot, and away go bondages. Still silent falls the ballot, and a whole continent is renewed, and liberty stands dressed in her spring greenery. And on God's earth there is nothing more beauteous and sublime than the spectacle of a nation voting.-—N. Y. Independent.

Route with Western China.

This long-mooted subject, of such paramount local interest, and which has had such strong public advocacy, unaided, unfortunately, by Govern- ment approbation, has now a blush of prospect upon it. The attention of the English authorities and public has been so frequent and strongly drawn to it of late, and it may be supposed, so convincingly that (it is alleged) the Secretary of State for India has for- warded instructions to the local Gov- ernment to entertain the subject, and give their attention to it, if the pro- posed scheme be found based on practicability. We may fancy, there- fore, that supposing such statement correct, and that we have thus got the wedge so far in the matter, the remainder of the project will not be immensely difficult to overcome, the contemplated route and its obvious advantages have been so familiarized to the public—-more immediately that of Burma—-by repeated and lengthen- ed discussion in the local journals, that it would be superfluous to re-open the outline in this brief notice of the pleasing circumstance we record.

The Wonderful Railway
Engineer.

THE wildest romance that was ever written, is not so marvellous as some true stories of the lives of great men. Out of the humblest homes, in the lowest depths of social life, God has sometimes caused a man to arise, who has attained to the summit of human greatness, and left his impress on the institutions of his age and country: like the lark, that builds its lowly nest amid the clods of the valley, and yet soars aloft, and sings its morning song above the clouds. But, of course, the instances are rare of such progress from the lowly to the lofty, and some- time the cases are more wonderful than instructive, for it is not easy to note the steps, or trace the path, of these mental gladiators of our race.

Something miraculous, either in them- selves, or their circumstances, or both, makes the case a brilliant exception.

But the life of George Stephenson, while wonderful as to progress, and astounding as to results, is chiefly in- structive, as showing us a steady, step- by-step plodding career, from the lowest rindle [?] in the social ladder to the highest. He had a long climb, a heavy toil, a hard struggle, before he gained a good position, and began to breathe the free air of success, or bask in the sunshine of prosperity.

Robert and Mabel Stephenson, were a poor, honest couple, who lived at the colliery village of Wylam—eight miles from Newcastle-on-Tyne. Like many labouring people, they had but one room, in a little detached house still standing, whose four apartments were let off to as many families. Mabel, though of delicate constitution, was spoken of as “a real canny body,” which means in Northumberland, a good housewife, a kind, sensible woman. Robert was of a slender frame, and most amiable disposition. He had an eye for all that was beautiful in nature, and a heart to feel both love and pity to the animal creation. His occupa- tion was that of fireman to the pumping engine of the colliery. His wages were twelve shillings a week. Their family consisted of six children—James, George, Eleanor, Robert, John, and Anne, at the average difference of two years between the ages of each child. George was born June 9th, 1781. Poor neighbours, who yet remember the family, bear this honourable testimony to them. “They had very little to come and go upon, they were honest folk, but sore hadden down in the world.” “Honest folk!” What a blessing to inherit an honest name, and to have during childhood an honest example. This poor, but virtuous home, was the only school the children knew; bread was dear, and it was hard to get them food, so schooling was altogether beyond them. It was a great day for little George, when he was first trusted to carry his father’s dinner to him, and to take charge of his little brothers and sister, and keep them from straying on the wooden tram-road, where the children- waggons dragged the coal past the doorway of the Stephenson’s lowly dwelling.

When George was eight years old, the family following their work, remov- ed to Dewley Burn, a few miles off, and here George first began to earn an honest penny by labour. A widow, named Grace Ainslie, had a little farm, and her cows used to graze on the sides of the tram-road or waggon-ways, and she needed a boy to herd them, and keep them from straying. For this service, little George had twopence a day. While watching the cows, the boy found time to make whistles out of reeds, and to model clay engines, in a bog near at hand, a proceeding that looked not much more inviting than making dirtpies, but the mechanical genius of the future engineer was even then stirring within him. Before the child could stride across the furrows, he was set to leading the horses at ploughing, and he used to say in after life, he went to work when other child- ren were asleep in their beds. For- tunately, it was work in the open air, and he had intervals of leisure for play, so it did not hurt him. His wages rose gradually from twopence to four- pence, and then he was taken on to work at the colliery as a “picker,” (taking stones and rubbish out the coal) until he reached the sum of eightpence a day. He is said then to have been “a grit bare legged laddie,” full of fun, and always trying to imitate every- thing he saw or heard, but never in all his frolics, unkind. He was very fond of birds, and a favourite black- bird used to roost in his cottage, fly out and enjoy its liberty all day, and even depart to the woods to pair and rear its young, returning for shelter in bad weather, to George, and this went on for years.

At fourteen years of age, George thought it a great promotion when he was taken on to assist his father in firing the engine, at the wages of a shilling a day. He now began to study the engine, in the hope of the sooner doing a man’s work, and earning a man’s wages. He had no one to teach him anything; it was by cleaning and taking to pieces as he could, different parts, that the meaning and purpose of the whole came into his mind. His diligence was observed, and by the time he was sixteen, he was put to firing a pumping engine at a neighbour- ing pit, and when, on the first Satur- day night, he was paid twelve shillings for his week's work, the same wages his father earned, he said as he come out and told his fellow workmen, "Now I'm a made man for life."

From this time to his eighteenth year, he continued to make progress, and gained the character of a clever, steady workman, always to be depend- ed on. But while he was thus improv- ing as a worker, a new want sprung up in his mind. He could neither read nor write. He had the good sense to perceive that it was needful if he was to continue to improve his condition, he must be able to do both. So no false shame prevented him from making a beginning, grown man as he now appeared, at his book. He found a teacher, Robin Cowens, who kept an evening school, and George paid threepence a week, and began the mystery of reading and writing. He did not learn very fast; everything was gradual in George Stephenson's progress. After a year's study, he was pleased at the age of nineteen, to be able to write his name. Soon after, a Scotchman named Andrew Robertson set up a night-school, and as he was a skilful arithmetician, George Stephen- son became his scholar; and soon took great delight in figures, employing his thoughts during the day in doing his sums mentally, and making great progress. The good young workman was very happy at this time, and he was the means of happiness to others. His parents were comforted for all their trials by seeing how steady and diligent their son was. Round his engine fire, flocks of birds, mostly robins, would gather for the crumbs he gave them, and his faithful dog daily brought his dinner in a can suspended round his neck, to the pit. Every living thing loved the brave and gentle youth.

When he was twenty years of age, and after some difficulty from the envy of an overseer, he had learned to be "a Breaksman," with wages from £1 14s. to £2 a fortnight; he learned in his evening hours to mend shoes, and as he did all he undertook in the best manner he was able, he soon became expert as a shoe-mender. This new branch of employment was destined to effect an important change in his condition. Fanny Henderson, a young servant at a neighbouring farm-house, was not only fair to the eye, but good and sweet-tempered; one of those young woman whose modesty and worth elevate womanhood. Her shoes went to George to sole, and the young man with all the fervour of his honest love, carried the shoes about with him in his pocket, and was proud and pleased that he had made "a good job of them,"—no doubt Fanny thought so to.

Out of this shoe-mending business, George saved his first guinea, and be- gan to consider himself as he said, "a rich man." He was rich in the best sense. Good health and good conduct are true riches. When his fellow- workmen on Saturday afternoons were lounging about with bad companions, or spending their earnings at the pub- lic house, George was taking the engine to pieces, cleaning it, learning it all by heart, and it was then said of him, "He never missed a day's work, and never was intoxicated in his life."

To be continued.

A wood Thief Surprised.

A gentleman living in Terra Haute, whose stove wood melted away faster than was warranted by the mildness of the weather, charged a fine looking stick with a few ounces of powder, and left it on the pile. The Express thus relates the sequel:

"Wednesday forenoon an explosion was heard in a house near by, and a kitchen window was spared no panes. On going to the spot, a sight might have been seen. The stove had joined a peace conference, a kettle of pork and cabbage shot up through the roof like an arrow. A dish of apples stewing on the stove, gave the ceiling the ap- pearance of a map of California: A cr[?]t was sleeping under the stove went through the broken window as though after the doctor.

The cat has not been heard from since, but a smell of burnt cat hair pervades that house very thoroughly. A flat iron was hoisted into a pan of dough, a chair lost three legs, the wood-box looks sick, while the roof of the house looks like a bursted apple dumpling."— Lo. Co News

John Adams' Courtship

A correspondent of the Boston Tran- script gives the following interest- ing reminiscence:

John Adams sought the hand of the daughter of Rev. Mr. Smith, of Wey- mouth, and Miss Abigail was pleased to accept the proposal of Mr. Adams, much to the chagrin of the parson, the objection being that Adams was a man of humble origin and moderate ability, and could never aspire to any- thing more than the position of a hum- ble village lawyer. His visits to her home were frequent and prolonged, but no hospitalities were tendered by the Rev. Mr. Smith, either to Adams or his nag, for while Abigail only had watch- ful care over him, his "bay" passed the weary hours of night in feeding on the hitching post.

Now, Abigail had a sister whose name was Mary, who was betrothed to a wealthier, and it was believed more promising young man, whose presence was welcomed most cordially by the reverend's family.

The good parson had promised each of his daughters that on the oc- casion of their marriage he would preach a sermon from a text of the bride's own selection. Mary first married, and "beautifully appropriate" did the father think the text— "And Mary hath chosen that good part!" In due time Abigail marries, and chooses for her text, "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil." Tradition does not tell us, as we remember, how the text pleased the father, but the sermon was preached, Mary, indeed, chose a good part; her life was a happy one, and her husband was a man of means and respectability. Abigail was a woman of strong affections, a practical wife, and possessed a great nobility of char- acter, while the names of her husband and son will live as long as the love of liberty inspires the soul of man.

Working and Thinking.

It is a no less fatal error to despise labor when regulated by intellect, than to value it for its own sake. We are always in these days trying to separ- ate the two; we want one man to be always thinking, and another to be al- ways working, and we call one a gen- tleman and the other an operative; whereas, the workman ought often to be thinking, and the thinker ought often to be working; and both should be gentlemen in the best sense. As it is, we make both ungentle, the one envying, and the other despising his brother; and the mass of society is made up of the morbid thinkers and the miserable workers. Now it is on- ly by labor that thought can be made healthy, and only by thought that labor can be made happy, and the professions should be liberal, and there should be less pride felt in peculiarity of employment, and more in excellence of achievement.—Anon.

What an Iron Bar Became.

A bar of iron worth five dollars worked into horse-shoes, is worth ten dollars and a half, made into needles, it is worth $355; made into penknife blades, it is worth $3,285; made into balance-springs of watches, it is worth $250,000.

What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to reach all that; but ham- mered and beaten and pounded and rolled and rubbed and polished, how was its value increased! It might well have quivered and complained under the hard knocks it got; but were they not all necessary to draw out its fine qualities, and fit it for higher offices!

And so, all the drilling and training to which you are subject, all the trials and hardships, thumps and pains which often seem so hard to you, serve to bring out your nobler and finer qual- ities, and fit you for more responsible posts, and greater usefulness in the world.

Bangkok Recorder.

Having learned that it would be agreeable to the friends of His Ma- jesty the late second king to have his European and American friends visit his remains in the royal urn, we, in company with our wives and children presented ourselves on the morning of the 27th inst. at the gate of the WANGNA for this purpose. Here we found our friend and near neighbor Phya Mont'ean Tawraisan the Prime Minister for the Wangna department waiting for us according to appointment. He requested us to be seated until he could exchange his silk apparel for one entirely of white which Siamese custom very properly, as we think, consider the most suita- ble for mourning purposes. His Ex- cellency took off nearly every thread of raiment in which he came from home and dressed himself entirely in white cotton shirting ; and this he did in our presence so adroitly as not to ex- pose his person in the least. Being thus ready, His Excellency conducted us through a ponderous gate of the palace, across a beautiful lawn into the private chapel of the second king. Its name is P'rat'minang Poot'ienwan it would seem to have been originally used for a royal audience hall. It is probably not less than 100 feet long, 40 wide and as many high to the ceil- ing. Its walls, as usual, have hosts of angelic beings painted on them. Towards the further end of the hall sit the chief brazen idol on a throne fifteen feet high. The plat-form of its seat was pyramidal in form some- what like a pagoda with rectangular gradations on which smaller idols were placed. We noticed one of silver, one of gold, and one of glass. These were all furnished with the usual showy articles of glass, gold and silver shrub- bery, sundry figures made of alabaster and marble, artificial flowers and fruit etc.

We were next conducted out of this chapel to another royal hall under another roof, called P'rat'minang Itasra Winitch'ie—-the throne of royal judg- ment. This hall is about the size of the chapel hall, but more richly fin- ished and furnished. On entering it you are struck with the display made toward the further end. Your eyes fix at once on the royal urn standing on an octagonal pyramid twenty feet high. Directly over it there is sus- pended a seven storied white canopy each story having a gilded band en- circling it. The lower story may be six feet in diameter, the top one less than one foot, and the intervening ones all evenly graduated to those extremes. The whole canopy is about ten feet high, suspended from a small circular niche in the ceiling. The short handle of it appears to rest on a small gold ball on the top of the spire of the urn.

The urn has the appearance of being most richly decked with precious stones but probably there is far more of show than reality. Its size and shape is adapted to an adult human body in a sitting posture. The part for the shoulders is the broadest, that for the neck much smaller, and that for the head a little enlarged, with the form of a Siamese crown on its top, and a gilded spire extending from it to the canopy. Its general form appears to be octagonal. Its foot is a little larger than its mid- dle. In this urn we were informed the royal remains are seated clothed in full state with a crown upon the head.

The base of the pyramidal throne on which the body sits is probably not less than forty-five feet in circumfer- ence. It is narrowed to the proper size for receiving the royal urn by right angle graduations. On these are tastefully arranged small artificial trees made of solid gold and silver placed under glass screens—artificial flowers and fruit made of glass porcelain and other materials—alabaster and mar- ble figures of men women and child- ren—silver, bronze, and glass figures of birds celestial and terrestial—splen- did lamp-stands all fitted with white wax candles etc. etc.

The body of the pyramid makes a brilliant appearance of itself, because of its carved work heavily gilded, with small pieces of glass blue, green and brilliant accurately cut into di- verse angles and forms, neatly fitted in the carving. But the appearance is doubtless vastly richer than the reality. The glass is made in Siam in the form of globes with a lining of lead on the inside. By cutting the lead lining in any form you please, the glass breaks precisely in that form. Most of the Siamese showy articles of state are thus decked and made to look brilliant and rich with comparatively little cost above that of the work of carving and setting in the glass. The articles look well at a distance but will not bear close inspection.

In front of the royal pyramid there is a strip of gold cloth six inches wide and twenty or thirty feet long extend- ing down from the urn along the front side of the pyramid, and its lower end neatly folded and laid on a stand. The object of this strip or band is to form a communication be- tween the body of the deceased, the officiating priests, and the sacred books. Hence all the priests take hold of it when performing certain of their re- hearsals. Just at the foot of this stand is a card-rack in which are sundry letter-envelopes in mourning, contain- ing letters of condolence, probably, that have been received by the Supreme king or other relatives of the deceased king. On the right hand side of the throne is the toilet which the deceased used when living. The stand, pitcher, wash-bowl, tumblers, soap, towels, mirror, &c. are just as we used to see them in His Majesty's dressing room.

We noticed behind the base of the throne two small figures of white persons carved out of alabaster stout or white marble horribly emaciated, sitting on the floor, each with one foot on the knee. We could not divine for what purpose they were put there, unless it be to symbolize the wasting power of disease and that death is certainly approaching even kings.

A little to the right of the pyramid is a real throne, used by the de- ceased in life—and there is another of superior dimensions in the rear of the hall. The seat of the former may be 4 feet above the floor—-the latter 8 or 10 feet. Each of these is covered by the usual Sawckrâ chât or the many storied royal umbrella. In front of the royal pyramid are four artificial trees from 5 to 6 feet high made, it was said, of solid gold. And in the rear there are four silver trees of the same size made of solid silver. There are round about the pyramid the usual gold wrought standards of royalty from 12 to 16 in number. They are simply the Sawckrachât on a smaller scale than those covering the thrones. Some are 3—some 5—and some 7 stories high. On the left hand of the pyra- mid is a large spittoon made apparently of solid gold; and near by are the gold sandals which His Majesty wore whenever he appeared in his most mag- nificent estate. We took them up and examined them critically. The inner sole is a thick plate of fine gold—and the under one of common leather having the ball of the foot decked with what appeared to be small rubies and diamonds, but more probably of glass composition. The uppers of the sandals were adorned with the same material. We noticed a gold betel box which we could more readily be- lieve is enriched by many small dia- monds and rubies. The gold pin with which the deceased fastened his top- knot when a little boy was displayed on a plate of corresponding richness with other precious mementoes.

The whole area of the spacious hall occupied by the pyramid and its appurtenances was screened from the other parts by rich tapestry. The one in front was woven with beautiful figures of gilded flower vases. The one in the rear had small leaves cut from sheets of pure gold sewed with great labor upon the woolen fabric, thickly studding the whole with heavy gold plate.

When we entered the hall, the front curtains were opened to give us full view. And when we were retiring they were closed. During nearly all the half hour we were in the hall a band of 12 Buddhist priests were en- gaged in chanting a kind of funeral dirge. A little before we closed our observations we heard the word given that it was time for them to take their last meal for the day. There were twelve little trays of food arranged in a row all ready for them. The dirge ceased and a far more pleasant exercise for them followed. Their food appeared to be neatly prepared, and was indeed quite tempting to the writer, not to enlarge upon the zest with which the clerical fraternity par- took of it,

We are informed that this chanting of the priests and feeding them is to be continued daily until the final cere- monies take place about 10 months hence.

Correspondence.

SIR,-— Your correspondent in her last article without having rightly de- fined the nature of that concluding remark "taking away at one sweep the whole object of salvation and the teachings of scripture" has made an assertion at once so grave, and so per- fectly contrary to the spirit of the article she refers to, that I am forced, most unwillingly, upon holier ground than I had ever dreamed of entering. I cannot stop to trifle with the why or wherefore, but with all reverence, and all the kindliness that a common faith inspires, beg to refer 'Penelope' to our mutual 'Sublime Instructor'—-who has alone pointed out, by his every day walk in life, the loftiest possible height of human virtue-—who alone reached up to, and compassed that most perfect of philosophical truths "char- ity"—-who in the mysterious promp- tings of His infinite sympathy with man, lived, died and awoke again in this world of ours, for us, and in order that "all" might share in the full and perfect "fruition" of his good work, and now "ministers" for us and our frailties, at the right hand of Him whom creation calls God, Revelation Light, but Wisdom Compassion; for it was from His teaching and practical life, I discovered (however imperfectly) that though he mixed freely with the world—-saw it as only He could in all its various aspects, said never a word, nor let fall from His sacred lips the smallest or feeblest whisper of a cen- sure against any of the forms of social enjoyment, customs &c. of his day—- that when some would be righteous persons rebuked him for eating with publicans and sinners, He replied "Go ye and learn what that meaneth I will have mercy and not sacrifice"; further that he emphatically enjoined on His followers, as a right, just, and bounded duty to "render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's." Also to every faithful steward He charged the judicious management of only one world, as far as I can dis- cover, and that the present, and all his promises of blessings, and rewards are held out to us, to induce us first to lead a true, honest, good life here, in order to secure a happier one here- after. Strange, it seems therefore, that those who are especially commanded to hope and believe all things favora- ble of others, should have such an aptitude for discovering faults, and while straining at "a gnat"—-dancing and its immoral tendencies,—-should find so little difficulty in swallowing "a camel" in the shape of "all unchari- tableness" To such our Saviour said "ye pay tithe of mint and cummin but have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, faith, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the others undone."

In conclusion allow me to remark that is required just that which "Pen- elope" pretends to ignore, (for I cannot believe that she really does so,) a phil- osophy that might bring a saint down from Heaven, the Home of our high- est ideal—to laugh with those that laugh, and to weep with those that weep" to become "all things to all men" in the great work of winning some to Christ. Or one, as broad deep, and expansive as that of Shak- spear's, with surface beneath surface, and scope enough to fill the most ben- evolent of minds to rightly appreciate the law of mutual fitness all round, that every thing is good in its place, that a time being appointed to hope, to pray, and to mourn, proves a time appointed to laugh, to dance, to sing, to play.

Zeal such as Penelope's in riding a favorite "hobby" is good in its place, too, though it does not excuse exclu- siveness of soul, or any amount of "bad" temper.

A Jesuit may be a good type of the faith he lives by, but that does not justify another standing outside of the threshold of his soul, to deny to him that which he claims for himself.

The Fangs of Africa or the Steins of Cambodia, may have natures of as substantial a value, as we have, and may not be pointed at as miserable blots, for they in the work of a "Great Artist" form a part of a perfect whole. If they lived as we do under the growth of six thousand years experi- ence, might have discovered ere this what power there is in a courteous and earnest examination, and not have denied.

carried a flame, where light alone would suffice. To us they are not without their value, these Fangs and Steins, for they prove a God, and there is much to be respected even in their shade, laughter, joy, sorrow, life, death, and a better resurrection. Nemo tam pauper vivit quam natus- est.

Sokan conoluded.

In the year of the rat, 4th of the decade, civil era 1214 there was a Sókan festival in the palace of the second king of the present reign. The mount Krilat was displayed at that time and other things and plays more than ordinary, but they were not of the highest degree as was customary for the Chówfa Sókan. They were only similar to such as had been had in the palace of the 2nd kings before that time. Hence from this time for- ward it become customary whenever the festival of the Sókan was observed in the palace of the second king to have royal processions for displaying the in- signed of royalty, and the drums of victory; but they were held on the New years holidays, and were not at- tended with the highest ceremonies, and there was no mount Krilat, and no great ado in advertising the ceremo- nies. This became the standard of the Sókan festivals in the palace of the second king for all the Práong Chóws of the palace.

But as regards the palace of the first king there were no princes or princesses of suitable age for receiving the honors of the Sókan until the year of the cock, 3d of the decade. civil era 1223, Christian era 1862. In that year as Prachów look t'o princess Ying yowálák had attained to a suitable age for receiving the Sókan, the royal council of Princes, nobles, and lords bowed before His Majesty the Supreme king and begged that the king would be pleased to have a great and com- plete Sókan festival such as has not been held for more than fifty years— pleading that witnesses of the complete Sókan so long since had now become very few, and that the few living have forgotten much of what they then saw, and that the vast majority of the peo- ple now living in Siam have never seen the like. For these reasons we do humbly entreat His Majesty the Supreme king to grant this our request that it may be for example for the time come.

Whereupon the king gave command to prepare for a great Sókan festival. Preparations were accordingly made complete in all their parts excepting there was no mount Krilat.—At the time of that festival occasion there were added to it the ceremonies for giving the name Chowfa Choola Longkorn bawdin t'ará t'ép'áyom kôot mahá boorôotáyá rátáná rátchará wiwongs wára p'ongs bawri p'át siri wat'á nárách'á kôoman, to His royal Highness, engraved on a gold plate and by this H. R. H. was promoted to the rank of Sómdetch Prá Chów look-ya t'ô Chówfa.

These Sókan festivals were held in the 4th month—the year of the cock civil era 1223, Christian era March 1862.

The custom of the royal Sókan were established as above described. In the year of the dog there were three chil- dren of His Majesty who attained to the age suitable for receiving the hon- ors of the Sókan. There names were Práong Chów Ying TáksInáchá, Prá- ong Chów Ying Sómswáttce, and Prá- ong Ying Brá P'ák-sawn. It was the pleasure of His Majesty the king to have these three princesses receive the Sókan with all the usual ceremonies as beforetime. The festival for the three princesses was held in the 4th month the year of dog, 4th of the de- cade, civil era 1224, Christian era 1863.

In the 4th month of the same year there was a Sókan in the palace of the 2nd king for a Práong Chów. It was a great festival with all the customary ceremonies and plays, and the mount Krilat on a small scale similar to the one before in the year of the rat 4th of the decade.

After this, coming down to the year of the rat, 6th of the decade there were two Práong Chóws children of His Majesty the Supreme king who had arrived at the age for the Sókan. There names were Báktará p'ímon p'áráná, and Mahá Bhadhorn. His Majesty having had an example in a Siamese king of the 26th reign named Prá- Rama Tiba[?]n Máha Rach's Prása[?] Tawang, who had his son Práong Chòw-In receive the Sôkan at a royal country palace on the Island of Bân- lane, determined to revive that old style; and inasmuch as His Majesty was pleased to give command that at this time the festival of the Sôkan should be held at His Majesty's palace at Petchaburee according to that an- cient custom. This took place in the 2nd month of the year of the rat, 6th of the decade, civil era 1226, Christian era 1864.

Now according to the old and pro- per custom of the Sókan no P'ra-ong Chôws, who were not of the rank of Chôwfa had a right to the higher hon- nors of the festival. But inasmuch as the old custom had been innovated in the reign of P'ra-bât Sômdelet P'ra pôôt'j-yâwif'a Chôôlalôke as also in the reign of P'ra-bât Sômdet P'ra-pôôt'i lot la nâp'alei in the palace of the 2nd king when there were great proces- sions for the Sókan made for P'ra-ong Chôws exceeding the old custom on two occasions, as also on two occasions in the present reign in the palace of the 2nd king, going beyond the cus- tom of old time, and thus establishing a precedent for the future, it became a matter of necessity that in the-palace of the Supreme king that that preced- ent should be followed. And this is because the honors conferred by the Sókan are regarded of the first import- ance, and the people who desire to witness the ceremonies are many, and they wait with intense interest for the time of the Sókan festivals to arrive; So that they cannot quite trust that the time will come of course, but feel impelled to beg of the king to com- mand the ceremonies to be held.

Now at this time Prince Sômdet P'ra Chôw lôôk t'o Chôwfa Choo- longkorn, having attained to a suita- ble age for receiving the Sókan, being full 12 years of age, and having pre- viously been favored with various and extraordinary honors equal in every respect to those conferred formerly on the two Chôwfas, sons of P'ra-bât Sômdet P'ra pôôt'i lot la nâp'alei, it seemed proper that this prince should receive likewi-e the same most ex- traordinary honors of the Sókan on this occasion as were conferred on those two former occasions that they should stand for prveodents in the future time.

Now all who shall be called out to aid in this festival occasion let them perform their several parts on this festival occasion with full heart and strength, thinking that they thus hon- or then lords and masters.

And as concerning all foreigners who have not become acquainted with the history of this Sókan festival, we beg that they will not murmur the thought that all this ado is of no ad- vantage to the country and the king- dom, saying it obliges the people in great numbers to spend their time and strength for nought, and calls them out in great multitudes to squander their time in witnessing it. We beg that they will suspend such judgment upon the festival, for it is regarded as of great importance in the kingdom as may be seen by the sketch given of it above. It is a long stand- ing custom.—But such extraor-dinary occasions do not occur often. There are not usually more than one or two in a single reign. If we should now cut off the custom and have no more of the festivals the people, informed in Siamese history, would feel exceeding bad and would murmur out their grief by saying that the Supreme king fav- ors so highly European custom, that he casts away our venerable instit- utions very easily. Hence we conclude that it is suitable that we should hold on to our ancient customs so that they shall not vanish away.

Now as regards the present occa- sion for the Sókan festival, let the people in great multitudes bring their offerings of gold and silver, and pre- sent them to the son of the king at the Sókan, according to the ancient custom from time immemorial. All who comply with this notification are expected to do it as a free will offer- ing, and not as being compelled by any command of the king; and they will thus show themselves pleased with the Prince who is to be the sub- ject of the Sókan. The king makes no demands of the kind. Whoever is pleased to aid as above intimated or not let him act freely. To refuse to aid will not be regarded as any offence. Whoever shall be pleased to make any offerings to the prince on the occasion will be remembered with gratitude; and whenever he shall have any festiv- al for cutting the top-knots of his own children or grand children let him inform the king of, and he will make presents to the subject of the festival in return according to the old custom of reciprocity on such occasions. Therefore let no one misunderstand or murmur about this matter, as there can be no good cause for it.

Given on Thursday the 2nd month the 11th day of the waxing moon, the year of the cow, 7th of the decade civil era 1227, it being 5342 days since the beginning of the present reign, corresponding with the Christian era Dec. 28th 1865.

LOCAL.

Having had scarcely a drop of rain since the 5th of February, the heavens have become brass over our heads and the earth iron under o it feet, and the heat quite oppressive from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. There were signs of rain yesterday for the first time in seven weeks. It was quite exciting to see the elements gathering their forces for a storm—the heavens covered with black clouds—thunder and windstrug- gling, as it were, against each other— the one bent upon bringing the rain down, the other on driving it away.

The wind was completely victorious, Not a drop of rain, so far as we could see, fell upon our great metropolis in all the bluster—It is very likely that a small portion of Siam a little to East of us had a shower.

Generally our evenings and morn- ings are delightfully temperate—al- most paradisaical. And latterly our moonlight evenings have been so en- chantingly sweet that one feels it hard to retire until midnight.

We noticed last evening a magnific- ent circle about the moon when she was on the meridian. It was at least 60 degrees in diameter. The inner part of it was very nearly like a rainbow in color and the outer white like fleecy clouds, but of uniform size of a degree or more, most beautifully blending it- self into the blue ether.

The longer we live in Siam the more are we impressed with the con- viction that God has spared no pains in making the climate of her vast prairielands, under tidal influence, one of the most salubrious and delightful in the world, and her soil without a a parallel for its richness and inex- haustableness. It is to our minds really exhilarating to think of the beauty and glory to which Siam would at- tain, under a strong christian govern- ment continued for scores of years, and that such a time is surely coming for her, however slow in its approach and however far it may be in the future.

His Majesty the king left on Sunday morning the 23rd, and is expected to return in time to send his mail by the next "Chow Phya". In consequence of His Majesty's absence as also of H. E. Chow Phya Kalahom, the Prime Minister, we are quite shut out from getting news from head quarters. The royal court has, for the time be- ing, been removed to Petchaburee some 80 miles distant, and there is no telegraphic line or railroad or other rapid steam connection between the two seats of government.

We are happy to be able to inform our readers, that we have in hand a communication from the Siamese gov- ernment for our Siamese paper, receiv- ed before His Majesty's departure, as- suring us that the English Company who requested the privilege of making a Telegraphic line through Siamese terri- tory to connect Calcutta, Maulmain and Bangkok with Singapore, will certainly obtain their petition; and that the gov- ernment has great hopes of the usefulness of that line. Surely this looks quite encouraging for Siam as well as for all this Eastern world. Let us rejoice in the hope of Siam's continual pro- gress in improvements. We hope in our next to give a translation of that interesting document.

Fright at the Royal Mint.

Some of our readers may, perhaps, recollect that one of the correspondents of the "Recorder," some three weeks since, inquired "if we were never to get any more of the new flat Ticals," and at the same time complaining that "the old bullets have mostly become so worn by use that it is very difficult to pass them." We have quite recently been surprised to hear that that very short article of the most simple and plain English has been so misread that it created a wonderful hubbub at the royal Mint. It was understood to complain of the flat Ticals as being difficult to pass on account of their spurious qualities. What a pity it is that the Siamese government has not provided herself with correct readers of the Queen's English (not of the King's) from her own sons! And since, even now, after fifteen years of the most enlightened reign Siam has ever had, she has scarcely one such in any grade from the throne to the dung- hill. How strange it is that she does not more thoroughly awake to a sense of the importance of having many such men!

Now since her best English schol- ars made that gross mistake in reading those few words in our paper, one of the men concerned in the Mint, we learn, was suddenly thrust into prison last Sunday morning under the impres- sion that he, probably, had been en- gaged in making the flat Ticals of spu- rious material as was supposed to be complained of in the article alluded to, and several of the overseers of the Mint have been frightened almost out of their wits lest terrible judgment shall fall upon them also in the awful confusion. They have dispatched mes- senger after messenger to enquire of us into the certain meaning of the article in question. And we have been very unhappy to quiet their fears with the assurance that there is not a word of complaint in it of the new flat Ticals, nor indeed of the old "bullets" as to their genuineness, but simply an en- quiry why govername t does not issue more of the new and far preferable coin.

Be in Earnest.

Be in earnest! God who formed thee, And with might and honor armed thee, Ne’er designed that thou should’st squander Life in vanity, or wander, Childlike, after bursting bubbles. Made to buffet stormy troubles—- Made to breast the stormy billow—- Made to battle in the sternest—-

Be in earnest! What thou doest, What thou plannest or pursuest, Plan, pursue and do with spirit, Never care, though thou inherit Glory dimmer than the brother'e—- Power weaker than another's— Use thy power—-use it rightly; And in faith, nor prize it lightly, And where'er they power thou turnest,

Be in earnest in thy feelings; If in Sorrow's wept appealings Thou impulsively respondest— If thou cherish hopes the fondest— If in Friendship thou confidest-— Or if Folly thou deridest-— If thou battle with Aggression—- If thou struggle with Oppression-— If with Patriot's flame thou burnest-—

Calcutta.

Mr. C. Markham has completed his report on the Chinchoua cultivation of Ceylon. The experiment has proved quite successful. He brings strong testimony to show that the plants ac- climatised in India are likely greatly to excel the original ones of South America in the yield of alkaloids. The young prunings yield large quantities of quinine, and the quantity of alka- oids is increased by the growth of moss round the stem. Moreover strips of bark can be continually taken from the same tree without injuring it, if only the wounds are at once covered by moss. The red bark of India and Ceylon will fetch as high a price as the Caliaya of Bolivia, the most valuable of all the barks, or 4s. a pound. In the chinchoua bark there are 4 febrifuge substances found in proportions vary- ing with the species of plant., viz.; quinine, quinidine, cinchonidine and cinchonine. The best chemists state that quinidine and cinchonidine are nearly equal in their effects to quinine, although the latter only is of any com- mercial value at present, but it is of the greatest importance to get rid of the prejudice and error on this point. For this purpose a commission of medical men should be appointed to report upon the subject. The estimat- ed number of plants in Ceylon is 550,000 and of those on the Neilgher- ries 776,000. So that, with the plants in various stations in India, the cul- tivation has now reached about a mil- lion and a half since the first plants were introduced six years ago. Private enterprise has taken up the cultivation which promises to add enormously to the wealth of India, while it reduces the almost prohibitory cost of quinine to the poor.—Maulmain Advertiser.

Saigon.

The official Courrier of Saigon is enthusiastic on the progress of the French settlement of "Cochin-China." The revenue has risen from 1,344,000 francs in 1862 to 4,063,000 francs last year and an estimate of 973,000 francs more this year. Most of the increase seems to be due to the tax on villages, the sale of land, and the harbour and customs dues. We are not told what the settlement costs France, but the expense must be in the same propor- tion as that of Algeria, for there is a proportionally large military force. The writer says "Aucune question n'intéresse plus l'avenir de la colonie que l'instruction publique. La grand- eur future de la Cochin-chine dépend de la conquête morale de l'élément annamite." In the three provinces of the settlement the only large towns are Saigon and Cholon which have a united population of more than 60,000 souls. A sum of 20,000 francs has been assigned for an Exhibition of industry and agriculture. It is a pity that an opposition paper is not allow- ed in Saigon any more than in Paris, that we might know exactly how much of the Courrier's picture is real.

Our Commercial Interests
in China.

We are particularly pleased to find by the English papers, that the ac- counts which India has for some months past received of the piracies opposed to our trade at some of the ports of China, have also reached England; and it is stated that "the condition of our China trade will be brought before Parliament on an early day after its opening." This is a circumstance which has long pleaded for such a dis- cussion and investigation; and possi- bly no more opportune period has occurred, than now, when having the tried and tactical man, Sir Rutherford Alcock, on the spot as our Envoy at the Court of Pekin; under whose cogitations and energy the serious matter may be expected to be prac- tically dealt with. All that is gen- erally known, even in India, consists of occasional and isolated newspaper paragraphs; which information simply amounts to the concise fact, that our trade along the whole seaboard of China is now and again seriously damaged by pirates, over whom we seem to have no power, and at whose mercy our coasting vessels are left completely. It need not of course be for an instant doubted, that such an injurious as well as inglorious state of things cannot be left uninterfered with, and such a blot on the name of Eng- land be allowed to continue. The questions on the subject are, how and why does it continue? This seems to be the great and leading fact for en- quiry—-in connection with which the Home News suggests as queries; "Is our naval power in these waters suf- ficient to protect our commerce? If it be, what is the cause of its failure to do so? Does it arise from injudicious distribution, or want of vigilance?" It may be thought that these are pro- blems of very easy solution, by author- ity on the spot—-and, assuredly, the sooner they are solved, and satisfac- torily so, the better for English trade in that locality, and the more cre- ditable to the national character. By latest accounts from the country, it would appear that piracy has reached such a fearful height of impunity in the Chinese and Malayan seas, "that it is now carried on openly, in day- light, and without the least shadow of disguise." As far as we can judge from the eastern intelligence which reaches us, Japan seems to be the great centre of attraction of the Ad- miral's attention; and, barring the serious matter we are descanting on, it might be all very well to endeavour to force an extension of an incipient trade in that country, which there can be no doubt will eventually become valuable; but surely an already rich and extensive one should not be left unprotected in our commercial chiv- alry at Yokohama. This conduct to seems to us to savour of that want of prudential philosophy, which we are warranted to expect from great com- mercial nations. It looks very much like neglecting the goose, in our an- xiety for the golden egg. Such is not precisely complimentary to English policy, it is true; yet it is a miniature portrait of what is just now going on, as above represented, with English commerce in China, through the non- suppression of piracy. We must hope accordingly.—-Maulmain Advertiser.

Men Who Cannot Make
Speeches.

One of the most singular develop- ments of the times is the appearance in American public life of a class of men who cannot make speeches. Thus, we have a Lieutenant-General who, when he is fairly cornered by the ad- miring crowd, will make two or three polite bows, but will not let a word out of his mouth any more than he would Pemberton out of Vicksburg, or Lee out of Richmond. Gen. Sher- man, on similar occasions, attempts but the most meagre replies, although he is ready and pungent enough with his pen. Gen Thomas returns thanks, and that is all; while the gallant Sher- idan simply says: "excuse me boys, you know I never make speeches.- Boston Journal.

Odds and ends.

—-We should walk through life as through the Swiss mountains, where a hasty word might bring down an avalanche !

—-There are two reasons why a man sometimes cannot get credit; one is because he is not known; the other, because he is [?]

—-Every censurer of other people knows ten times as much ill of himself as he does of the worst of them.

—-Regard what I am! never mind what my father was!'' is an old Arabic saying.

-—A late heavy shower of rain shewed one ludicrous sight—an attempt to crowd two fashionably dressed women under one umbrella.

—-Our politicians say, it is sweet to die for country, sweeter yet to live for it, and sweeter of all to live on it.

-—It is easy to say “Know thyself,” but who is to introduce you?

-—Most people go through life without making the advantageous acquaintance in question.

-—The crowning fact, the kingliest act of freedom is the freeman's vote. Whittier.

—A thrifty wife wonders why the men can't do something useful. Might not they as well amuse themselves in smoking hams as in smoking cigars?

—Swift says, when a man avers that he is of no party, he certainly belongs to a party, but it is one of which he is ashamed.

—Many run about after happiness, like an absent-minded man hunting for his hat while it is on his head.

—In a country churchyard we find the epitaph—"Here lies the body of James Robinson and Ruth, his wife;" and underneath is the text—"Their warfare is accomplished."

—France has had 61 queens. Misera- ble lives they led—Two executed. Nine died young—Seven were wid- owed early.—Three cruelly treated.— Three exiled.—The rest either poi- soned or died broken hearted.

—A judge in Indiana threatened to fine a lawyer for contempt of court. "I have expressed no contempt for the court," said he, "on the contrary, I have carefully concealed my feelings."

—Some mischievous wags one night pulled down a turner's sign and put it over a lawyer's door. In the morn- ing it read, "All sorts of turning and twisting done here."

Patrick O'Flaherty said that his wife was very ungrateful, for "whin I married her, she hadn't a rag to her back, but now she is covered with 'em."

"I gave the fellow a shilling" said Sir Walter Scott, on one occasion when six-pence was the fee, and added, "remember you owe me six-pence, Pat." Said Pat, "May your honor live till I pay you!"

An honest Hibernian trundling along a hand cart containing all his valua- bles was accosted with—" Well, Patrick, you are moving again I see!" "Faith, I am," he replied, "for the times are so hard, it's a dale cheaper hiring hand carts than paying rent.

One day the philosopher Blis found himself in the same vessel with a crowd of sorry scoundrals. A tem- pest came on, and instantly the band began to invoke the succor of the gods "Be quiet, you wretches!" said the sage, "if the gods perceive you are here, we are gone."

Education in India.

Bring an extract from a Speech of Sir Mumookhjee Cursetjee of Bombay, at the Enquiry.

Education in India, till 30 years ago, had lain dormant, and was still sur- rounded by almost insurmountable obstacles. Among the enlightened class in India, the number of which might almost be counted upon the fingers, there was but one opinion—- namely, that the only way to promote the improvement of the native popula- tion morally, intellectually, and politi- cally was by advancing education, male and female, in every legitimate manner. The half enlightened class, by their own intercourse with Europe- ans, and by witnessing the progress made by native youths educated in the colleges of India, were convinced of the advantages of education, but would only allow their children to avail them- selves of it to a limited extent. When the Native Education Society of Bom- bay—-established a quarter of a cen- tury ago, chiefly through the exertions of Mountstuart Elphinstone, who had done more for India than all the other governors put together—began its opera- tions, many Parsees and other influen- tial natives, fearing that the schools would exercise undue influence over the minds of the natives in converting them to Christianity, withheld their support. On becoming a director of that society in 1838 he offered a prize for an essay, to be written by one of the head boys, upon female education, but the managers decided that the sub- ject was not suited for general ventila- tion, and the money he had given for the prize remained to this day unap- propriated. Since then, however, 50 essays and hundreds of articles on the question of female education had been written and published in India. An impression prevailed that as children became more educated and enlighten- ed they were more likely to embrace Christianity. The topic was a very delicate one, and perhaps he ought not to touch on it in that assembly. He was not a Christian himself, but the more men's minds were enlightened and the more they saw of life the bet- ter, he believed, they would be able to judge for themselves on this subject. If any of the natives thoroughly believ- ed that Christianity was for their good, it was far better that they should declare their conversion openly than that they should remain hypocrites, thinking one thing and doing diame- trically the opposite.

Odds and ends.

—Why do the recriminations of mar- ried couples resemble the sound of waves on shore? Because they are murmurs of the tied.

—He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.

—Sal, what time does your folks dine?" "Soon as you goes; that's mis- sus' orders."

—A person who tells you of the faults of others, intends to tell others of your faults.