The Bangkok Recorder.

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Seizure of another coolie
ship.

The Hongkong, a Bordeaux coolie ship, left Whampoa for Havanna a few days ago, and has been seized by the emigrants. The incidents of the Pride of the Ganges case, seem to have been closely imitated. The Cap- tain has been murdered, and seven of the crew are still in the hands of the Chinese. The news of the seizure was brought to the French consulate yesterday, by the French vice consul of Macao, to which port ten men of the Hongkong's crew, who succeeded in making their escape, proceeded in one of the ship's boats. They arrived at two o'clock on Thursday afternoon, and reported the details of the mutiny. The ship left the river a few days ago with 260 coolies on board, under the command of Captain DUVAL. Al- though nothing occurred which raised any suspicion of the intention of the emigrants, they suddenly rose on the afternoon of Wednesday. The Cap- tain was killed at once by a blow with a hatchet, and the crew fled for pro- tection to the cabin where they de- fended themselves as long as their ammunition lasted. At last the Chin- ese by pretending to surrender, induc- ed them to come out of their retreat. The coolies profited by this opportu- nity to possess themselves of weapons, and the fight continued. Seeing that they were overpowered, those of the crew, who were able, succeeded in launching one of the boats and escap- ed. The seven others who were all more or less wounded, remain in the hands of the Chinese. Amongst them are the first and second mates.

The Governor of Macao, to whom the French vice-consul at once appli- ed, had no gun-boat at his disposal to send in search of the mutineers, but promised to furnish military assistance if a steamer could be obtained by other means. This however could not be done, and yesterday morning the vice-consul came over in the White Cloud, and laid the whole case before M. du CUESNZ. He of course immediately visited Admiral KING, and obtained a promise that a gun- boat should be dispatched as soon as possible in pursuit of the captured ship.-—O. Trade Report Mar. 1st.

Railway for Manila.

Whether we shall ever have Rail- ways in China is a problem to be sol- ved by time. The "farthest East" is not, however, to be left entirely without this great result of Western civilisation. We are to have a Rail-

way in Manila. The services of an English Engineer have been engaged and he is now prosecuting his surveys. The local government are rendering every assistance and support, and it is hoped that in about three months time, all plans, specifications, statistics, concessions, &c., will be prepared. The line is to run Eastward from Manila to the Pacific, but the con- struction will be divided into short stages, with a view of testing the profitable nature of the undertaking; a fresh issue of shares being made for every stage or division. The first stage will extend from Manila to Ta- gig, a port on the lake of Bay, at pre- sent the anchorage of the Cascos from all parts of the Province, and when cargoes are shipped into canoes for Manila. It is estimated that this stage will pay well, indeed there is no rea- son to doubt the soundness, practica- bility, and commercial safety of the whole scheme, but the first stage will probably be found the most profitable. As it is proposed to also a limited number of shares for absorption in China we have been at some pains to ascertain the general grounds upon which the speculation has been intr[o]- duced and upon which the hopes of its successful issues are founded, and, without committing ourselves to any recommendation on the subject, we will place before our readers the re- sult of those enquiries. It is simply that we have been convinced of two important facts: viz., that the inter- ior of the island is productive to an almost unlimited degree, and that the means of transport are utterly inade- quate to its requirements.—Over. Trade Report Mar 18.

The Cruise of the "Opossum."

The recent cruise of the Opossum has been attended with very brilliant results. Lieut. St. John, her com- mander, has in one week, captured sixteen junks, forty prisoners, fifty three guns, has burnt a private village, and liberated twenty seven captives,— a week's work to be proud of, indeed. Our readers will remember that a few days ago we reported the arrival of the Opossum at Macao with the infor- mation that she had destroyed fifteen junks. Since then we have learned some particulars of her adventures.

On Saturday the 10th, Lieut. St. John applied for leave, and received permission from the Admiral to go out for a cruise. He did not at that time know of any projected operations on the part of the pirates, and intend- ed simply to look round and see what was going on. His fires were no soon- er up, however, than scme of the na- tive merchants sent off to inform him that a number of pirate junks were lving at a place called Pak-shui, on the west coast, a little beyond Масaо. In that direction therefore he steered, and yesterday werk flushed the birds he was in search of. At the head of a small creek stood the village guard- ed by a battery of three guns,—one of them a 55 cwt-gun throwing a 24 th. shot,—and anchored off it, lay the piratical junks, fifteen in number. They were all armed, some of them heavily. In all they carried forty- three guns, most of them 18-pounders. They were manned by 200 men, and it must be acknowledged were not a bad match for one bost with only three guns on board, manned by about seventeen or eighteen Europeans, even though these were British seamen. Lieut. St. John came in, so that as he ran down on the junks they were end on to him, and their guns being all in the broadside, were consequently use- lass. As soon as he came within range, he opened a flank fire on the battery, and in a very short time, its defenders cleared out This was the signal for the men in the junks to do the same. The whole two hundred scrambled on shore, and made off into the interior, leaving the vessels a prey to the gun- boat. Lient. St. Jons landed with a small party of men from the gun-boat, and while he was on shore, as we un- derstand, the explosion took place on board one of the junks by which the warrant officer of the Opossum was wounded. He was engaged setting fire to the vessel when a jar of powd- er standing on the deck took fire. There was no explosion in the ordin- ary sense of the word. That is no materials were thrown about, but the

gunner was burnt by flame of the powder, and by a succession of small- er explosions which followed. A boy who was with him jumped over- board and escaped with but few in- juries, but the gunner could not swim and had to run on in the junk. A marine was wounded in another ex- plosion while setting fire to a junk which had been hauled upon shore. After the work had been performed, when the pirates were all out of the way, and the Opossum was busily en- gaged destroying their craft, a fleet of forty Mandarin junks came round the point. It seemed that the Imperial men-of-war had been twice beaten off by the pirates of Pak-shui, and were coming down this time in force. The one English gunboat however had ac- complished the task out of hand, and there was nothing left for the Chinese but to profit by the victory. They landed 1600 men and burnt the vil- lage, and Lieut. St. John handed over to them the greater number of the captured junks and guns after having destroyed the rest. He then went to Macao, and sent back his wounded men to Hongkong. During the whole of Monday he remained at Macao, but Tuesday morning saw him down the west coast again. On Wednesday off a place called I-mum he fell in with a large heavily armed junk, about thirty feet longer than the Opossum, carry- ing eight guns (one 50 cwt. one 30 cwt. and the others 12 pounders), big enough to have hoisted Her Majesty's small ship Opossum on board alto- gether if she had the proper machin- ery. This junk was at once recog- nised as the vessel of which the gun- boat, on information received, was in search. When she was stopped, her owner was prepared with all the docu- ments necessary to prove him, a most respectable trader, only carrying guns for his own protection, but it happen- ed that Lieut. St. John had on board the Chinaman, who really owned the vessel. She had, it seems, been en- trusted to the man now found in pos- session of her, who had never after- wards accounted for her to his owner, but had turned pirate instead. When confronted with the Chinese merchant on board the Opossum, he saw that his game had been "played out," and resigned himself to his fate with Asia- tic fortitude. He made no further attempts to defend himself either by arguments or physical force, and to- gether with forty companions was conducted by the Opossum to Quang- hai and given over to the Mandarins. By then, he was recognised as a man of great influence on the west coast. He and his crew will be sent on to Canton, and there is no reason to doubt the fate that awaits them. The captives we spoke of above were re- leased at Pak shui before the village was burnt.—O. T. Report Mar. 1st,

Bible Readers.

I, for one love the Bible supremely. In all the world, I have found no book to set beside it. Other books I love well. Milton, Taylor, Carlyle, Ten- nyson, Emerson, Spencer and many a noble names beside in this great bro- therhood, is so dear to me that there are few sacrifices I could not gladly make rather than lose their compan- ionship. But when I am in any strait —-when I want to find words other than my own to rebuke some crying sin, to stay some desperate sinner, to whisper to the soul at the parting of the worlds; to read, as I sit by them that weep beside their dust, words that I know will go to the right place as surely as corn dropped into good soil on a gleaming May day—-then I put aside all books but one—-the book out of which my mother read to me, and over which she sang to me, as far back as I can remember. And it is like those springs that never give out in the dryest, and never froze in the hard- est weather, because they reach so directly into the great warm fountain hidden under the surface—-it never fails me. But have we not all noticed the curious fact that men go to the Bible for what they want to find, ra- ther than for what they ought to find? that those who profess the most obso- lute submission to its authority offer generally the finest proper illustration of the supremacy of the soul over the Bible in the way they contrive to make it serve their turn? and that it is by no means impossible to find a du- plicate of the good Scotch woman's minister, of whom she said, "If there is a cross text in the Bible, he is sure to find it and take it for a sermon!" The truth is, the Bible is like a great pasture into which you turn all man- ner of feeders. The horse takes what he wants; so does the cow. The sheep is true to its instinct; so is the goat. And then, last of all, the ass rolls the thistle, like a sweet morsel, under his tongue. So, when a man with a large, sweet nature comes to the Bible, he crops by a sure instinct all the large, sweet passages. The hopeful man finds the hopeful things; the sad man the sorrowful things; the hard man the gritty things; and every man the things that satisfy his crav- ings, though they may in no way make for his peace.—Rev. Robert Collyer.

Saying of Josh Billings.

It is highly important that when a man makes up his mind tew become a raskal, that he would examine his- self closely, and see if he ain't better konstituted for a phool.

I argy in this way-—If a man is right, he kant be too radical; if he is rong, he kant be too conservatiff.

When you pra, pra right at the bull's eye.

It is a very delicate job tew forgive a man without lowering him in hiz own estimashun, and yures too.

It is admitted now by everybody, that the man who can git fat on ber- lony sausage, has got a good deal of dorg in him.

No man luves to get beat, but it is better to be bored with a inch orger than a gimblet.

Don't mistake arrogance for wisdom, meany people thought they wuz wize when they wuz only windy.

Men ain't apt to get kicked out of good society for bein ritch.

The road to Ruin is always kept in good repair, and the taverns pay the expense ov it.

The onla profit there is in keepin more than one dorg, is what you can make on hiz board.

Youn man, study Defference; it is the best cart in the pack.

Honests is the poor man's pork and the rich man's pudding.

There is a luxury in sometimes feel- ing lonesum.

Cowardice of Opiates.

I implore you, do not try morphine ever; no, not once. I will trust you not to do so not to take any opiate whatever. I ask it humbly. Pledge me your word that you will honorably comply with this, in the letter and in the spirit too. It is a wicked and cowardly attempt to rule the spirit by the flesh. It is beneath you. If you do it I can honor you no longer: the results upon the system are slow, sure and irreparable, and the habit grows until it is unconquerable. I am deeply, anxiously in earnest. You are not worthy the fidelity of my friend-ship if you try to drown misery in that way. Except in the grossness of the effect, where is the difference between the opiate and the dram! Do you not know what keeps the gin palaces open? Misery! The miserable go there to forget. You must not, and shall not do it, for it is degradation. I would have you condescend to no miserable materialism to escape your sorrow. Remember what Maria Theresa said when she began to doze in dying. “I want to meet my God awake.” Remember that He refused the medi- cated opiate at the cross. Meet mis- ery awake. May I borrow sacred words: “Having begun in the spirit, do not be made perfect through the flesh.” Summon the force to bear out of your own heart, and the divine that dwells there-—not out of a laudanum bottle. I have spoken ruggedly but not rudely. Forgive me; I am myself to-night: I would gladly sus- tain the depression I feel by opiate, or by anything else; but I resist, because it is despicable.—-Rev. F. W. Rob- ertson.

Read Aloud.

Reading aloud is one of those exer- cises that combine, mental and mus- cular effort, and hence has a double advantage. To read aloud well, a per-

son should not only understand the subject, but should hear his own voice, and feel within him that every syllable was distinctly enunciated.

Reading aloud helps to develop the lungs just as singing does, if properly performed. The effect is to induce the drawing of a long breath every once in a while, oftener and deeper than that of reading without enunciat- ing. These deep inhalations never fail to develop the capacity of the lungs in direct proportion to their practice.

Common consumption begins uni- formly with imperfect, insufficient breathing; it is the characteristic of the disease that the breath becomes shorter and shorter through weary months, down to the close of life, and whatever counteracts the short breath- ing, whatever promotes deeper inspi- rations is curative to that extent, inevitably and under all circumstances. Let any person make the experiment by reading this page aloud, and in less than three minutes the instinct of a long breath will show itself. This reading aloud developes a weak voice and makes it sonorous. It has great efficiency, also in making the tones clear and distinct, freeing them from that annoying hoarseness which the unaccustomed reader exhibits before he has gone over half a page; when he has to stop and clear away, to the confusion of himself as much as that of the subject.

This loud reading when properly done, has a great agency in inducing vocal power, on the same principle that muscles are strengthened by ex- ercise—those of voice making organs being no exception to the general rule. Hence in many cases, absolute silence diminishes the vocal power, just as the protracted non-use of the arm of the Hindoo devotee at length paralyzes it forever. The general plan in ap- propriate cases is to read aloud in a conversational tone, thrice a day, for a minute or two, or three at a time, increasing a minute every other day, until half an hour is thus spent at a time, thrice a day, which is to be con- tinued until the desired object is ac- complished. Managed thus there is safety and efficiency as a uniform re- sult.

As a means then, of health, of averting consumption, of being social and entertaining in any company, as a means of showing the quality of the mind, let reading aloud be considered an accomplishment far more indispen- sable than that of smattering French, or lisping Italian, or dancing cotillions.

True Power.

There is a truly noble sway of man over man; one which it is our honor to seek and exert; which is earned by well doing; which is the chief recom- pence of virtue. We refer to the quick- ening influence of a good and great mind over other minds, by which it brings them into sympathy with itself. Far from condemning this, we are anx- ious to hold it forth as the purest glory which virtuous ambition can propose. —The power of awakening, enlighten- ing, elevating our fellow-creatures may, with peculiar fitness, be called divine; for there is no agency of God so beneficent and sublime as that which He exerts on rational natures, and by which he assimilates them to Himself. This sway over other souls is the surest test of greatness. We ad- mire, indeed, the energy which subdues the material creation or developes the physical resources of a state. But it is a nobler might which calls forth the intellectual and moral resources of a people, which communicates new im- pulses to society, throws into circula- tion new and stirring thoughts, gives the mind new consciousness of its fac- ulty, and rouses and fortifies the will to an unconquerable purpose of well- doing. This spiritual power is worth all other. To improve man's outward condition is a secondary agency, and is chiefly important as it gives the means of inward growth.—The most glorious minister of God on earth is he who speaks with a life-giving energy to other minds, breathing into them the love of truth and virtue, and strength- ening them to suffer in a good cause, and lifting them above the sense of the world.—-Channing

Bangkok Recorder.

This is the 2nd day of the Siamese Sóngk'ran holidays. The term began as we are informed according to His Majesty's astrological calculation a few minutes after one o'clock on Tues- day night, and is to continue for a period of about 100 hours, that is to say until 5 o'clock and a few minutes on Sunday morning the 15th inst.

These holiday seasons commence precisely at the moment when the sun enters the zodiacal sign —— termed in the Bali Soorǎ estimate which al- ways occurs about the 12th of April. The Siamese civil years uniformly begins at this time, and being direct- ed by the sun may be called their so- lar year. But they have also a year governed only by the moon and hence is their lunar year. This, very oddly, always commences at the beginning of their 5th month. These two seasons of New-year are universally observed by the Siamese as holidays. The so- lar New-year is regarded with more reverence and religious ceremony than the lunar New-year but both are large- ly devoted to visiting, sporting and gambling. And as they occur always near together, never more than a month apart, and sometimes not more than 15 days, they are exceedingly annoying to business men from abroad, who are anxious to press forward their work in hand, but cannot, because of the obstinate determination of their Siamese employees to spend the great- er part of the three days of the for- mer, and four days of the latter, in play.

The calculations for the beginning of the Sóngkran or Solar New-year festival are usually made out in readi- ness for publication on the day of the great congregation to renew the oath of allegiance —- which is the 3rd day of the 5th month. The king always in- vites to his palace a large company of Buddhist priests for a royal festival on the occasion for four successive days. Princes, nobles, lords, and people of the more affluent classes very generally have special religious services at their own houses, feast the priests and one another, and play at their games of chance much as on the lunar New-year holidays. The women draw water and bathe the idols, the persons of the priests, the elders of the people, their grandparents, and other aged relatives. They do these things thinking to call down blessings upon those for whose benefit they profess to perform them; but more especially upon themselves and their families by way of recompense—a car- dinal idea in their system of self-right- eousness.

Young Siam and her heir
Apparent.

His Majesty the king of Siam re- turned from Petchaburee on the 8th inst. The royal brass band was on board the royal yacht steamer that bore His Majesty up the river and played charmingly while he passed from the lower end of town to the royal palace, a distance of more than two miles. As we listened to the sweet harmony of the spirit stirring music we could but say within oursel- ves.—Now this is an exhibition of Young Siam. How much is she begin- ning to look and behave like Europ- ean nations! And if she go on in the way of improvements in which she has entered, another fifteen years as since she took it at the beginning of the present reign, and be not only undisturbed by foreign powers, but powerfully aided, as she has been, by freedom of intercourse with them, will she not prove herself worthy of the age in which she lives, and deserve high encomiums from the most enlightened nations! Our feelings towards Siam as she now is and what she promises to be, harmonize in the main with those expressed by one of our corres- pondents in another column of this issue. Never before has she had an heir-apparent of so much promise at the age of 14 years as now in the person of Somdetoh Chowfa-Choola- lon-korn. And if his life be spared (which may Almighty God grant) and his education be continued increasing in thoroughness as he has begun, sus- tained by the presence and power of his worthy sire, we think he will be- come an illustrious prince, and a most worthy heir to the throne of the Pra- báts raised to new life and glory. Our eyes and our hearts fix upon him as the next king of Siam.

Though the sons of other Siamese princes, nobles, and lords are far from being what we could wish them to be, yet they are far ahead of what their fathers were at their age. We regard them, on the whole, as being a very promising generation, and such as should inspire lively hope, and not fear, that they will put their shoulders to the wheel of progress and carry Siam steadily forward in her march of improvement.

Our Papers.

We had brought before as yesterday day a very singular proof that our Siamese semi—monthly paper is doing positive good by its faithful reporting of evil doers. The Siamese govern- ment sent us for tangible evidence of this fact two muskets, two swords, a lot of gold, a piece of white crape, and some other articles which had been rescued from the hands of highway robbers on the canal leading from this city to Maháchai. In one of our Siamese issues more than a month since, we reported a gang of robbers in that region, giving the names of many of them. The verbal message brought us yesterday from the govern- ment was, that she wished us to know that she was on the alert and deter- mined to have justice done to all work- of iniquity and that the most of that band of robbers had been taken and imprisoned.

This simplicity and condescension of government to cheer us on our way was indeed very gratifying. And yet it is passing strange that the same gov- ernment seems to be condemning our papers for their constant influence as is said, in stirring up some public ex- citement with which the king is trou- bled, and many of the chief princes and rulers in Bangkok with him.

We do not at all wonder that they are greatly disturbed by the frequent revelations of corruption that our pa- pers are making; and it pains us ex- ceedingly to do this work. But like faithful surgeons who see no other way to cure than to lance a spreading abscess, and bring out the corruption, and no way to save the body but to amputate a mortified limb, so we feel that we must take the course we do so long as we occupy an editorial chair.

The government appear to be frightened at the revelations we are making, thinking that she will get the name of being the most corrupted in the world. But it is time that she had learned the lesson that the only way to cure this corruption is to ex- pose it to light, and that the light that exposes it should not be blamed, but the men that produce it.

Correspondence.

MR. EDITOR;

"An article which appeared in the Singapore Daily Times, of the 28th ulto. from a correspondent in Siam though it have the appearance of con- veying a good deal of truth, has cer- tainly some things in it quite open to criticism. To say nothing of the troubles in the outer provinces of Siam of which the writer speaks, I think the remarks concerning Young Siam quite too sweeping; and I cannot think the author has critically watch- ed her manly growth or he would never have made the blunder, in say- ing that there are none being trained to fill the places of her presunt rulers. Is it to be supposed that a Monarch whose kingdom has made such pro- gress in the arts and sciences as his has done under the liberal policy of free trade, free speech, free press, free schools, free religion, free con- science, free every thing that does not interfere directly with his gov- ernment is to take no interest in, and make no provision for its per- manency and future welfare? Let that brilliant company of young prin- ces and princesses, sons and daughters of His Majesty the supreme king, more than thirty in number with the heir apparent a remarkably clever lad of 14 years at their head, all training under his own eye, in his own palace by the best European teacher His Majesty is able to secure, answer; And they can do it with a flourish of the pen that would put many of us to the blush. And what of the other princes-—brothers, ne- phews, and cousins of His Majesty? Ask that middle aged portly Prince who is peering into every nook and corner that he may get a little light to shine upon his sons and daughters. See him stepping into your parlor with his great atlas under his arm, school boy like, asking for a minute knowledge of the physical world. How long before the sons of such a prince will see to it that there be a geography translated into their own language? And what shall be said of His Majesty's Prime Ministers-—the one for the Southern division of Siam the other for the Northern? —Prime as these men are, and worthy of their titles is it to be dreamed, even, that they have no sons in their large fami- lies of blooming youth under training to fill their places that time must ere- long vacate? It is a whole sale slan- der to name the thing, and preposter- ous even to dream of it.

Who but with lively sympathy and high regard, can behold Siam's Mon- arch a man of superior talents, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, with an indomitable will for improve- ment, and a soul sufficiently expansive to place his people in the full enjoy- ment of the blessings of the most en- lightened nations; but seeing it yet impracticable, he carries Old Siam in his benevolence, and presses forward Young Siam if possible to keep pace with the high pressure of enlightened Christendom urging him onward and upward in his desires and purposes. He has not only put into offices of trust generally the best and most en- lightened men his kingdom could pro- duce, but he has also sought out and selected many helpers from among his European and American friends. And in making these selections there seems to have been a remarkable cleverness and soundness of wisdom in avoiding national partialities, and keeping up a kind of balancing power among them. One of them trains his soldiers, with his accompanying brass band. Another is Captain in the Royal navy. Another is Commissioner of the Police Force. Another is Har- bor Master and Master Attendant. Another is teacher of His Majesty's numerous and most promising family. Others are preparing books for him on the arts and sciences, literature and reli- gion, and another is foreman in the Royal Printing Office &c. These several aids of which His Majesty has availed himself are so distributed among the different nationalities as that in fact none has greatly, if at all the preminence, although from a curso- ry glance some might think otherwise.

Nothing has been said of the schools in operation for the common classes and the powerful though silent influ- ence they are exerting on Siam's fu- ture well being. Let us then give His Majesty our full confidence and earnest prayers that his precious life may be prolonged, until he see the full accomplishment of his best wishes for the good of his people, and not burden him unnecessarily with our doubts and criticisms. We are prone to err greatly in the exercise of an impatient spirit touching the progress Young Siam is making in her ad- vances towards the higher civilization of European nations. In our ardor we would have her rush on to perfec- tion with a velocity a hundred fold greater than our world's history has ever known.

MR. EDITOR.

SIR:—The kingdom of Siam has been brought into considerable notice during the last few years, but the va- rious publications relating to the country give very little idea of the government except in general terms, and nothing whatever so far as it re- lates to her numerous provinces. In your last issue you refer to the esta- blishment of telegraphs and railways through the country, (which heaven grant may be speedily consummated) but the peculiar relations of the pro- vinces to the central government are said to be such that it is doubtful whether the Court of Bangkok can authorize such works without first consulting those provinces on the subject. This leads to the inquiry, how many provinces has Siam, and what are their relations to the central government ? Any information you can give on this subject, will confer a public good.

LOCAL,

Our contemporary the London & China Express informs us, that Mr. T. W. Smith (Nuk Prat of Bangkok notoriety, or perhaps better known as the Reporter to the Siam Times) has arrived in London from Shanghai bringing home a Chinese dwarf (the same that was exhibited here) aged about 35, and said to be the son of the Pilot who conducted the English fleet into Chusan, and who was dwarf- ed by the Chinese authorities as a punishment for the sin of his father.

We are informed that at a recent meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society, Dr. A. Bastian read a paper in eluci- dation of a number of Indo-Chinese alphabets, collected by him during his sojourn in Burmah, Siam, Cambodia and other parts of Transgangystic India.

Some curious facts were stated, bearing on the history of these alpha- bets, and among others, that in the oldest Siamese stone inscriptions, that of Sukkhothay, all the vowels are written in a line with the consonants, instead of (at least some of them) being placed above or below the line.

Thieves are again at their nefarious work. Dr. Campbell has been rob- bed of his two ponies.

The "Impregnable" will leave for Singapore on Wednesday next.

The Steamer "Chow Phya" left for Petchaburee at 3 A. M. 7th inst. Pas- sengers; Messrs. Blake, Sinclair & Volger.

A "hard case" has been brought to our notice in regard to a seaman lately discharged from the Siamese ship Conqueror. Our readers will remember that this vessel was attack- ed by Pirates and that, after a noble resistance, the marauders were finally beaten off. During the affray the best part of the crew betook them- selves to such parts of the craft as appeared to them the most safe, while the unfortunate fellow of whom we write was one of those who defended the vessel and received a wound in the action. On being paid off, the sum of $10 odd were due to him, which amount was handed to the Doctor for medical attendance upon the wound received while defending the owner's property!!! Can such injus- tice stimulate future crews similarly situated. ?

There are remarkably few fires oc- curring in this dry season in Bangkok. It is, perhaps, attributable to more vigilance of government this year than formerly. We noticed that in the dry season of last year there was a marked improvement in this respect over the year previous. We have heard of no conflagrations of any note from the 6th of last month to the 6th inst. On that day there was a small fire broke out on the opposite side of the river from our office, and burned three houses near the palace of His Royal Highness Krom Mua Oodom.

We learn from reliable authority that a messenger has quite recently arrived from Choong Mai from whom the Siamese government has learned that while the Chief of Choong Mai had in a panic done many things that were wrong, there seems to be no evi- dence that he has ever had any thought of going over to the Burmese for protection. The prospects of war in that quarter appear hence to have happily blown over.

His Excellency Chow Phya Kala- home returned from Petchaburee on the 9th, coming by the inland route via Bagch'ang.

W. H. Reid Esqr. had the pleasure and profit of accompanying H. E. which gave him a good opportunity to see a good deal more of Siam than he could have done had he returned the straight way across the Gulf. Mr. Reid is to remain, we understand, un- til H. S. M's. gunboat "Impregnable" shall sail for Singapore on the 18th inst.

He is now, by the politeness of H. E. occupying a mansion in H. Excel- lency's beautiful garden having his table furnished bountifully by gov- ernment. We learn that His Majes- ty the king has appointed royal com- missioners to meet Mr. Reid in a day, or two for the purpose of settling the terms and conditions on which the Telegraph line from Maulmain to Singapore shall pass through Siamese territory.

An Austrian expedition, composed of the corvette Friedrich and the fri- gate Schwarzenberg, under the com- mand of Rear-Admiral Tegethoff, is to leave the port of Trieste this spring for the Indian and China sea, to nego- tiate treaties of navigation and com- merce with the monarchs of the far East similar to those which the other European Powers have been making for several years past.

We are informed that two men-of- war were to sail from Trieste about the middle, or end of this month (April). The Ambassador is to come Overland to Singapore in June next, and meet the expedition there, and it will first visit Siam to make a Treaty, or go to China and Japan first.

The merchants of Trieste, and amongst them especially Mr. Consul Edmund Bauer, Deputy of the Chamber of Commerce, and partner of the magnificent dock establishment "Stabitiments Ticnico Triestno" have with great energy pushed the Treaty matter, and the enlightened master of Commerce, Baron V. W"allerstoff Urbian, formerly commander of the frigate "Novara" who made the voy- age round the world in 1858, had en- tered upon their proposals with full interest, so that the embassy to the East is fully arranged now.

The Ambassador Chevalier von Scherser was a member of the expedi- tion in the "Novara" and is there- fore well acquainted with the customs of the East.

We are happy to announce that A. Redlick Esq. has been appointed Consul of His Imperial Royal Majes- ty Francis Joseph 1. of Austria, to the Kingdom of Siam.

We have been informed that a Prussian gentleman, a stranger in the country, having but lately arrived from China, was rather rudely treated last evening by a band of Siamese in the front of the Royal palace. Report says that he rode a pony up to the lower guard station, and seeing a wide open- ing to the beautiful lawn in front of the royal palace, and no sign of a living guard, or even a gun, or any thing else intimate to him that he must not ride his pony upon the ground, and no one having informed him that there was any such limitation to his riding, rode in and through nearly to the pa- lace of the 2nd king, and then turned back. But before he got back to the gate, the guard rushed out and arrested him, and talked loudly to him in Siam- ese. He being an utter stranger in Siam could not of course make out what they wanted of him, and found himself in a complete fix. They however, to make a short work of it, lead him and his pony across the lawn to the rear of the residence of Mr. Leomones, and signified to him in some way that he must leave his pony and saddle and bridle with them and make his way home on his own legs as best he could. Finding no one to help him out of his dilemma he walked home and reported the matter to the Prussian consul. We are not informed of the result.

Now we have not the least fault to find with the law against riding in front of the royal palace nor against the good regulations that have been established for the purpose of having that law carried into effect. But we do think that there was in this instance a very inexcusable slackness of the guard at the gate, and that they and not the Prussian gentleman ought to be made to suffer for it ; and then made to understand that one of them at least must always be standing at the gate as men in such stations always do in Europe. We are informed that it is rare to find any one standing at all in the attitude of a sentinel, but generally all lying down. Now we hold that this is not only dishonorable to His Majesty, the porch of whose palace they are appointed to guard but unfaithful to the foreign commu- nity especially strangers riding for pleasure, whom their standing with gun in hand is supposed to warn away from the premises without the ne- cessity of a word spoken.

George Stephenson.

Years went on, and the locomotive was dragging the coal waggons on the tram-road at Killingworth, without any one thinking of the possibility of such a plan being adopted of dragging passenger carriages. The common peo- ple called the engine Puffing Billy, and after a little time curiosity ceased about the matter, until a gentleman of property, named James, discovered —-not the locomotive, but George Stephenson, and had the wisdom to see that he had made a great discovery. This gentleman thought of railways and steam travelling as possible, and in 1818 submitted a plan to public investigation. Another powerful friend rose at this time, Edward Pease, an eminent Quaker, graphically described by one who knew him as " a man who could see a hundred years ahead!" This worthy gentleman, aided by others of his persuasion—-Richardsons, Backhouses, &c., formed the first rail- way company, and the first line of rail laid down, was form Wilton Colliery, near Darlington, to Stockton, and was called in the district "the Quakers' line." The best works the old Ro- mans left were their wars, and the re- suits of those wars are like a tedious fable. We in this age may well look on the first railway with interest, for when the record of our warriors and our victories shall have dwindled into insignificance, these railways will tell to coming generations of the stout hearts, strong hands, and wise heads of the nineteenth century.

There was, of course, plenty of laughter about the railways; people used the word "ridiculous;" some noblemen would not have their fox covers disturbed; others ordered their people to drive off any person making surveys, as trespassers, or summarily to duck them in a neighbouring horse- pond; and pamphlets were written to alarm the public. It was gravely stated, that if railways were formed, it would prevent the cows from grazing, hens from laying, and that the poisoned air from the locomotives would kill the birds as they flew, and render the preserving of game impossible. While householders near the line were told their houses would be burnt up, vege- tation destroyed, innkeepers ruined, and passengers massacred. And when it was known that Mr. Stephenson had said travelers could journey at a speed of twelve miles an hour, there was one shout of laughter throughout the kingdom. But truth, though of- ten impeded, is never overcome. Ste- phenson and his band of faithful friends and scientific allies bore the brant of this ridicule.

No trial that the great engineer ever endured, equalled his examination be- fore a committee of the House of Commons, in March, 1825. He was then forty-four years old, a well- built man with a comely, intelligent face, and mild, prepossessing manners. But his speech retained a touch of his native dialect, and his ideas were swifter and far more powerful than the words that he found to express them. So that confused by many questions, and conscious that he was looked upon doubtingly, he was em- barrassed and did not do himself jus- tice. He wished, as he said, for any hole to creep out of, and would rather have done the very hardest work than have stood before that committee, one of whom asked " if he was a foreig- ner?" another said, " he was mad, and one put this case for his consider- ation, " suppose one of these engines to be going along a railroad at the rate of nine or ten miles an hour, and sup- pose a cow were to stray upon the line, would not that, think you, be a very awkward circumstance?" "Yes," said Stephenson drily "Very awkward indeed" for the cow." The laugh on this occasion was not against the wit- ness, who sadly perplexed as he was, resolved not to be put down, and ulti- mately the bill was obtained for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

That line runs for twelve miles over a bog called Chat's Moss. There never was such a triumph of road-making as carrying a line over that dreadful swamp. It occupied many months, and cost a vast sum of money, but the road was at length safe and good, and it remains the best part of the line. *From this time the fame of the great engineer was established-—his fortune made.

Besides his labours as railway engi- neer, Stephenson is beloved in the north of England for his valuable in- vention of a safety lamp called a "Geordie," and without taking from the great name and merits of Sir Humphrey Davy, whose invention is equally original and efficacious; the Geordie Lamp was in the hands of the manufacturer on the 24th of Novem- ber, 1815 he had been completing it from August of that year, and it was not until after the lamp had been brought into use in the pit on Decem- ber the 3rd, that Stephenton heard of a safety lamp in the course of con- struction by the above-named great chymist.

To trace the progress of the great engineer's success, would be to write the history of railroads in Britain. The high level bridge, Newcastle; the tubular bridge, Menai Straits, are some of the greatest works of fa- ther and son, while the Kilsby Tun- nel, in the excavating of which, the men came upon a quicksand, that then had to pump dry by the labour of 13 engines, 200 horses, 1250 men, night and day for eight months, rais- ing 1800 gallons a minute, seems a labour and expense almost incredible.

It was a fine quality in Mr. Ste- phenson's character, that he liked to aid talent in others. Many young men looked up to him as a father. He promoted their interests, and aided them by his wise advice. He often bore testimony to the power of per- severance, by relating passages in his own life, at the mechanics' and Liter- ary institutions in the north, or near Tapton Hall, his country seat, in Der- byshire, and once, when a Secretary asked how he should announce his name—-What were his ornamental initials? he said " I have no flourishes to my name either before or after, and I think it best you merely say, George Stephenson. It is true I am a Belgian Knight; but I do not wish to have any use made of it." Thus simple, modest, unassuming in his wealthy days as he had been industrious and kindly in his struggling years; he passed on to a genial old age, surrounded by faithful friends, comforted by an affectionate wife; whom, many years after the wife of his youth had passed away, he had sought as the companion of his declining years, and blessed by the dutiful attentions of his congenial- minded child, his son went peacefully down, in the sure and certain hope of a brighter rising to an endless day. After a short illness, he died, of ef- fusion of blood from the lungs, August the 12th, 1848, aged 67.

In all the relationships of life-—as son, husband, father, servant, master, and friend, George Stephenson is a most noble model of a true hearted man His biographer does not tell us of his spiritual or inner life ; but such kindness and goodness do not spring from unaided human nature, and doubtless he could say, " it is by God's grace I am what I am."

[The Writer is indebted to "Smiles' Life of George Stephenson" for the facts recorded.]

The Mexican Question.

A Parisian Correspondent for the Penang Argus Jan. 8th 1866. Says:—-

Among the questions the first and most important is that touching the occupation of Mexico by the French troops, and the future relations of France with the United States. The paragraphs in which the Emperor al- luded to this delicate question are ex- tremely unsatisfactory to all parties. They contain nothing but the reitera- tion of a vague promise made last year, which, in point of fact, amounts to nothing at all. The Emperor was well aware that he was not in a position to say anything definite upon this sub- ject, and would perhaps have passed it over in silence, had it not been necessary to disarm the opposition, and if possible prevent them from ac- cusing him of not fulfilling the promises made to them in the last session. The great mass of the people in this coun- try are strongly opposed to the oc- cupation of Mexico, and all those also know the exact value to be placed upon the Emperor's words, are griev- ously disappointed, for they look into the future, and see no tangible hope of escape from the difficulties into which the Emperor's dangerous and foolish policy must inevitably lead us. Apro- pos of Mexico you will remember that the Emperor Maximilian before start- ing for his new empire placed the Chateau of Merimar at the disposal of the Austrian Imperial family. We now learn that the Archduke, Charles Louis, second son of the Emperor of Austria and his family arrived at the castle on the 10th, with the intention of spending some time there. Query, —Are they warming the house for Maximilian?

The diplomatic documents relating to this question, have been laid by President Johnson before Congress. The notes exchanged between the French government and that of the United States occupy just now the attention of all American, English and French newspapers. It is now manifest that notwithstanding the tranquility and confidence afforded by the French government, the United States, though having but just brought the civil war to a termination, declared that it would never recognize the Emperor Maxim- ilian. The President is desirous of remaining on good terms with France, but this desire will not induce him to sacrifice the Monroe doctrine:-—He has ever regarded the government of Mexico as any other than that of a republic, and when he speaks of Max- imilian he terms him the Archduke of Austria, styling himself Emperor of Mexico. He complains bitterly of foreign intervention in the internal af- fairs of an American people, at all times the ally and friend of the United States, and he omits no opportunity of enu- merating all the acts of cruelty, per- petrated by Maximilian’s lieutenants, against the Mexican officers taken with arms in hands defending their country and lawful government.

The institution of Peonage in Me- xico, which is nothing else but disguis- ed slavery, excites also bitter recrim- inations. An intercepted letter from Capt. Maury, has been published, which is very compromising for the Emperor Napoleon, who is represented as personally interested in this work of Mexican emigration, which is nothing else than a means offered to the slave holders of the South, to escape from the domination of the North, and to avoid the abolition of slavery.

The attitude of the French govern- ment in this correspondence is suf- ficiently humiliating. It is evident that it comprehends the impossibility of any longer carrying on an enter- prise, which became impossible the moment that the North had trium- phed over the South.

Nevertheless it endeavoured to dis- guise from itself the necessity of yield- ing to the injunction of the govern- ment of Washington without at the same time, daring to openly declare itself the protector of Maximilian. It seems probable, that the French gov- ernment has decided on its future line of conduct, and that not being able to overcome the obstinacy of the North, it has made up its mind to with- draw its troops.—-This is at least what we are given to hope from the Imperial discourse on the 22nd instant, and there are more than one reason for supposing, that this time the promise will not be a falsehood, or intended only to keep the opposition in good humour. *****

It is generally believed that the Emperor occupies himself a great deal not only with the internal policy of the country, but also in foreign affairs, and that his ministers are nothing more than his chief clerks. This was true for many years, but in these last eighteen months the Emperor has com- pletely changed, in constitution he has become an old man, and his only de- sire now is to enjoy life tranquilly and die in peace; he always goes to bed before midnight, rises every morning at five o'clock, and spends his morning hours in writing the “Life of Julius Cæsar.” In point of fact he has now what may be called, a from hand to mouth policy, and keeps constantly in his mind the passage from scripture. “Sufficient for the day is the evil there- of.” Sometimes he takes whims and starts, such, for instance as the evac- uation of Rome, at other times he adopts despotic measures, an example of which we have in his speech of to day. There is however one part of the Emperor’s character which always affords him a support on which he can rely and that is his belief in his lucky star. That star he says has never deceived him, and will continue to guide him as the star in the east, did the Magi of old. The people however do not possess the same confidence in the Emperor’s lucky star, as you will see from the following curious cabalistic calculation which is now being circulated in pri- vate, of course this is done with the utmost secrecy. Louis Philippe came to the throne in 1830, and was obliged to fly in 1848. Napoleon III was de- clared Emperor in 1852, and it is predicted that he will fall in 1869.

The Emperor was strongly attached to Mr. Cobden, and at one time Mr Bright held a prominent place in his esteem. The semi-official journals had orders to seek every opportunity of praising him: but the turn of events are now making in England and the power Mr. Bright is acquiring with Lord Russel has somewhat alarmed the Emperor, for he feels certain, and certain it would be, that should Mr. Bright's liberal mênsores succeed in England, a revolution in France would inevitably follow. In my present let- ter the political element has gained the ascendency, but to day the atmosphere of Paris is overcharged with politics and their influence is the more keenly felt as we have just emerged from that state of political torpor, which always precedes the opening of the session But I will now change the subject.

Situation of France with
America.

It cannot be concealed that "the situation," as our neighbours might phrase it, is an awkward one, and can easily be converted into a dangerous one. On the one hand, France has committed herself to an enterprise which was certainly ultra vires; and, on the other, America takes her stand on a doctrine which, as her politicians now interpret it, is unten- able. Neither of the Powers can boast of an unassailable position; but both are determined, at almost any sacrifice of sentiment, to avoid war. There is, however, this material difference in the relative chances of the two Govern- ments—that of the United States is backed by the public opinion, perhaps, it would be more correct to say, the popular passion, of the community, while that of France is condemned by its own subjects.

Under such circumstances, it is not likely that diplomatic differences will be widened into an international rup- ture. Some compromise which will save appearances on both sides will be earnestly searched for, and, we will hope, be ultimately discovered. The danger is that, while things remain in their present state of entanglement, rash and irresponsible zealots may succeed in rousing the pride or kin- dling the resentment of one or the other of the principals in the dispute, and a collision may become inevitable. We trust that Napoleon's good fortune will rescue him from any such calamitous result. But we fear there remains but small chance that his grand experiment will illustrate by its final result the sagacity of his statesmanship. Time and events will be far more likely to prove that Imperialism is a plant which cannot be acclimatised in the northern continent of America; that it demands for its development a far different pol- itical atmosphere; and that, after all, the Latin races will do wisely to ac- cept their "manifest destiny," and not seek for themselves a troublous and uncertain one on the other side of the Atlantic. For ourselves, we should not have been sorry to witness the realisation of the "Napoleonic idea;" but unless we misread the signs of the times, Dis aliter visum, an it is use- less to war against Nature.

Luther and Calvin as
Students.

Luther, when studying, always had his dog lying at his feet, a dog which he had brought from Wartburg, and of which he was very fond. An ivory crucifix stood at the table before him, and the walls of his study were stuck around with caricatures of the pope. He worked at his desk for days toge- ther without going out; but when fatigued, took his guitar with him in- to the porch, and there executed some musical fantasy. (for he was a skill- ful musician,) when the ideas would flow upon him fresh as flowers after a sum- mer's rain. Music was his invariable solace at such times. He was accus- tomed to say that after theology music was the first of arts. Next to music, if not before it, Luther loved children and flowers. That great gnarled man had a heart as tender as a woman's.

Calvin studied in his bed. Every morning at five or six o'clock, he had books, manuscripts and papers carried to him there; and had he occasion to go out, on his return be undressed and went to bed again to continue his studies. In his later years, he dictated his writings to his secretaries; He rarely corrected anything. The sen- tences issued complete from his mouth. If he felt the facility of composition leaving him, he forthwith quitted his bed, gave up writing and composition and went about his out-door duties for days, weeks and mouths together. But when he felt the inspiration fall upon him again, he went to bed, and his secretaries set to work forthwith.

Hurrah.

The exclamation of "Hurrah!" which is so powerfully sounded through the air wherever bravery, courageous audacity and energy are intended to be praised, is a Slavonic term, mean- ing in English, "to the Paradise!" The origin of the word is derived from the primeval idea that every man that dies as a hero for his country will forthwith be transferred to heaven. During the heat of fighting and the struggle of a battle, the combatants will sing out this call with the same religious feelings as the Turks cry their "Allah." The "Hurrah" will fill every warrior with enthusiasm, inspiring him with the hope of ins- tantly receiving the heavenly reward for his bravery. Lo. Co. News.

Birth and deaths.

The births of 2246 children (1149 boys and 1097 girls) were registered in London last week. In the corres- ponding weeks of ten years, 1856-65, the average number, corrected for in- crease of population, was 2081. The deaths registered in London last week were 1569. It was the third week of the year, and the average number of deaths for that week is, with a correc- tion for increase of population, 1641. Whooping-cough is the most fatal disease in the zymotic class, according to the present return, and it is record- ed in 78 cases. There are 69 deaths from typhus; 38 from scarlatina; 38 from measles; 16 from smallpox. To phthisis 165 deaths are referred to bronchitis, 188; pneumonia, 110; to disease of the heart, 59. Seven deaths by carriage accidents in the streets were registered in the week.—-The births registered in London and twelve other large towns of the United King- dom last week were 4568; the deaths registered, 3590. The annual rate of mortality was 31 per 1000 persons liv- ing. The annual rate of mortality last week was 27 per 1000 in London, 26 in Edinburgh, and 31 in Dublin; 44 in Liverpool, 42 in Manchester, 33 in Salford, 29 in Birmingham, 34 in Leeds, 29 in Sheffield, 31 in Bristol, 41 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, 26 in Hull, and 33 in Glasgow.

Gibbon's Confession.

The celebrated Gibbon confessed just before his death, that when he considered all worldly things, they were fleeting; when he looked back, they had been fleeting; when he look- ed forward, "all was dark and doubtful." Surely no one can wish to be an infidel for the comfort of it.

Prices Current.

EXCHANGE-—On Singapore 1 per cent discount. On Hongkong 3 per cent discount.

Odds and Ends.

—A gentleman complaining of the various taxes, says he cannot put on his boots in the morning without a stamp.

—The fellow that doesn't benefit the world by his life, does it by his death.

—Advice is like snow—-the softer it falls, the longer it remains, and the deeper it sinks.

—Those are the best Christians who are more careful to reform themselves than to censure others.

—The best way to do good to our- selves is to do it to others; and the right way to gather it is to scatter.

—It is not enough that you are praised by the good; you have failed somewhere in your duty, if you are not cursed by the bad.

—Washington once said, "If a Dutchman gets rich by keeping a cor- ner grocery, nobody sees anything out of the way in it; but if a literary man gets anything beyond his bread and cheese, gad sir, they put it in the news- papers; it's more wonderful than the great turnip."

Professor W——, of——Universi- ty, is something of a wag, and the boys seldom get the start of him in the way of practical jokes. One day, on-going into the recitation room, Freshman class present, he found a sheep sitting in a chair. His sole remark, addressed po- litely to the sheep, "How are you Freshman;" rather turned the joke on the boys. Similarly, when at anoth- er time opening his desk a goose flew out, "Ah, gentleman, another class- mate, I see!"

—When thou prayest for spiritual graces, let thy prayer be absolute. When for temporal blessings, add a clause of God's pleasure; in both, with faith and humiliation; so shalt thou, undoubtedly, recieve what thou desir- est, or more or better. Never, pray- er rightfully made, was made unheard, or heard ungranted.—-Quartus.

—Why are wheat and potatoes like the idols of old! Because the former have ears and hear not, and the latter have eyes but see not.

—True philosophy has depth with out darkness, but much which passes for it has darkness without depth.

—Brigham Young is indeed a pil- lar of Salt Lake. His idea of a wife is—-Lots.

—Baron Rothschild once complain- ed to Lord Brougham of the hardship of not being allowed to take his seat in Parliament. "You know," said he, "I was the choice of the people." To which the ex-Chancellor, with his usu- al custicasy replyed, "So was Barrab- bas."

Education and Longevity.

A writer in the Atlantic Monthly proves by statistics that man's longev- ity is in exact proportion to his edu- cational attainments, provided his health has not been injured by over mental exertion. It seems that in- creasing intelligence and decreasing war have prolonged the average length of life in Europe from twenty-five years in the seventeenth century to thirty-five in the eighteenth, and to forty-five in the nineteenth. The best educated communities are the longest lived, and the best educated soldiers live amazingly longer than the mere ignorant, and seem to wear a charmed life, not so much against bullet and bayonet, as against the effect of dis- ease, privation and even severe wounds, on their constitutions and lives.

Young Ladies.

A cotemporary discourses in this wise: "The number of idle, useless girls, in all our large cities, seems to be steadily increasing. They lounge or sleep through their mornings and parade the streets during the afternoon, and assemble in frivolous companies of their own and the other sex to pass a way their evenings. What a store of unhappiness for themselves and others are they laying up for coming time, when real-duties and high responsibil- ities shall be thoughtlessly assumed! They are skilled in no domestic duties —nay, they despise them, have no hab- its of industry nor taste for the use- ful. What will they be as wives and mothers? Alas, for the husbands and children, and also for themselves!— Who can wonder if domestic unhappi- ness and domestic ruin follow?"

The Widow's Mite

Covetous people often seek to shel- ter themselves behind the widows mite and to give a paltry sum to benevolent objects, under cover of her contribu- tion. The follow'ng incident has a moral for all such:

A gentleman called upon a wealthy friend for contribution.

"Yes, I suppose I must give you my mite," said the rich man.

"You mean the widow's mite, I sup- pose," replied the other.

"To be sure I do."

The gentleman continued.—-"I will be satisfied with half as much as she gave. How much are you worth?" "Seventy thousand dollars," he an- swered.

"Give me then a check for thirty- five thousand; that will be just half as much as the widow gave, for she gave all she had."

It was a new idea to the wealthy man.

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