Telegrams.

London, 19th Nov.—-General Sher- man remains in Mexico until Juarez is established. Prussia has declined to enter into a Commercial Treaty with Austria. Delay in restoration of North Schleswig to Denmark forms topic of discussion. Princess Dagmar is ill. Marriage festivities suspended.

Terrible hurricane at Nassau.

(Dagmar) to the Czaremnitz (Czare- witch) took place yesterday.

Amnesty procligd (proclaimed) in favor of Cretan insurgents.

Forty-two students arrested in Par- is during Fetes.

Lord Cranbourne offered the Bis- hopric of Calcutta to Doctor Attudy, Dean of Leeds, who has declined it.

The question of indemnity to A- merica for depredations of Alabama, is under consideration of Government.

London November 21st (Morning) -—Mr. S. Fitzgerald gazetted Govern- or of Bombay.

Great Reform Banquet given at Manchester.

Emperor of Austria promises Hun- gary responsible Ministry when dif- ficulties have been arranged.

Efforts are making to compromise differences between Johnson and the Congress.

Decided that Maximillian quits Mexico.

London, November 27th (Morn- ing)-—Morning Herald states Mr. Adams received (revived !) question of “Alabama” claims in a most con- ciliatory and friendly tone.

Government authorize Reform meet- ings of Trades Unions on Primrose Hill.

Neill Brothers estimate the Ameri- can Crop at 2,000,000 Bales.

Fenian outbreak in Ireland appre- hended-—three Regiments despatched thither.

London, Nov, 29th (Afternoon)—- Reported that General Sherman goes to Mexico as fore-runner to an Army of Occupation. Federals have occupied Matamoras. Maximilian believed to be on his way to Europe.

London, 4th Dec.—-Trades Reform demonstration passed off quietly. Wea- ther wet. Procession formed of 25,000 people. America.—-President John- son's message to Congress “reviewed “former Policy of which he urges ad- “option. Receipts for year exceed out- “lay by 158,000,000 Dollars. For- “eign nations of Europe had shown “more just appreciation of the national “character and rights of the Ameri- “cans. France intimated postponement “of withdrawal of French troops from “Mexico until Spring. United States “however remonstrated and expressed “hope that France would reconsider “the subject and conform as nearly as “practicable to the exisiting arrange- “ments and thus meet the just expecta- “tions of American people.” Johnson concluded by stating to Congress that the adjustment of Alabama claims was slow, partly owing to change of Ministry. England has accepted the claims now being considered in a be- coming and friendly spirit.

London, 6th Decr.—-Two more Re- giments ordered to Ireland. Fenian movements continue. Bismarck has recovered. Preparations ordered by France for withdraw of Troops from Mexico. Decrease in Reserve of Bank of England Notes £ 142,000.

Summary.

The Hungarian Diet has been opened. The Emperor's address does not satisfy the Hungarians.

It appears to be still doubtful wheth- er the insurrection in Candia is com- pletely suppressed. The relations be- tween Turkey and Greece are in a cri- tical state.

The news from Spain still indicates an impending revolution. The Queen has declared that she will make no concessions.

It is reported that an attempt is being made to effect a reconciliation between President Johnson and the Congress.

Colonel Ord, C. B., has been ap- pointed Governor of the Straits Set- tlements.

It is generally believed that the Em- peror Maximilian has abdicated and quitted Mexico. General Sherman and Mr. Campbell have left New York for Vera Cruz.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Herald' states that the Em- peror Napoleon has invented a new gun, a breech-loading rifled four-poun- der. Is it extremely light and is to be supplied in large quantities to the army. It is contemplated to transform the heavy cavalry into horse artillery. Armed with this new gun the French army would thus be provided with a weapon that would far exceed in its destructive effects thePrussian zund- nadelgewehr. These guns are prov- ed at Vincennes.

RUSSIA.—-The wedding of the Csarewitch has been celebrated by a comprehensive amnesty to political and other offenders. The Prince of Wales has been splendidly entertained at St. Petersburg, and is now visiting Moscow.

Borneo.

Borneo, with the exception of Austra- lia (now denominated a continent) is the largest and richest island in the world; it extends from 7° North latitude to 4° South and from 109° to 119° East longi- tude. Its broad and deep rivers abound in fish; its forests are stored with the choi- cest timber, spice, fruit, and medicinal trees; its plains are fertile and produce in abundance with the slightest cultiva- tion Sugar-cane, Cotton, Rice, Pepper, Tobacco, and other tropical productions; its mines yield Tin, Copper, Coal, Anti- mony, diamonds and silver; auriferous ranges similar to and a continuation of those of Australia extend, according to Sir R. Murchison, through its centre un- til they are lost among the numerous is- lands in the southern Indian Archipela- go; deer, wild cattle, and hogs, and ele- pha nts, roam through its gorgeous jun- gles; its beaches are covered with turtle; while the pearl banks and beeche-de-mere fisheries, the edible birds' nests and gums, are peculiar to itself and are unequalled elsewhere. Its climate is salubrious, far more so than any other localities in the same latitudes, attributable probably to the elevation of its table lands, and the immediate rise of the shore from the sea. The interior of the island is inhabited by the aboriginal tribes called, indifferently, Dyaks, Muruts, and Idaan. The sea shore on the western side is held by Ma- lays, Illanuns and Badjoes, on the East- ern by Salus and a mixed race. The aborigines are of a similar race to the inhabitants of the surrounding islands, and also New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Feejees, Pagan in religion, sav- age and blood thirsty in nature, with a tendency to cannibalism, but faithful to their words and courteous in conduct to travelers who treat them kindly and manifest no fear of them. The residents on the sea shore acquired their position by right of conquest, and hold it even now, after the lapse of nearly two cen- turies, at the point of the spear. The advantages of trade however serve to keep up a sort of peace, or rather armed neutrality, each being dependent on the other, one for cargo, the other for cus- tomers.

Borneo was very little known to Euro- peans until the year 1839 when Captain Brooke visited and established himself in the province of Sarawak. This was followed soon after by Sir Thomas Coch- rane's crusade against the Malay and Illanun pirates, the destruction of Brunei, Tampasuk and Maroodu, the complete overthrow of the pirate holds, the down fall of the Sultan's power, and the ces- sion of the island of Labuan to the Brit- ish Crown, the particulars of which will be found set forth at length in Rajah Brooke's published journal. In 1841 Mr. Brooke was appointed Rajah of Sarawak by the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifeddin, and in 1863, his authority was formally recognized by Great Britain and the United States.

Slavery exists in Borneo, but in a very mild way, as it is ever found among Ma- homedans. In this respect the Moslem religion fairly puts the Christian to the blush. It has of course been abolished in Sarawak and Labuan and will doubt- less soon be in Ambong and Maroodu. The timber of Borneo is of the finest description and can be procured at a very small expense, in unlimited quanti- ties—the entire demand of all Chinas might be readily satisfied from this source alone on far easier terms than those from any other quarter.

Borneo is mountainous throughout its entire length, though more so from Bar- ram point to the extreme northern point, but the magnificent mountain of Kins- Balu, 13,000 feet high, towers proudly above all the rest as a Brobdignagian chieftain lords it over Lilliputian serfs. This noble peak is distinctly visible in a clear day over 60 miles at sea, possesses rich stores of minerals in its mighty womb, and is destined at no very distant day, to contain the favorite shrine of Hygein, to which all her eager votaries from the lower parts of the China Sea will hasten to pay their humble adoration. Mr. Low, the Colonial Treasurer of La- buan, whose explorations in Borneo, and valuable contributions to the cause of Science therefrom, have inseparably link- ed his name with the scientific history of the island, ascended this mountain sever- al times, and was the first to introduce to the notice of the botanical world the magnificent Nepenthis or Pitcher plant, a flower peculiar to this mountain; of all the species the Nepenthis Lowii is the loveliest and most graceful. The lowest temperature registered by him was 36°5, Fahrenheit, upon the summit. A Sana- tarium on the Marei-Parei Spur, at about 4,800 feet elevation, would be a most delightful resort for the debilitated and fever stricken patients of the East. The climate is delightful, the average of tem- perature is, at daylight 56°: at midday 75°, and at sunset 63°

The principal products peculiar to Borneo AS FAR AS YET DISCOVERED, are the fine white birds' nests, baru camphor gum damar. The entire supplies of the former comestible are now derived from this island; inferior qualities, mixed with feathers, are still brought from other parts of the Archipelago, but the fine quality of nests is Bornean. The baru camphor is too well known in the markets here, to require particular description, but the uninitiated will form an idea of its strength and fine quality, when they learn that while Formosan, or the ordi- nary camphor of commerce, is worth in this market some $20 per PICUL, Bornean camphor sells readily at $36 per CATTY. The gum damar abounds, is of a very clear, white color, and differs in superi- ority of quality from the ordinary damar of the Malay peninsula. The other ar- ticles of export are gutta percha, Indian rubber, gum Benjamin, rattans, cubebs, cassia bark, sago, pepper, wax, cotton, rice, tortoise shell, pearls, beche de mer, ivory, tobacco, spices mahogany, lignum vitæ, (abastard species) Puon and cam- phor wood.

Nothing but the unconquerable indo- lence of the natives prevents this Coun- try from being the centre of a traffic, as far superior to that of China and Singa- pore as a mountain surpasses in magni- tude a mole hill. The decline of North- ern Borneo as a great commercial em- porium, dates from the expulsion and extermination of the Chinese, who once possessed and civilized nearly the whole of the Northern sea Coast, both on the Eastern and Western shores. Their own arrogance and presumption led to their overthrow, and it is estimated that up- wards of 60,000 perished under the creeses and parangs of the warlike Ma- lays, whom they had endeavored to brow- beat and oppress. Traces of their oc- cupation are every where found, and even the language and religion linger among the inhabitants of the interior. The Chinese can only exist out of China in peace, as a servile race: if allowed any ascendancy, or even equality with other races, murder and rapine at once assume the sway. Witness the districts of their own country, where the yoke of the Tartar conqueror is in the least de- gree lightened or becomes weakened, the Taeping or Nienfei springs into ex- istence at once. Witness the Chinese insurrection at Sarawak, in 1857, when Rajah Brooke was reduced to such ex- tremity, as to be compelled to swim a small river to save his life; and nothing but the opportune arrival of the Borneo Company's steamer saved the European population from extermination nor was it until upwards of 7,000 Chinese had fallen under the spears and sumpitans of his gallant Dyak warriors, that he was enabled to recover his authority and drive the remnant of the rebels across the frontier into Sambas. Witness Hong- kong, where since the introduction of Exeter Hall ethics, and the decoration of the seats of Justice with festoons of red tape, the public streets at certain points are tabooed to the European un- provided with a revolver, and where pirates' craft are fitted out, with the scarcely-concealed intention of preying upon the peaceful trader leaving the harbor, and returning expose, unchecked, the fruits of their raid publicly in the bazaars for sale, still stained with the blood of their murdered victims. No! the Chinese are neither pleasant neigh- bors nor good colonists, and better far that the sensual doctrines of Mahomet or the rude creed of the honest unbe- liever should prevail in Borneo, than the polished barbarism and refined wicked- ness of the Buddhist should hold sway. The Moslem and the Idolater may be honestly converted from the error of their ways, a votary of Buddha seldom or never.—Ov. CHINA MAIL.

Gait, an Indication of
Character.

Observing persons move slow, their heads move alternately from side to side while they occasionally stop and turn round. Careful people lift their feet high and place them down flat and firm. Sometimes they stoop down, pick up some little obstruction and place it quiet- ly by the side of the way. Calculating persons generally walk with their hands in their pockets and their heads slightly inclined. Modest persons generally step softly for fear of being observed. Timid persons often step off from a sidewalk on meeting another, and always go round a stone instead of stepping over it. Wide awake persons "toe out," and have a long swing to their arms, while they shake about miscellaneously.

Careless people are for ever stubbing their toes. Lazy persons scrape about loosely with their heels, and are first on one side of the walk and then on the other. Very strong minded persons have their toes directly in front of them, and have a kind of stamp movement. Un- stable persons walk fast and slow by turns. Venturous persons try all roads, frequently climb the fences instead of going through the gate, and never let down a bar. One idea persons and very selfish ones "toe in."—-Cross persons are apt to hit their knees together.

Good-natured persons snap their fing- ers every few steps. Fun loving people have a kind of jig movement.

Reductio ad Absurdum.

"He who would thrive must rise at five." So says the proverb, though there is more rhyme than reason in it; for if,

He who would thrive must rise at five, it must follow, naturally,

He who'd thrive more must rise at four; and it will insure a consequence that,

He who'd still more thriving be, Must leave his bed at turn of three: And who this latter must outdo, Will rouse him at the stroke of two.

And, by way of climax to it all, it should be held good that He who'd never be outdone, Must ever rise as soon as one.

But the best illustration would be He who'd flourish best of all, Should never go to bed at all.

Sharp Advice.

GENERAL C-—gave his black man, Sawney, funds and permission to get a quarter's worth of zoology at a mena- gerie, at the same time hinting to him the striking affinity between the Simia and negro races. Our sable friend soon found himself under the canvass, and brought up in front of a sedate-looking baboon, and eyeing the biquadruped closely, soliloquized thus:

“Folks, sure's your boun; feet, hands, proper bad countenance, just the nigger gettin' old, I reckon.” Then, as if seized with a bright idea, he extended his hand with a genuine Southern “How d'ye do uncle?” The ape clasped the negro's hand and shook it long and cordially.

Sawney then plied his new acquain- tance with interrogations, but eliciting no replies beyond a knowing shake of the head or a merry twinkle of the eye, (the ape was probably meditating the best way of tweaking the darkey's nose,) he concluded that the ape was bound to keep noncommittal, and looking cauti- ously around, chuckled out: “He, he, ye too sharp for them, old feller, keep dark; if ye'd jist speak one word of Eng- lish, white man have a hoe in yer hand in less than two minutes.”

Scotch Minstrels.

M. D. Conway, in closing a letter to the ROUND TABLE, from Scotland, says: It is a considerable compensation for much discomfort, that one finds every evening male and female minstrels— generally a violinist and a woman's voice —singing sweetly all the Scottish ballads. These are the only concerts that the peo- ple have here, and they gather around these minstrels in large crowds, nearly all giving a penny or half penny. There is a woman who sings every evening un- der our window, who has such a beautiful voice that I am sure it would have made her fortune had she been born in Italy. She sings without ever getting out of voice, the dear old ballads of her country, and with an indescribable pathos.—She is seemingly the daughter of a grey-haired old man, who goes about with her and accompanies her voice tenderly with his violin. She is about twenty years of age, and has a sweet, homely Scotch lassie's face, and an unpretending garb. No or- ator ever moved a crowd more then she did when last night she sang "Highland Mary." A fashionably dressed woman passing with her husband on the street, had paused to listen to the singing. She then came forward through the hundreds who had collected, slipped a coin into the singer's hand, and then whispered some- thing in her ear. It was probably a re-

quest that she should sing "Highland Mary." At any rate, the minstrel broke forth with that charming hymn of human love just blooming into the love divine, and poured her whole soul into it. Each note seemed to float up winged into the moonlight; every noise was hushed all along the street, and the very surges of the Frith seemed to pause. As she went on, many a tear must have been born in the silence, and many a heart been thrilled. When it was over nearly every one came forward with his or her tribute—even the children with their half pence. Through- out the country the old ballad tunes and music of Burns are still sung with ac- curacy and feeling by the working people. The fishing people, particularly, sing them all the day long. I have often had occasion, roaming about Scotland, to remember the best thing that George Gilfillan ever said—that Robert Burns had set the pulses of human heart to music.—Lo. Co. News.

A Chinese Story.

Men cannot conceive of a state of things so fair that it cannot be realized. Can any man honestly consult his ex- perience and say that it is so? Have we any that facts to appeal to when we say that our dreams are premature? Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and find there was no advantage in them? that it was a vain endeavor? To look at litera- ture—how many fine thoughts has every man had! how few fine thoughts are ex- pressed!—Yet we never have a fantasy so subtile and etherial, but that TALENT MERELY, with mere resolution and faith- ful persistency, father a thousand failures, might fix and engrave it in distinct and enduring words, and we should see that our dreams are the solidest facts that we know.—THOREAU.

Odds and Ends.

—A sermon in four words:—"Shrouds have no pockets".

—When an extravagant friend wishes to borrow your money, consider which of the two you would rather lose.

—The difficulty of the English language which a foreigner must experience, is well illustrated by the following ques- tion:—"Did you ever see a person pare an apple or a pear with a pair of scissors?"

—Every day in thy life is a leaf in thy history—a leaf which shall once be turn- ed back to again, that it may be seen what was written there; and that what- ever was written may be read out in the hearing of all.—TRENCH.

—John Stuart Mills told an opponent in the house of Commons that "the con- servative party is from its constitution, necessarily the stupidest party, which insures its being always an extremely powerful party."

—It is the duty of each member of the Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary to write an annual letter, stating whether she is married or single, and other parti- culars concerning her status and progress. A young lady of the class of 1861 has just written to the class secretary that she is not married, but that she thinks she can see a little cloud that ariseth out of the sea of the future, like a man's hand.

—Out of the bible have come all pure moralities. From it have sprung all sweet charities. It has been the motive power of regeneration and reformation to millions of men. It has comforted the humble, consoled the mourning, sustain- ed the suffering, and given trust and triumph to the dying. The wise old man has fallen asleep with it folded upon his breast. The simple cottager has used it for a dying pillow; and even the innocent child has breathed his last happy sigh, with his fingers between its promise freighted leaves.

—A western editor, while taking a snooze after dark, traveling in a railway carriage, had his pocket picked. The thief next day forwarded the wallet by express to the editor's office, with the following note:

"You miserable skunk, here's yer poc- ket book. I don't keep sich—For a man to go round dressed as well as you was, with a pocket with nothing in it but a lot of new paper scraps, an ivory tuth comb, two new paper stamps, and a pass for a railroad direcktur, is a contempterble imposition on the publick. As I hear yer an editor, I return yer trash—I never robs any but gentlemen."

—Question for Napoleon—How many millions does it take to make a Maxi- milian?

—A gentleman walking with two ladies, stepped on a hogshead hoop, that flew up and struck him in the face. "Good gracious!" said he. "Which of you dropped that?"

—What word is that in the English language, the first two letters of which signity a man—the three first a woman— the four first a great man—and the whole a great woman?—Heroine.

Bangkok Recorder.

Our Apology.

[The following is a copy (or as nearly so as a rough draft of the original and our own memory enables us to give) of an apology which we sent to M. Aubaret the French Consul for the reports we had heard and published under date of Dec. 20th concerning his interview with His Maj- esty the king of Siam on the 13th or the 14th ulto.]

MONSIEUR AUBARKT
FRENCH CONSUL

you will allow me through J. M. Hood Esq. U. S. Consul, to come in this way before you for the purpose of offering some explanation, and proposing some amicable settlement of the affair in which you feel that I have aggrieved you. After further and careful inqui- ry I am now inclined to think that the reports which I made in the Bang- kok Recorder of the 20th ulto. were based on some mis-understanding of the true sense of that part of your con- versation with His Majesty the king of Siam relating to H. E. the Prime Minister.

The Siamese government affirms that there was a great mistake made in this matter, and there seems to be collateral evidence that what it affirms in regard to that point is true—-to wit -—that you did not demand or even request that H. E. should be remov- ed from his place as Premier, but on- ly that he should be removed from his post as Chief Commissioner in refer- ence to the Cambodian Treaty.

For any expressions in the article with which you feel aggrieved, and which may not be true, and in regard to which I have been mis-informed, I am willing to make all reasonable apol- ogies and corrections.

Allow me to declare unto you that my only object in writing that article was to perform faithfully what I regar- ded my duty as a public recorder.

New Year's Compliments.

As this is the last sheet of the Bang- kok Recorder which we shall issue, we beg now to return to our subscrib- ers our sincere thanks for the support they have given us during the last year. And to the proprietors of the numerous exchanges—semi-monthly, weekly, and semi-weekly, from vari- ous parts of this eastern world which they have very generously sent us as contributions for the support of our infant enterprise in this great heathen metropolis, would we herewith tender our most hearty acknowledgments.

Our reasons for now leaving this de- partment of service have already been given in a previous issue. Though other cares of a more obligatory char- acter call us away from the infant paper, the child we think will not die. We look upon it as but sleeping quietly in its cradle, waiting for other nurses more skillful, we hope, than ourselves, to come to wake it out of sleep, and to rear it up to vigorous manhood. It may be God would have it nurtured under a different nation- ality as it might enjoy more freedom for rapid expansion under the English flag than the American. If so, His will be done.

And now it remaineth only that we wish each of our patrons and other readers and friends a Happy New Year of probation for an eternal series of blissful years and cycles in the kingdom of Heaven.

As we were going to have no more opportunity to publish the last chap- ter of our glances from the Broadway of Bangkok, we have thought it better to finish up our original plan even at the risk of being thought tedious. We have wished in writing these sketches not only to give our readers abroad some accurate knowledge of this most extraordinary city, but also to set up some permanent way-marks as memorials for our successors thirty years hence, to show them what the Broadway of Bangkok was in the end of the year of our Lord 1866, and what wonderful changes shall have then passed over the city. We fancy that all the floating houses will then have gone into oblivion. That the banks of this magnificent river flow- ing on forever, will have been strong- ly diked, with beautiful streets on each, and blocks of splendid brick buildings on the inside of them, all the distance which we have measured in our glances. Good streets are now fast coming into use even in Bangkok, and when their reign shall have been fully inaugurated, there can remain but little more utility for floating houses. These most singular human dwellings and mercantile shops doubt- less came into use because the heath- en little thought of ever having any wheel-carriage roads. They scarcely knew of other pleasure carriages than boats. And it was indispensable that their main mercantile shops and vari- ety stores should be located on the great thoroughfare of the city, the most conveniently arranged to invite customers. Hence the existence of floating houses where goods all hours of the day are exposed with the great- est particularity, and perspicuity, so that in gliding leisurely along, in front of them one can usually see the articles he wants without asking for them. But the greatest change we conceive that shall then have taken place in Bangkok will be that the city will be a Christian city. O how love- ly would Bangkok become when ruled thoroughly by the principles of the gospel! We hope soon to see this change from the battlements of heav- en, when the Lord Jesus shall have utterly abolished idolatry have as he has done in the Sandwich Islands.

A glide up the Broadway
of Bangkok.

We propose now to report another chapter of our glide up the magnific- ent Menam within the great metro- polis. We will resume our sail where we stopped our last report, to wit op- posite the store of Messrs Malherbe Jullian & Co. on the eastern side of the river.

The broadway at this point is not far from a third of a mile wide, ex- tending nearly north and south, and is so deep as to admit of the largest merchant ships lying quite close in shore.

In passing up northerly from this starting place, you will see on your right hand a large one story dwelling enclosed with bamboo occupied by Capt. J. Hodgeton proprietor of the European Steam-tug boat, plying be- tween the city and the Bar.

Next above this comes the Billiard room of C. Falck lately fitted up by converting a wooden go-down into a tasty and lively looking hall, its front being close to the river, with quite an inviting landing. Of the opera- tions of the establishment we know next to nothing, and cannot hence safely indulge in any comments, only so far as to say that we have no sym- pathy with billiard rooms as we be- lieve them to be usually conducted for gambling purposes.

Passing a bamboo go-down in close contact with the billiard room, a building having a fearfully combusti- ble look in this dry time, you come in front of the dwelling of the Har- bor Master, an isolated two story brick edifice, standing between two long and narrow buildings of the same hight which face each other across the front yard of the former. The one on the lower side is partly occupied as office rooms for the Har- bor Master, and the one on the upper side, is now occupied in part for the Custom House.

The next object of particular in- terest on this side is the mouth of the canal Padoong kroong krasem, excav- ated early in the present reign. It has become a place of much business, and furnishes very many eligible situations in its extent of two or three miles, for hand rice-mills, fruit-orchards, gar- dens, family residences and temples. It is simply an artificial cut across the thick neck of a large bend of the river, and is truly a great internal improvement upon the last reign.

On passing the mouth of the canal you next come to the establishment of Messrs A. Markwald & Co. where both the * Austrian and Prussian con- suls display their colors on becoming flagstaffs, the former on the lower side, the latter on the upper. The building is of wood, two stories, large and roomy and covered with attap palm leaves. Though of the usual sombre-weather,

* The Netherlands and Hanseatic Con- sulatos which we inadvertently omitted to mention in a previous chapter are both represented at the Houses of Pickenpack Thies & Co.

beaten aspect of nearly all the native buildings, a little paint in front with a tasteful arrangement of trees and shrubbery about it, gives it quite a European air.

Next above this is the dwelling of R. S. Scott & Co. which is apparently the twin sister of tho house just be- fore named. It is here that Denmark is represented by her consul, and dis- plays her colors. It was peculiarly interesting to notice day by day for these last two years the flaunting en- signs of three kingdoms whose politi- cal collisions have made Europe to quake much of that time, standing so closely and quietly together, as though all at home were peace.

Glancing a few rods further up on the same side, you will notice an- other Roman Catholic church about the same size, and much in the style of the one mentioned previously nearly half a mile below. There is in its vicinity a large Portuguese settlement.

Next above this are the Siam Iron Furnaces, at which all the iron kettles and other iron vessels of Siamese man- ufacture are made. The buildings are now new and chiefly of solid brick work, it being a great improvement on what it was before the two great fires within three years which swept off a host of old bamboo and attap sheds and huts.

Passing the Iron works a little, you come to quite a huddle of native square-rigged vessels, junks, lighters, etc. packed close in shore, so as quite to confound the river view of the buildings on land. Occasionally you can get a peek at some of them, but they are in a state of great heathenish confusion with scarcely a pleasant sight for a quarter of a mile or more.

But it is time that we have another glance on the western side of the river. As remarked in our previous report the line of floating houses is almost unbroken on this side as far as this northern and southern reach of the river will allow you to look. You will notice here and there at rather long intervals, long brick go- downs in the rear always extend- ing inland with one end to the river. Other parts are thickly stud- ded with small two story dwellings, mostly of wood, thatched with attap leaves, and consequently all of the same old hay-stack complexion. You will often see these houses standing behind one another as it were, from six to ten in number, all occupying a space extending along the bank from ten to twelve rods in width. And yet among all these you will scarcely find either in front or in the rear a street that you could ride a horse upon. They are nearly all mere foot paths with the least possible degree of order. And this state of things extends for miles up and down on that side of the river. A little behind these houses you will see or- chard trees of rich foliage lifting up their graceful tops affording an agree- able relief to the dullness and confus- ion of heathen houses.

Sailing up a little further, and looking to the eastern side again you will notice a large Wat occupying a broad frontage on the river, but with little apparent order or beauty, with native vessels of all kinds huddled in front. It is called Wat Sampeng.

Passing this but a little you come to the beginning of the Eastern line of floating houses. And just here the river takes a turn and extends N. W. & S. E. You are now three quarters of a mile from the British Consulate and a mile and a half below the palace of the first king. You now see a per- fect line of floating houses on both sides of the river until your view is obstructed a mile above by a turn of the river to the north. You cannot but observe that the population of the eastern side of the river is in this part of the city much more dense, and deep inland than the eastern. With the exception of here and there a brick house with tiled roof, the houses are nearly all of wood and thatched with attap, and hence have a fearful look of combustibility in a dry time of two months like the present. The great Bazar street is about fifty rods in the rear on this side and passes nearly parallel with the river. All the space between it and the river is intensely packed with small bamboo and teak-wood attap-thatched houses. The few brick houses of the same hight make but little show, as they are nearly all crowded by old bamboo huts, hovels, and sheds. Besides here and there a narrow canal, full of small boats of merchandize, there is scarce-

ly any access to the Bazar but by the most cramped and ill repaired foot paths.

Gliding up another half mile you come opposite to Wat Samplume on the eastern side. The temple is situ- ated forty rods from the bank of the river, having a narrow foot bridge over a mud-flat of about sixty yards The chief Pagoda of the temple is one of the most imposing in the city. It was in one of its niches that the late pretended Buddhist miracle was displayed for many weeks in succes- sion. This mud flat extends for a mile or more up and down on that side, and is closely occupied with wooden houses standing as it were on stilts. Their posts, instead of being framed into sills and these resting on some suitable under-pinning, are sunk into the mud from three to five feet, and the sleepers of the only floor framed into them is as to be above the highest tides in December. Hence you may see, much of the time, an open space below the floor of six or eight feet. Such are the houses that originated and have propagated even till now the idea abroad, that the whole of Bangkok is standing on stilts over vast mud-flats, than which there was scarcely never a greater mistake. The cause of this mud-flat about which we are speaking is simply that the land on that side has, for scores of years, been making into the river, while that on the opposite side has been wearing away. Aside from such flats, now on the eastern side, an now a mile below on the western, the building sites of Bangkok are on as good terra firma as in any city in the world.

Shanland Sketches.

Perplexities excite the mind to think and devise. It was so with me the other morning. I went out for an early walk on business. My way was on the path by the new canal. I walk- ed up the side nearest my home and came to the crossing that must take me to the other side. A single plank over the great canal, and high up from the water and this was slippery. Oh no! no, said I to myself, I do not wish a plunge bath from so great a height this cold morning. I must try some better way. So I turned backward, crossed over the fine bridge, went up the palace road a little, turned down a path back to the canal and was all right without any head dizziness.

And then I began to think and plan somthing in this train. Bangkok is a growing city. It is being rapidly built up with substantial brick dwellings, especially on the king's road and vicin- ity. In this section certainly the city should be laid out into buildingsquares, with fine broad streets between the river and the market street, and be- tween the market street and the new road. If the streets could be blocked out now, it would save a deal of trouble in after time, in pulling down the old to make improvements.

A thing may just as well be hand- somely and conveniently arranged as otherwise, if time is taken by the fore- lock. Where do we in Bangkok propose to have market street a hun- dred years hence? Where do we propose to have the beautiful river re- sidences? What parts are to be given up for traffic in wholesale? Where are to be the big warehouses and the din of trade? And where the forts that are to give defence? Where the great parade ground for the military department? Where the Academy halls? Where the state buildings in which rulers and judges are to make laws and dispense justice? Where those necessary build- ings that require most thought of all, that are to provide for the sick, the sentenced and the unfortunate? Asy- lums are among the great necessities of the land.

Could these things be planned for, and roads and streets and groves and gardens be made with reference to them, the city would grow up strong and beautiful, and become e'er long a beautiful thrifty place for trade, and a growing thrifty country in every de- partment.

The residence of the Master of police and that of the Harbor Master seem the natural boundaries between the old and the new. The vicinity around and above and below these points are destined to great improvements in coming time. Beginning from the new iron bridge in the vicinity of the head station of the master of police, there is every facility to make a fine location. Above this point, first is the river affording beautiful frontage to fine residences. Cross streets from this should meet market street, and then across from market street to Palace road, and from Palace road to the canal, till this section should be filled with substantial brick blocks for stores and residences.

The section contiguous to the Mas- ter of police, down the river, seem de- stined to be Consular squares, where all foreign residents shall find protect- ion and justice. It ought therefore to be distinguished for fine buildings and most commanding residences. Other business here, must give place to law and order and quiet reign, while the great shall think and plan and devise.

Below the Consulates, business on a large scale will take the lead, and whoever passes by on the river will expect to hear the din of business and the click of machinery. Down, down let the march of progress make its way till the great bend ache with the pro- duce it bears on its way to the great ocean, to go forth to supply others and enrich ourselves.

Already there are a great many foreign business men clustered below the Consulates. If all were church going men, the little Protestant church would scarcely hold the half of them; and anon we should see broad found- ations laid for a towering church, and the present little unobtrusive structure become a quiet gathering place for evening lectures and meetings for con- ference.

I am astonished that the Chandler Mansion is not taken up before this, as a residence of some great business man, that purposes to command the point between that and the new road; and make a great speculation by buying up and laying out these grounds to be afterwards sold for advantageous business purposes and residences.

The opposite side of the river is better adapted for the native popula- tion, and therefore affords missionary stations to those who propose to give themselves to the moral and religious advancement of the permanent resi- dents, the subjects of the kingdom.

There is at present a path all along the river. It ought to be a good road, and easy communication secured both by water and land all the way up to the great business land, and from thence on and on up to Bangkok's No1.

The vicinity of the Wichayen Fort, the present location of the Mission of the American Missionary Association, brings the missionary in communica- tion with all western inland Siam. It is at the mouth of the great western canal between the Chow Phya and Tachcon, bringing productions from the west to Bangkok. Boats anchor here to take their bearings and decide to what part of the city to take their pro- duce, and may receive the saving mes- sage. The missionary here, too, comes in direct communication with the rulers and nobility of the country, and there- fore needs great power and forethought to turn every event to the best advan- tage.

The Presbyterian Mission far down the river opposite the Chandler Man- sion, have a fine location for schools and book making for supplying the different out-stations they are now plan- ting with great hope.

The Baptist Mission still have their location where they first commenced the pioneer station in the rear of the Portuguese Consulate, now on the right of H. B. M's Consulate. They have a Chinese outpost up Market street in the heart of the Chinese po- pulation, and a commodious station on the king's road in the rear of the English Consulate, which is thronged with visitors of many nations every day of the week.

We are hopeful for Bangkok at the present time. We only need faith and good works, and progress must be the characteristic in every department. Shoulder to shoulder, let those who wish good to this people go forward, and devising liberal things, each strive to do his best and emulate each other to love and good works.

Reform supposes changes. But if God is at the helm and directs the whirlwind and guides the storm, when the storm is over we shall see a good secured. A man may be driven from a fine home, but if he thus gets a more influential position where he can do more for God and his fellow men, let him laugh at the storm and welcome change. What can be done to secure the greatest good, should be the uni- versal inquiry, and then press on to its accomplishment, looking to God for strength to do, and reward for labor.

Glide up the Broadway of
Bangkok.

Passing up a few rods further, you will find yourself opposite the mouth of the old canal which makes a much shorter cut across the neck of the bend of the river than the one we above noticed. The space included within this and the river is the site of the city-proper which is enclosed with a brick wall about 12 feet thick and not far from the same in length, you will observe that this canal is packed with trading boats on both sides, and nearly every foot of ground occupied with bamboo and teak-wood houses as far inland as you can see.

Looking over to the opposite side of the river, you will have much the same scenery as we have already described on that bank below, but with a greater proportion of substan- tial brick houses. The line of float- ing houses is but little broken until you reach the upper fort on that side a mile and a half from the Prussian Consulate. A little below a point op- posite the canal which forms the southern and eastern boundary of the city proper is Mussulman Square. It is a series of some 18 or 20 Mus- sulman shops in two long blocks of two story brick buildings with one end of each near the river, the other inland, facing each other over a small square plot of commons, which is all ways crowded with lumber in the greatest confusion.

Passing thence on that side up- ward some 20 rods you come to a small and very neat Mahomedan mosque. And but a few yards above that, is the mouth of a canal leading to the mansion of H. E. the late Somdetch Ongnoi, and to a temple built by him a little more inland with a lofty Pagoda.

Ten or fifteen rods above this is the palace H. E. the late Somdetch Ongyai, and now occupied by several members of his numerous family. A Raymond D. Honey & Co. occupy a part of it for their variety store of European goods, and a very eligible situation it appears to be for their business.

Passing upward six or eight rods further, you come to the residence of H. E. Chow Phya P'raklang minister for Foreign affairs. There is nothing in the least inviting in his front, and all is rather plain within. H. E. seems decidedly to prefer expending his money on Buddhist temples, especial- ly on the Pra-p'atom monument to much outlay on his own palace or personal equipage. He has no children to claim his care and providence, and consequently feels quite free to make such a pious disposition of his wealth.

The next place of note above the Praklang's; is the landing for the temple of the late Somdetch Ong-yai. The temple is 30 or 40 rods from the river. One of the most lofty pagoda spires in the city is now being finished on that temple ground. The wharf and go-down of the Str. Chow Phya is next above this landing, and then you come to the old brick buildings fitted up for the accomodation of the am- bassadors from Europe in 1855. It was, prior to that, denominated the British Factory, as it was then the on- ly place in the city where English merchants did any business. A few steps above this place is a small canal which conducts to H. E. Chow Phya Kalahome's Palace, not far from a quarter of a mile inland. You can scarcely discern any part of it as you glide along in an ordinary pleasure boat

We come now on the western side of the river to a large Portuguese settlement, commonly denominated Santa Cruz. Here you will observe one of the largest Roman C. Churches in Bangkok built of solid brick work, and as usual with all the church edi- fices of this persuasion in Bangkok, without any spire. There are but two or three brick dwellings in all the settlement. One of these is at pre- sent occupied by the firm of Maherbe Julian & Co. for both a family dwel- ling and a variety store. The Por- tuguese houses generally can scarcely be distinguished from the dwellings of the poorer classes of the heathen. The village was entirely burnt up two or three years since, and there does not appear to have been any im- provement made in the style of the houses by the rebuilding.

But it is time to turn and note a few points on the eastern side of the river. Exactly opposite the wharf of the Chow Phya is the beautiful man- sion of Pra Parsee Sombat (Poh- yim) one of the chief owners of the Str. Chow Phya, which is getting herself a great name as a prompt and fleet mail-boat between this and Sing- apore. A little below, this is the landing of Wat Leapa [?] temple situated some distance from the river and nearly hidden from view from the river. Her tall Pagoda, however, is always commanding. You will here and there in that vicinity see behind the dense bamboo and teak houses a few of the embrasures of the city wall. Substantial brick houses are per- haps more frequent in this vicinity for an extent of a half mile or more than we found them on either side below. But they are generally quite disfigured by a crowd of ugly bamboo houses, huts, sheds, etc. hid- ing all about them.

Proceeding from Poh-yim's upward you presently come to the floating market consisting of a long tier of small boats with round bamboo covers. They are fastened to the line of floating houses. In these are various native commodities offered for sale—-as dried fish, onions, potatoes, garlic, red-pepper squashes, melons, bananas, oranges, pomeloes, arrow-root, tamarinds, beans, peas, birdsnests, betelnut, tobacco, etc. Early every morning a multitude of small sampans come from all quarters with other varieties of eatables and offer them for sale in that vicinity. Immedi- ately behind this market are several palaces of princes and nobles; but there is nothing at all imposing in any of them excepting the new brick man- sion of Phya Buroot, which is quite European in style.

At a point very nearly opposite to this, on the western side, is the mouth of the large canal, Bangkok-yai. Im- mediately below this is temple Kan- laya which is quite a neat and tasty establishment. On the upper side of the canal's mouth is the old fort built by Weecha-yen about A. D. 1850. And just behind it, but quite hidden by fruit trees, is the mission of the American Missionary Association, and the office of the Bangkok Recorder. This is a little more than two miles above the British Consulate.

Passing on above the fort 8 or 10 rods you come opposite the palace of H. R. H. Krom Hluang Wongsa on the west—-the site of king Phya Tak- sin's palace. And next above this is Wat Chaang one of the most richly endowed temples in Bangkok. Its chief pagoda is about 200 feet high. The frontage of the temple on the river is broad, and the court grounds very fine.

Directly opposite to this, on the eas- tern side is Wat Poh, perhaps richer than the one just named, but with a frontage on the river much less impos- ing. In one of the largest buildings of this temple is the famous recum- bent idol 150 feet long and otherwise well proportioned. Just above this temple you come to the international court house, a very respectable brick, building and quite European in its style. There are many other brick buildings going up a little above it, on a place which has been swept by fire twice or tree times within the space of five year. The lines of floating houses on both sides of the river are quite broken in this vicinity, by the frontage of temples and princes' palaces, and this state of things continues for nearly two miles above Wat Chaang.

Gliding upward a quarter of a mile from this you will find yourself opposite the palace of the first king of Siam. We have no time nor space to attempt a discription of the place, only to say that you have a confused sight of many imposing buildings connected with it, since large boat sheds and other bam- boo and brick buildings without little symmetry or order, stand in front of them. But it should be stated that this side of the royal palace, though on the great Broadway of Bangkok is not considered the real front. The true front is inland a quarter of a mile on the opposite side, where there is a fine street on terra firma and a very agreeable and even grand view of the royal palace.

The palace of the late second king is a half a mile above this on the same side of the river, and this is dis- tant from Paknam 23¾ miles and from the anchorage over the Bar 34 miles.

BIRTH.

At her residence in this city Mrs. Wilson wife of Rev. Jonathan Wilson of the Presbyterian mission gave birth to a son on the evening of the 31st, ul- to.

LOCAL.

We beg hereby to express our thanks to His Majesty the king of Si- am for a copy of his New-Year's cir- cular which he very graciously super- scribed with his own hand to our ad- dress, and we do in turn most hear- tily wish His Majesty and all his nu- merous family a happy New-Year and many more besides.

PARISIAN EXHIBITION.—-We learn that Phya Sooriwong Wiayawat(Chow Koon Changwang) only son of H. E. the Prime Minister, has been appoin- ted by His Majesty the king as his representative to the Parisian Exibi- tion, and that he and his first wife will leave on the Friday the 18th inst, per Str. Chow Phya for Singapore.

We learn that Capt. A. H. Bagge of the royal Engineers, left this about a fortnight since for Petehaburee, be- ing accompanied by two or more Si- amese officials bound for the remain- ing Survey of the Boundery line be- tween Siam and Burmah. We hear from Petohaburee that a caravan of elephants were in readiness there for the Captain soon after his arrival, but that by some mishap, when he was ready to mount them, they had all disappeared. Our informant says that the Captain was obliged to wait in a very unhappy state of suspense full seven days for the return of the ele- phants and the reorganization of the caravan—-and that he finally left on the 9th inst.

By the Siam bark St. Paul Capt. Lyser, which arrived here on the 6th inst. we learn that there was no less than twenty five vessels in Singapore in distress. The British bark Amy Warwick, dismasted had put into Singapore. She left this on the 8th Dec. last bound for Bombay.

The British Schooner Fairy, owned by Scott & Co. arrived in Hongkong on the 10th December.

The Siam Steamer Chow Phya left Singapore at 10.30 p.m. 5th inst. She experienced strong N. E. winds with a heavy sea till she reached the Gulf. In the Gulf fine weather with light northerly winds and smooth wa- ter. Arrived at the bar at 10 p.m. on the 10th inst., crossed the bar at 7 A.M. and arrived in Bangkok at 10 A.M. 11th inst.

Passengers per Chow Phya, H. R. H. the Duke Pentbierre, Count de Beauvour, Mons. Fanviel, Madam Grandpre, and 1 European servant, Mrs. Dr. Campbell, 2 children and servant, Mr. J. Maclean, Mons Lam- ache and 30 deck passengers.

U. S. S. F. SHENANDOAH.

We are happy to be able to inform our readers that the U. S. S. Frigate Shenandoah Captain Goldsborough arrived at the anchorage, having been five days on her passage from Singa- pore.

The Shenandoah, of the U. S. Navy Captain J. R. Goldsborough, was built at Philadelphia, and launched in 1862.

She cost in her construction up- wards of one million and a half dollars. She has a crew of 250 men and offi- cers, and carries ten guns, two of which are 11-inch Dahlgrens, the others be- ing of somewhat less calibre. Her "ram" is composed of 35 feet of solid wood and iron, and she is plated for 200 feet over with 5-inch iron. Her sailing capabilities under steam at sea are thirteen and a half knots an hour and the consumption of coal during 48 hours does not exceed 26 tons. She left Philadelphia in November of last year and is now on a cruise round the world. She has already visited the Cape, Madagascar, Ceylon, and the coast towns on this side, and she leaves about the middle of December for the Straits, China and Japan. The Shenandoah, it will be remembered, was at the blockade of Charleston, and bombardment of Fort Fisher, Wil- mington, where there was some very hard fighting. The names of her of- ficers are as follows:-—J. R. Golds- borough, Captain; William H. Belk- nap, Commander; J. W. Nicholls, Lieutenant Commander; R. S. Cot- ton, ditto; R. S. Chew, ditto;W. M. Maclay, Master; E. A. Kellogg, ditto; R. H. Bartleman, Chief Engineer; C. M. Guild Paymaster; R. H. Roades, Surgeon W. H. Lyon, Past Assistant-Surgeon; R. L. Meade, Ma- rine Officer; Edward Farmer, First Assistant-Engineer, besides eight other Assistants Engineers.

SANITARIUM-—We have been reques- ted to inform the public that single persons or families residing at the San- itarium at Anghin, are not expected to pay more than one Tical per day for the use of all the privileges of the establishment, and this trifling charge is to pay for a watchman at night and one servant by day to draw water for the place and keep it clean. Surely this is very generous in His Majesty and his Prime Minister.

STEAMER SIAM—-We are credibly informed that there is soon to be an- other Steamer Siam to take the place of the one that was lost between Bur- mah and Calcutta last year.

A circular of the Borneo Company Limited announces that the Steamer Japan which was to have been here about the 15th inst. will not come till the fore part of next month.

THE LIBEL CASE-—We regard it our duty to inform the public that the editor and proprietor of the Bangkok Recorder has been sued by M. Auba- ret the French Consul on the plea of damages for libel, that both plaintiff and defendant appeared at court before J. M. Hood Esq., U. S. Consul on the 3rd inst. and that the trial of the case was then postponed to the 21st inst. at 10 o'clock A. M.

Plaintiff grounds his charge on that part of our report in the issue of the 20th ulto, where we say the French Consul spake disparagingly of H. E. the Prime Minister and was said to have proposed to nominate another man as his successor

THE NEW CANAL—-We are glad to learn from good authority that the new canal from this city straight to T'acheen river has been cut through and is now navigable. It is reported that H. E. the Prime Minister passed through it a few days since in four hours in one of his small boats pro- pelled by men. Hence we judge that it will be easy enough to leave Bang- kok in any of our ordinary family boats early in the morning, spend the heat of the day at the Steam Sugar mill on T'acheen river, and return home in the evening. It looks quite inviting for a trip.

We can but fervently hope that the Siamese government will fully carry out the original plan and construct a good carriage road on one of its banks.

A CORRECTION.-—We learn from the best authority, that our reporter concern- ing the refusal of the heavy bonds said to have been offered by Mr. R. S. Scott for his appearance at court in Singapore, was mistaken, and that no bonds were ever offered. It was only in view of such bonds having been offered and refused that we made the criticism we did in our issue of the 20th ult. We are very glad to be enabled to think that our fears in regard to the apparent severity of his treatment were not well founded.

The return of Mrs. Doct. James Campbell and her two children in good health on the 12th inst. per Chow Phya has gladdened the hearts of all the Eu- ropean and American Community in Bangkok. ——-

Rev. Daniel McGilvary and family commenced their Journey for Cheangmai on the evening of the 3d inst. all in per- fect health, and with buoyant hopes. Rev. C. George and wife accompanied them, intending to go as far as Rahaang, and see Mr. Mc G. and family safely mounted on elephants for their overland trip of ten days to Cheangmai, when the former will turn homeward. It is cal- culated that the company will be full 30 days making the journey to Rahaang. The bulk of their goods were sent on some weeks before them so as to reach that city ere the water shall become too shallow. From thence they will be sent in smaller boats designed for going thence up the rapid a circuitous way to Cheangmai.

We have received letters from Mr. & Mrs. Mc Gilvary writing on the evening of the 9th inst. at Maung In. It ap- pears that the company had thus far a delightful time without the first thought of being WEARY PILGRIMS. Their stores, though not of great variety were fully adequate for their circumstances, and their gun was occasionally bringing them some agreeable change of diet. Hav- ing ample boat room (being three large family boats) not even the children were feeling uncomfortably cramped.

WEATHER—We have had nearly three months of the most delightful weather which the tropics or any oth- er zone ever furnishes. This season has been very remarkably cool and invigorating with scarcely any intermis- sion, and with but few drops of rain. Our winter seasons usually have been distinguished by three or four bracing days at a time, and then followed by something analogous to a thaw. Just now, however, we feel it quite warm, from 10. a. m, to 3 p. m. preparing, we think, for the usual showers in mid January.

The Chow Phya is advertised to sail at 8 o'clock Friday morning. Passengers for Singapore—Phya Soo- riwong Weiyawat and suite. Mr. & Mrs. Malherbe, Mr. Odman. The Duke De Penthiere, The Count De Beauvour Monsieur Fanvel, Madam De Grandpro, European servant and Mr. Hewes son.

We clip the following from the Ill. London News for Nov. 17th—-

Sir John Bowring, as Minister Ple- nipotentiary from the Hawiian Sove- rign, has negotiated treaties of amity and commerce with several of the continental Governments, has been nominated by the king of Siam his Envoy Extraordinary and minister Plenipotentiary to the Courts of Paris, Berlin, and the Hague. Sir John Bowring, it will be remembered, was accredited to the Siamese kings by her Britannic Majesty, where he sign- ed the treaty of 1855, which opened the Siamese trade to foreign nations, a trade that has now become very ex- tensive, especially with Eastern coun- tries.

SHIPPING—-Since the date of our last issue there has been 19 arrivals and 14 departures mostly of foreign vessels. At present there is 67 ves- sels in port, consisting of Siam 43, British 13, Bremen 3, Prussian 3, American 2, Dutch 1, French 1, Hamburg 1. The tonnage of the various nationalities is, Siam 14.209, British 6.233, Bremen 1.100, Prus- sian 1.055, American 2.498, Dutch 513, French 320, Hamburg 180. Total tonnage 26.108.

NOTICE.

As we are likely to have many things to report in the course of two or three weeks, we may issue one or more extra sheets of the Recorder.

NOTICE.

MESSRS Joseph Halphen & Co. of Paris, appointed jewellers of H. M. the King of Siam, beg to give Notice that MESSRS MALHERBE JULLIAN & Co. are their sole Agents at Bangkok.

NOTICE.

We the subscribers beg to inform the public that we have established ourselves as Auction Merchants in this city to sell goods at auction se- mi-monthly, thus facilitating the sale of goods which may be commit- ted to us for sale.

We shall open our business on the street near San Chow Kong Kuak to commence on the 6th of January 1867. We shall always give three days notice of each sale together with a list of the articles to be sold. Who- ever would have goods sold at our auction sales, we shall be glad to re- gieve them to sell at a commission of 2½ per cent.—-Terms cash.

Bangkok Dec. 8th 1867

Overcoming Temptation.

One night at a late hour, Dr. Bentley was disturbed at his studies by a rattling sound among some wood, which, sawed and split, had been left by a teamster, the afternoon previous, too late to be properly housed. He arose, went cau- tiously to the window, and saw a woman filling her apron with wood, which she hastily carried away. He resumed his seat, and commenced his study. Shortly after the same noise occurred; and on looking out a second time he saw a sim- ilar operation ; the woman filling her great apron to the utmost limits of its capacity. When she was gone, he return- ed to his book with a tender pity in his heart for a destitution which sought re- lief in this lonely, dreary, not to say sinful manner.

By-and-by he was startled by a heavy crash of falling wood, and hurrying up to the window, beheld the poor woman casting the very dust of the wood from her apron. He remained motionless, his gentle heart filled with commiseration. She swiftly departed, and soon returned with the second armful which she threw on the pile as if it were the “accursed thing.”

The doctor's compassion and curiosity were now intensely excited. He follow- ed her retreating figure till he discovered her residence, and thus ascertained who she was. What she was, was no mystery to him. The last hour had shown him her virtue's lofty height. He called early the next morning on Mr. B—- the wood- dealer, and directed him to send half a cord of his best wood, sawed and split to Mrs.—-, but by no means to let her know from whom it came; which was readily promised. Mr. B-—'s teamster who hap- pened to be within ear-shot, though out of sight, was not so bound, and when he tipped the wood into the poor woman's yard, replied to her eager inquiry, who had sent it, by relating the conversation he had over-heard.

The conscience-stricken mother, feel- ing that her sin and repentance, in the lonely darkness of that midnight hour, were known and understood by another heart besides her own, hastened without delay to the house of the benevolent man, to express her gratitude and her sorrow, and with deep humility and bit- terness, told him the temptation to which her extreme poverty had reduced her of breaking the eighth commandment.

“Though my house was dark and cold, though my heart was wrung with anguish at the sight of my poor shivering ones; I could not keep it; my conscience would not let me.”

“Say no more, dear madam,” said the good man. “I saw you conquer the devil in two fair fights.”

The Higher Need.

What would we think of one who pos- sessed a rare and beautiful singing bird, who should lavishly adorn its cage, gild- ing and burnishing it, and bestowing tender care on its senseless bars, while the living, animate object within slowly perished for want of care and food; or of another who owned a wonderful jewel and polished and adorned the casket and kept it free from spot or stain, while the diamond within corroded and grew dim from neglect—-would not such conduct seem wrong and foolish in the extreme? yet do we see it daily exemplified in cases of far greater importance.

The ‘soul’ is that singing-bird—-that priceless jewel, and the cage and casket the perishable bodies we feed and adorn, and spend all our fleeting hours in ways and means to gratify, while the prisoner within is dormant, or beats its wings in silent despair against the beautiful, per- ishable walls we rear so proudly—-“sits on forlorn,” and sees the happy estate God destined it to, recede from it for- ever, in helpless anguish at our apathy and frivolous unconcern. Better that the body should starve, that it should wear rags and toil in narrow places, if by such constant friction the soul be kept pure and bright. If we bend low to carry the cross, we shall rise higher to wear the crown, and that life is not worth having that does not bear the mark of the nails —-that has not crucified the flesh again and again to fit it for the resurrection and the life eternal.—-CHRISTIAN TIMES.

The Victoria falls of the
Zambesi.

One of the greatest natural wonders of the world is represented by the Engrav- ing on page 380, in our Number of this week. The Mosioatunya (smoke-sound- ing), or Victoria, Falls of the River Zam- besi, in the interior of South Africa, have been known to us since the publication of Dr. Livingstone's first book of travels, seven or eight years ago, but were most completely explored by Mr. James Chap- man and Mr. Thomas Baines, F. R. G. S., when they journeyed across the whole continent from Walfisch Bay, on the west coast, by Lake Ngami and the Zambesi, to the eastern parts, in 1862.

The strangest peculiarity of this aston- ishing waterfall is the shape of the chan- nel into which it pours, rushing over a straight ledge of rock 1900 yards in width. The elongated chasm, nearly 400 ft. in depth, formed by a wall of rock directly opposite and parallel to this ledge, is only 75 yards wide at its narrowest part, and not more than 180 yards at its widest. The continuity of this barrier is, at one place, only broken by a single outlet, 80 yards wide, through which the water es-

capes into a second chasm, or fissure, shaped like the first, and parralliel with it, but only about half the length of the first, with which it forms an angle. Having by this passage approached the line of the right bank of the broader part of the river above the falls, it makes an extremely sharp turn to the left hand, and rushes through a third narrow cut along the wall of rock that bounds the second chasm on the other side. It repeats these angular bendings twice more, though not so acute- ly and precipitately, before it resumes a tolerably direct onward course.

The illustration gives a very correct notion of these fantastic perversions and distortions of the channel below the falls, whilst the broad expanse of the river above the falls, with the beautiful green islands, some of them full of trees, which almost seem to hang on the verge of the cataract, is partially hidden by the lofty columns of spray, rising often to the height of 1200 ft. above the bottom of the chasm. The smooth water above the falls is navi- gable for canoes, and Garden Island, situ- ated on the very edge, has been visited by several English travelers, as by Dr. Liv- ingstone and Mr. Baines.

"The difference in the appearance of the country," says Mr. Baines, "is marked and striking. The broad river above the falls is bordered by palms and luxuriant tropical vegetation; while along the lower part of the river the country is dry and arid, except where fields of maize or millet are cultivated along the tributary streams, or where in the rainy season, its barren- ness is changed to fertility and verdure."

SOMETHING LIKE a cheese was manu- factured at the Ingersoll cheese factory, Canada, in June last, according to the particulars of it given by the TORONTO GLOBE. It weighs 7000 lb., or 3⅓ tons. It is 6 ft. 10 in. in diameter, 3 ft. thick, and about 21 ft. in circumference. In the manufacture of it thirty-five tons of milk were used. It was made in four days and a half, kept in press twelve days, then re- moved and bound together with six large bands of iron. In a few days the hoops were removed, and it was wrapped in cloth and wire, and prepared for removal. It was taken to New York State Fair, at Saratoga Springs, in September, and at the fair many persons wished to purchase it; but, though so high a price as 6000 dollars was offered for it, Mr. Harris re- fused to sell. This cheese was to be at Toronto in the last week of September, at the annual exhibition of the Provincial Agricultural Association. It is the inten- tion of the makers to send it to the World's Fair at Paris next year.

The old "Council Tree of the Senecas," nearly five centuries old, at Mount Morris, New York, has been blown down. It measured 23 ft. in circumfer- ence. The solemn councils of the Seneca chiefs were held beneath this tree from time immemorial.

Mr. George Peabody some time ago offered to pay for the erection of a Congregational church at Georgetown, Massachusetts, as a memorial to his moth- er, and was lately present at its dedica- tion. He has now offered to erect a libra- ry building for the town and stock it with books for the use of all the people. His first appropriation for this is 12,000 dols.

The American vessel the Egmont has put into the Mauritius to repair dam- ages. She had on board the larger por- tion of the electric cable destined to con- nect Asia and America, by way of Beh- ring's Strait. The cable has been landed at the dry dock of MM. Frye and Blond- eau. The cable is 400 miles long, weighs 800 tons, and measures about two inches in circumference. The cable was landed by means of a special steam-engine, the same that is to be used in its submersion.

Mr. Alexander T. Stewart, of Newport, United States, has announced his intention of giving 1,000,000 dols. for the erection of dwellings for the poor of that city, on condition that the necess- ary land shall be provided. His plan is similar to Mr. Peabody's gift to the poor of London.

Letters have been received in Glas- gow from Dr. Livingstone, the distingu- ished African traveler, of date May 1, 1866. The doctor was then in good health, and prosecuting his important mission successfully.

We learn by telegraph of a terrible gale which swept over the coast of New- foundland on Sept. 22. Several coasters were lost, and a French frigate, with, it is feared, all hands, has also gone down. At the time the news left, more than 150 bodies have been washed ashore, with the word "Niobe" on their dress. Nothing else had been heard of the vessel or her people; but great quantities of wreck had been washed ashore.

South Carolina.

THE legislature of South Carolina has passed an act securing to the freedmen the right to make and enforce contracts, to sue and be sued, to give evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell real and per- sonal property, to make wills, enjoy full and equal benefit of personal security, personal liberty, and private property, and of all legal remedies, the same as whites. It further provides for the in- fliction of the same punishment for the same offenses upon whites and blacks alike, and repeals all laws inconsistent herewith, excepting the law declaring marriages between whites and blacks illegal and void.

One step more, and South Carolina will stand squarely upon the platform of Equal Rights. She must admit the negro to the ballot-box, and then she will be thoroughly reconstructed.

Telegraphic Summary for
China and Japan.

Japan.

Tremendous fire at Yokohama on Nov. 26. One-fifth of the foreign, and two-thirds of native settlement destroyed, representing loss of four million dollars. Sixty-five foreign houses and Consular buildings burnt. Insurance to amount of two million one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars distributed thus. In dollars-— China Company $341,000; Phoenix $66,900; Northern $306,510; Lon- don and Lancashire $132,000; Liver- pool and Globe $80,000; Sun, $156,- 500; Samarang, $20,000; Albert, $43,000. In Sterling.-—Imperial, £20,000; North British, £66,000; Commercial, £9,000; Royal, £79,000; London, Insurance, £43,700.

Fire originated accidentally in the native town. An impulse has been given to the import trade, by the destruction of a large quantity of Manchester goods.

Several Japanese students are en route to England, sent at charge of the Government, to study European laws and social customs.

Troops are said to be returning from the late seat of war, but the Mikado's abandonment of the struggle is said to have caused disgust among several of his powerful supporters.

The Coromandel has been sold to Kishiu for $100,000, and the Owari sailing vessel to the Government for $30,000.

The Shock of an Earthquake was felt at Yokoham on 24th November. No damage was done.

China.

Additional particulars of French expedition to Corea are to hand; Loot captured by French troops at Kanghoa before leaving, shews a high state of material civilization amongst the Cor- eans. The Imperial Corean library has been brought away for transmis- sion to Paris.

The Peiho was frozen in on the 26th November.

Chinese at Shanghae are invited by proclamation from the Taotai to send objects of interest to Paris Exhibition. It is probable that a lighthouse will be erected on the North Saddle Island in the Yang-tze-kiang.

A severe typhoon has been encoun- tered in the neighbourhood of Shang- hae.

The viceroy has returned to Shang- hae having, according to native ac- counts, gained immense victories over the Nienfei.

Sir. R. Macdonnall has issued a memorandum stating that it is not his intention to interfere more than ne- cessary with the small trading and passenger junks frequenting Hong- kong by the exaction of heavy fees under the new ordinances.

The Hongkong dollar has been pro- claimed a legal tender to the Cus- toms at Canton.

The Mint Commission has sent in its report, but it is not yet made pub- lic.

It is rumoured that the Canton Au- thorities intend to erect light houses in the Pearl River from Hongkong to Canton.

The Hongkong Rifle Association has been inaugurated by the Govern- or. Many robberies and acts of vio- lence are reported from Canton.

The Coolie emigration question is in abeyance. It is expected that much light will be thrown on the pro- ceedings of the "emigration agents" at the trial of the editor of this paper for libelling one of the fraternity. It is expected to come off on the 18th instant.—-Or. China Mail.

The Loved not Lost.

Of life and love, to still live on!

Ah, brother, only I and thou

Are left of all that circle now,—

The dear home faces whereupon

That fitful firelight paled and shone.

Henceforward, listen as we will,

The voices of that hearth are still;

Look where we may the wide earth o’er

Those lighted faces shine no more.

We tread the paths their feet have worn,

We sit beneath their orchard trees,

We hear like them the hum of bees

And rustle of the bladed corn;

We turn the pages that they read,

Their written words we linger o’er,

But in the sun they cast no shade,

No voice is heard, no sign is made,

No step is on the conscious floor!

Yet Love will dream, and Faith will trust,

(Since he who knows our need is just,)

That somehow, somewhere meet we must.

Alas for him who never sees

The stars shine through his cypress trees;

Who, hopeless, lays his dead away,

Nor looks to see the breaking day

Across the mournful marble play!

Who hath not learned in hours of faith,

The truth to flesh and sense unknown,

That Life is ever Lord of Death;

And Love can never lose its own!

Cheap Amusements for
the People.

Therh should be cheap places of resort for reading and recreation, to draw men away from the grog shops. I came upon one such in Glasgow, and visited it. It is called a workingmen's club. It was on one of the principal streets of the city. I paid one penny (two cents) for ad- mission, and found myself in a suite of good large apartments, five in number. The first was a room for social games without gambling, such as "curling," and "bagatelle;" the second for chess and draughts, where the players could be quiet; the third was a smoking room, rather dark and gloomy in the day time, where one man sat alone with his pipe and his meditations, exciting my pity; the fourth was a reading room, with nine different daily papers from London, Edin- burg, Glasgow, and Manchester, twenty weekly papers from all over the country and some twelve or fifteen monthlies and quarterlies of the most valuable charac- ter, among which I occupied myself for some three hours, and the fifth room was a committee room, and at the service of any person also who wished to meet a friend there of an evening for any brief business. No intoxicating drinks are allowed. Now, a workingman has all this (open from 9 a. m. till 10 p. m.) for a dollar and a quarter a year, or for twelve and a half cents a month, or for two cents a single admission! If there were fifty or a hundred such establishments in every city, would it not save money from the liquor saloons?—LETTER FROM DR. PATTON.

TO TAKE WHITE MARKS FROM MA- HOGANY.—-If a white mark has been left on a mahogany table by carelessly sitting down on it a vessel of hot water, rub the place hard with a rag dipped in lamp-oil; and afterwards pour on a little cologne water, or a little alcohol, and rub it dry with a clean rag. The dish-marks left on a dining table, can, of course, be taken off in the same manner. If brandy is spilt on mahogany, and leaves a whitish mark, that mark can he removed by rubbing it hard with a rag dipped in more brandy. Try it.

The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think than what to think—-rather to improve our minds so as to make us think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of other men.

A clergyman in Chicago, last Christ- mas morning, missed his stockings, and after a long search, found one on each horn of a new milch cow, which had been presented to him by his parishioners, and ornamented in this way to indicate that it was a Christmas gift.

It is understood in Washington that Gen. Grant will visit Europe during the summer, and will probably be absent several months.

The greatest man is he who chooses the right with invincible resolution; who resists the sorest temptation from within and without; who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully; who is the calmest in storms, and whose reliance on faith and virtue, and on God, is most unfal- tering.

Grace does not permit us to check ourselves through to Heaven, but to get out at each junction of our life and see that our faith is right, and to keep heed- lest we lose our way. It is this that one of the mysteries of christian life, that while in view of God's might, we know we can never fall, in view of our weak- ness, we know that without constant re- liance on His help, we must fall forth- with.

The total amount of gold shipped to New York from California during the past year was $20,564,895.

Odds and Ends.

"An article in the Round Table on the "Simplicity of Greatness," says : "Who- ever has spent an an hour with Agassiz has been charmed with his genial, artless candor, and his unrestrained flow of gen- erous sympathies. Bryant's manner has the unaffected repose of perfect cultiva- tion. Emerson makes you forget the aus- tere philosopher in his fascinating speech and his cordial interest in everything that is interesting to man."

Mr. Aytoun, the laird of Kinaldiz, was particularly indifferent respecting his attire, but was noted for his powers both of compliment and banter. Walk- ing one fine morning on the Scores pro- menade at St. Andrews, he met a lady acquaintance whom he saluted with his usual courtesy. "Good morning, madam; how well you are looking to day?" "I'm sorry I can't return the compliment," re- sponded the lady, adverting to the plain- ness of his apparel. "Poh," said Mr. Aytoun, "you might have lied as I did."

In bodily diseases the tendency to dwell on morbid symptoms is itself a morbid symptom. And so of the soul, the healthiest state is not one of self- inspection and self-upbraiding, but of self-forgetfulness.

Rev. Theodore S. Cuyler recently said: I wish I could be permitted to write in golden letters, among Crawford's superb marble groups on the forefront of the capital, those noble words of the Sultan Akbar—-"No man was ever yet lost in a straight road!"

Some one asked Tom Corwin once if he had heard a certain story of Lewis Campbell's.

"Was it about himself?" inquired Corwin.

"No, I believe not."

"Well, then, I never heard it" said Tom, gravely.