The Chinamen, on leaving, gave us many demonstrations of their gratitude.

January 30th.-Weighed and steered for the Island of KobsiChang.

February 4.- Whilst proceeding towards the Bay of KohsiChang, fell in with a small schooner belonging to the King of Siam, having on board Messrs. Bell and Forrest, of the Hong-Kong Civil Service. These gentlemen had left Bangkok on the 1st inst., intending to visit the Chentabum River. Thinking they could be of service to us, they kindly came on board, and abandoned their original purpose.

Anchored off a small village in the bay, with His Siamese Majesty's schooner in attendance.

The natives seemed to be in no way perplexed by the sudden appearance amongst them of British tars, but they were not indifferent to the advent of the tars of the king their master. The license allowed these fellows is certainly singular, even in countries like Siam. They pick up any fowls that come in their way, wring their necks off, and tuck them under their arms, in the coolest manner possible: help themselves to vegetables or other commodities, without let or hinderance. In answer to my inquiries respecting this strange conduct, I was told that it was customary for the native naval forces, when cruising, thus to supply themselves with fresh stock.

February 6th.-Arrived at the deboucheur of the Menam, off Paknam. Paknam is the principal port of the kingdom. It is defended by three forts. Here all foreign trading vessels report their arrival to the Custom-House authorities, and deposit their guns and ammunition before they can advance to the capital,* which is situate eighteen miles up the river.

3

February 7th.-Leaving the "Saracen" at anchor off the bar, proceeded in my gig towards Bangkok, accompanied by Messrs. Hill, Read, Lindsay and Covey,* with the pinnace. Before we reached half way, we lost the tide, and were obliged to anchor. Night came on before the current returned, and we had no alternative but to sleep in our boats. Such airy chambers might not have been undesirable, considering the heat, if we were secure from the attacks of mosquitoes; but those pests, free to harrass us, denied all comfort. Morning relieved us of our tormentors, and we resumed our voyage.

February 8th.-Got sight of Bangkok at eight o'clock.

The land at the entrance of the river and for a considerable distance beyond, appeared almost uncultivable; rhizophoras and

* In accordance with Treaty Regulations.-Ed.

1

+ Assistant-surgeon, 2 second-master, 3 assistant-paymaster, 4 master's-assistant. This villainous little insect seems to vary as to the time and place of its pursuit in diffsrent places. In China it seldom visits river-boats, whilst in South America, it loves to prowl at morning, yielding the evening to the tempranero, and to the zancudo the night.-Ed.

cocos-nypa luxuriated thereon, as in the time of Craufurd's visit five-and-thirty years before; but further on the scene changed, and rice fields and sugar plantations everywhere met the eye. The approach to Bangkok presented a novel and beautiful appearance. On either side of the river was a row of floating habitations moored to the shore, occupied principally by Chinese shop-keepers; behind these was a profusion of tropical foliage, embosoming the houses of the nobles and Europeans; and towering above all, rose the glittering spires of the Buddhist temples, suggestive, although emanations of false worship, of a tangible tribute, as if of some lustrous thing about to ascend from man and earth to the Most High.

After a refreshing ablution and a comforting breakfast, Mr. Richards addressed himself to the particular object of his visit. Accompanied by a British resident, who kindly volunteered to act as interpreter, he sought the Phra Klang, or Minister for Foreign Affairs. Having explained to the minister the nature of the duties that devolved upon him, adroitly identifying the interests of both countries, he expressed a desire to pay his respects to the king, that his undertaking might not appear to have been begun without the approval of his Majesty. This graceful compliment impressed the minister most favourably. The Phra Klang advised his visitor to state the substance of his wishes in the form of a note to the king, which he himself would present, and to which he could promise a gracious reply. The business of the interview ended, his Excellency inquired if his visitor had suitable accommodation for himself and his retinue. On hearing that they had slept in open boats the preceding night, he expressed his regret, and took great blame to himself for not having sent a fast-pulling boat to bring them up. The minister concluded his remarks by placing at Mr. Richards' disposal one of his own barges, together with a guide and an interpreter.

During the interview, which lasted nearly an hour, a musical entertainment had been provided in a screened neighbouring_apartment. The notes of stringed and wind instruments, now and again obscured by the deep tones of gongs, were more musical than could be anticipated. Alternately with native were played British airs, in compliment to the visitor. It is hardly surprising that our honest sailor should have felt a curiosity to know who the performers were, that could draw such dulcet strains from instruments which, in the hands of his Malayan friends of Borneo, grated on his accustomed ear. The performers were some of his Excellency's wives. The favourite of them was summoned to receive an approving nod from her gracious master. She crawled forth, not daring to walk upright, flushed and trembling, a beautiful, yet abject thing, who seemed to be conscious of but one circumstance, the illimitable distance between her master and his slave.

*A Mr. Hunter, remarkable for his civility. The Phra Klang spoke excellent English, which he reserved for private conversation.

CHAPTER III.

Public reception of the king, followed by a private interview: his Majesty manifests great intelligence and kindness.-The royal yacht and her management.

Having strolled about in order to gratify the first and strongest craving of curiosity, Mr. Richards returned to his temporary residence to find a present of fruit from the Phra Klang, and to receive an intimation that the king "would be happy to grant him an audience at ten o'clock next morning." As he had been led to expect a delay of several days, and was desirous of speedily beginning his work, he felt elated at the intelligence. The circumstance served to prepossess him in favour of the king, who, no doubt, attached to his peculiar duties all the importance they deserve.

On the following morning, the people in the neighbourhood of the palace were unusually astir. The commotion attracted the attention of our expectant courtier, who looked about with inquiring eyes. He could distinguish the grotesque figures of half-naked, Sepoylooking soldiers bustling among a gaping throng, and suspected that the elements of the Royal Guard were coming together. At ten o'clock was announced the arrival of one of his majesty's state barges to convey him to the river entrance-the grand entrance of the palace. Accompanied by Messrs. Hill, Read, Lindsay, and Covey, of the "Saracen," and by a few British residents, he embarked. On landing at the palace, they were received with honour. They were shown into a waiting-room. Court etiquette, in Siam, prescribes that strangers should be kept waiting a considerable time before they can be admitted to the Presence; the object being, no doubt, to inspire a wholesome awe that otherwise might not be felt. In the present instance, this object certainly was not attained. Our impatient sailors soon voted the delay a nuisance, and, in order to beguile the time, they wandered about the palace. Having visited the royal stud of elephants, and viewed the interior of the king's private wat, or temple, they returned to the waiting-room, where they found cakes and coffee sent to them by the king. At two o'clock they were summoned to the audience-chamber. The way through which they were conducted was lined with soldiers. They passed the inner gate and entered the third court-yard, the sacred enclosure, once trodden by a British envoy with shoeless feet, but now to be traversed by a new generation as though it were but common ground. Opposite the doorway of the audience-chamber, was a large screen which concealed the interior of the hall from view. Our officers passed round this screen, removed their hats, crossed the threshold, bowed politely to the king, who occupied a high-gilded throne at the further end of the apartment, advanced towards the middle of the hall, and took possession of the cushioned stools placed there for their accommodation.* The hall was crowded

* Sir John Bowring and suite sat à la turque, during their reception, the year before.-Ed.

with prostrate courtiers. On either side, behind the nobles, was ranged a double file of the Royal Guard. "The king, in a loud, oracular voice, inquired the object of my visit; how long I had been from England? what coasts I had surveyed? whether I would visit Cochin-China?* &c. His Majesty, having concluded his interrogatories, said he was accustomed to receive public officers in this manner, but he would be happy to have some conversation with me afterwards in his private apartments. A curtain was drawn across the throne, and the courtiers regained their feet. Thus ended the public interview. We took off our swords, and proceeded to join the king. His Majesty received us at the door of his drawing-room, shook hands with us, and offered us wine. Of course we drank his Majesty's health. The king engaged me in a conversation about engineering and astronomy. He wished particularly to know when the Suez railway would be completed. The plan for connecting the Gulf of Siam with the Indian Ocean had occupied his Majesty's attention. This plan-Sir John Bowring's dream from childhood, as he told me-found no favour with the king, who deems it to be wholly impracticable. If I wished, however, to survey the line proposed, his Majesty would give me his earnest support. Of astronomy, the king stated that he was particularly fond. He declared his intention of getting a transit instrument out from England, and expressed a hope that I would assist him in setting it up." ." After further conversation, of a desultory character, our friends took leave. Boats and guide had been offered for their accommodation, and his Majesty's steam-yacht placed at their service to convey them back to their ship. The king presented his autograph and card to each, and used towards all the kindest expres

sions.

After such an unexpected display of intelligence and good-will on the part of the king, Mr Richards felt exceedingly buoyant. Instead of proceeding to complete his review of the novel appearances around him, he directed his steps to the residence of the Phra Klang.

"The minister was at home, having just returned from the Court. He received me kindly, and treated me to music, as on the previous day. The principal topic of conversation was the proposed canal between the Gulf of Siam and the Indian Ocean. The scheme. failed to meet his Excellency's approval, simply owing to its im practicability.

Next morning, the Phra-na-Why, or Lord High Admiral, waited upon me for the purpose of conducting me on board the king's yacht, which his Majesty had considerately placed at my disposal. Before we embarked, the complaisant dignitary showed me over the Prime Minister's new house in the course of erection, an extensive stone building, combining the advantages of an English palace

*The king's words were conveyed by the foreign Secretary to the interpreter, who communicated them to Mr. Richards.

and an Indian bungalow. The "Royal Seat," a schooner rigged screw steam vessel of sixty tons, had on board an immense quantity of fruit and vegetables sent as a present by the king. Before we started, a capital dinner, cooked in the European style, arrived as a further evidence of the attention of his Majesty. At three o'clock the "Royal Seat" was under weigh. We had not yet ceased to marvel at the novelty of our position-in the keeping of a black captain and black engineer-when a little incident occurred that inspired us with a feeling of respect for our companions. The engine was constructed on the high pressure principle. One of the cocks happened to be blown out. The vessel was at once steered into mid-channel and stopped, a plug was driven in, and, in less than five minutes, we were again in motion. There was no more excitement than would be on board a British gun-boat." (To be continued.)

ON THE MILITARY SPIRIT OF NATIONS AND THE DISCIPLINE AND MORALE OF ARMIES.*

BY LIEUTENANT A. STEINMETZ, THE QUEEN'S OWN LIGHT INFANTRY.

I.

"Military virtue is the chief bulwark of nations," said Napoleon; and all history proves that if it has been liable to great abuses, and sometimes attended with disastrous consequences, its absence has always entailed the ruin of states and the loss of national independence. In the comparison of the calamities incidental to the abuses of all things here below, we should assuredly prefer those which leave us, at least, powerful amongst the nations.

Of all nations, it is amongst the ancient Romans that we find the most brilliant example of the military spirit which exalts a people. In the palmy days of the republic every citizen was a soldier. Military service was the indispensable introduction to office. All her statesmen were warriors as well as men of business. They were ready at any moment to proceed from the senate to the camp-to direct a campaign, and fight the battles of their country.

The entire education of the Roman youth was designed to form good soldiers; the Campus Martius was a well-organized School of Arms for the entire people; and how well they pofited by their teaching is abundantly evident from their eminent and proud security in all emergencies, and their universal achievements and conquests; so that the Apostle Paul held forth the perfection of the Roman soldier as an image of that perfection which is necessary for the spiritual pilgrim in his arduous progress "to stand" on the Holy Mountain.

* Alison, Europe; Jomini, Précis; Steinmetz, Strategy and Tactics,