The English Governess at the Siamese Court | Page 2

was now too late to
deter me from the undertaking by any arguments addressed to my fears,
I can nevertheless never forget the generous impulse of the honest
seamen, who said: "Madam, be advised even by strangers, who have
proved what sufferings await you, and shake your hands of this mad
undertaking." By the next steamer I sailed for the Court of Siam.
In the following pages I have tried to give a full and faithful account of
the scenes and the characters that were gradually unfolded to me as I
began to understand the language, and by all other means to attain a
clearer insight into the secret life of the court. I was thankful to find,
even in this citadel of Buddhism, men, and above all women, who were
"lovely in their lives," who, amid infinite difficulties, in the bosom of a
most corrupt society, and enslaved to a capricious and often cruel will,
yet devoted themselves to an earnest search after truth. On the other
hand, I have to confess with sorrow and shame, how far we, with all
our boasted enlightenment, fall short, in true nobility and piety, of some
of our "benighted" sisters of the East. With many of them, Love, Truth,
and Wisdom are not mere synonyms but "living gods," for whom they
long with lively ardor, and, when found, embrace with joy.
Those of my readers who may find themselves interested in the
wonderful ruins recently discovered in Cambodia are indebted to the
earlier travellers, M. Henri Mouhot, Dr. A. Bastian, and the able
English photographer. James Thomson, F. R. G. S. L., almost as much
as to myself.
To the Hon. George William Curtis of New York, and to all my other
true friends, abroad and in America, I feel very grateful.
And finally, I would acknowledge the deep obligation I am under to Dr.
J. W. Palmer, whose literary experience and skill have been of so great
service to me in revising and preparing my manuscript for the press. A.
H. L.

CONTENTS.
I. ON THE THRESHOLD II. A SIAMESE PREMIER AT HOME III.
A SKETCH OF SIAMESE HISTORY IV. HIS EXCELLENCY'S

HAREM AND HELPMEET V. THE TEMPLES OF THE SLEEPING
AND THE EMERALD IDOLS VI. THE KING AND THE
GOVERNESS VII. MARBLE HALLS AND FISH-STALLS VIII.
OUR HOME IN BANGKOK IX. OUR SCHOOL IN THE PALACE X.
MOONSHEE AND THE ANGEL GABRIEL XI. THE WAYS OF
THE PALACE XII. SHADOWS AND WHISPERS OF THE HAREM
XIII. FA-YING, THE KING'S DARLING XIV. AN OUTRAGE AND
A WARNING XV. THE CITY OF BANGKOK XVI. THE WHITE
ELEPHANT XVII. THE CEREMONIES OF CORONATION XVIII.
THE QUEEN CONSORT XIX. THE HEIR-APPARENT.--ROYAL
HAIR-CUTTING XX. AMUSEMENTS OF THE COURT XXI.
SIAMESE LITERATURE AND ART XXII. BUDDHIST DOCTRINE,
PRIESTS, AND WORSHIP XXIII. CREMATION XXIV. CERTAIN
SUPERSTITIONS XXV. THE SUBORDINATE KING XXVI. THE
SUPREME KING: HIS CHARACTER AND ADMINISTRATION
XXVII. MY RETIREMENT FROM THE PALACE XXVIII. THE
KINGDOM OF SIAM XXIX. THE RUINS OF CAMBODIA.--AN
EXCURSION TO THE NAGHKON WATT XXX. THE LEGEND OF
THE MAHA NAGHKON
[Illustration: Fac-Simile of Letter from present Supreme King of Siam:
Transcription follows:]
Amarinde Winschley Palace Bangkok March 6th 1869
Mrs. A. H. Leonowens New York
Dear Madam,
I have great pleasure in condescending to answer your sympathising
letter of 25th November last wherein the sorrowful expressions of your
heart in relation to my most beloved Sovereign Father in demise which
is a venerated burden and I have left to this day and ever more shall
bear this most unexpressable loss in mind, with the deepest respect and
lamentation, and resignation to the will of divine Providence;--are very
loyal to you too to ful, and share your grief in behalf the affection you
have for your royal pupils, and the kind remembrances you have made
of them in your letter, loves you too with that respect and love your are
held in ther esteem, for such disinterestioness in imparting knowledge
to them during your stay here with us. I have the pleasure also, to
mention you that our Government in counsel has elected me to assume
the reins of Government notwithstanding my juvenility; and I am

pleased to see the love the people have for me, most undoubtedly
arising from the respect and veneration they have had for my beloved
royal Father and I hope to render them prosperity and peace, and equal
measure, they have enjoyed since the last reign in return.
May you and your beloved children be in the peace of the divine
Providence.
I beg to remain,
Yours sincerely
Somdetch Phra Chulalonkorn Klou Chow-yu Hua Supreme King of
Siam on 114th day of reign

I. ON THE THRESHOLD.
MARCH 15, 1862.--On board the small Siamese steamer Chow Phya,
in the Gulf of Siam.
I rose before the sun,