Voyage from Calcutta to Islands of Preparis, Narcondam, Seyer.—Remarkable Silence and Absence of Birds.—Granitic Structure.—Zoological and Botanical Remarks.—Coast of Siam.—Straits of Papra.—Botanical Observations.—Prince of Wales’ Island.—Chinese Settlers.—Scenery.—Zoology.—Brumal climate.—Distribution of Plants.—Soil.—Products.—Queda
Leave Prince of Wales’ Island.—Luminous Appearance of the Sea.—Pulo Dinding.—A gigantic Ærides.—Malacca.—Deserted Appearance. Slaves.—Little Camiron.—Islands.—Vegetable Phenomenon.—Singapore.—Unrivalled situation as an emporium between the Indian and China Seas.—Serenity and security of the Atmosphere and Seas.—Monsoons scarcely felt.—Climate salubrious, contrasted with that of Upper India, so fatal to Europeans; effects of on Vegetable and Animal Nature.—Creeping plants.—Malay race.—Mangroves, utility of.—Character of the Chinese.—Their Ships.—Malays of the Sea or Orang Laut.—Description of the New Settlement.—Conduct of the Chinese, and manly Conduct of Captain Richardson.—Natunas Isles.—Pulo Ubi.—Seeds discovered in the Wild Plantain.—Botanical Observations.—Groups of Islands.—Joss Sticks.—Fu-Kok.—Arrival at Paknam in Siam River
Siam.—Interpreter arrives.—Requested to land the Guns.—Entertained by a Chief.—Physiological remarks on the Siamese.—Progress to Bankok.—A floating Bazar.—Bankok described.—The Governor General’s Letter to the King delivered to a Chief.—A suspicious Attempt made to get Possession of the Presents.—Interview with one of the Ministers.—Disgusting Servility of his Attendants.—Negotiations respecting the Performance of the Court Ceremonies.—Proceed to the Palace.—Addressed in good Latin by a Native.—Observations on the Road to the Audience.—Description of the Audience
White Elephants and White Monkies.—Taste of the Siamese.—Brahmans and Hinduism in Siam.—Library of the Temple.—Enormous Guns.—Trade of Siam a Royal Monopoly.—Chinese Emigrants.—Sugar.—Siamese Policy respecting Trade.—Policy of the Ultra Gangetic Nations.—An Embassy arrives from Cochin China.—Procession of Royal Barges of Siam to receive it.—Siamese Music.—Reflections on the Result of the Mission
Interview with Prince Chroma Chit.—Mr. Finlayson called upon to visit a case of Cholera in the Palace.—Mission not visited by any Persons of Respectability.—Parties at the Court of Bankok.—Nothing granted in favour of Commerce.—Agent to the Governor General leaves without an audience.—Bankok; the Dwellings mostly Floating Rafts.—Inhabitants mostly Chinese.—Manufactures of Tin, Leather, Cast-Iron Vessels.—Balachang.—Siamese eat Flesh, but do not kill.—Palaces and Temples, or Prachadis of Bankok.—Images of Buddha excessively numerous.—Analogies between the Pyramid of Egypt and the Bauddhic Dagoba
Physical form and character of the Siamese.—Manners and Customs.—Treatment of the dead, and funeral obsequies of the Monarch.—Laws.—Adultery.—Theft.—History.—State of defence.—Revenue.—Siamese numerals.—Kalendar.—Annual festival at the close of the year.—Religion.—Laws of Buddha.—Province of Chantibond the richest portion of the territory of Siam.—Its products.—Mines of gold and of precious stones.—Zoological remarks
Depart from Siam.—Sechang, or Dutch Islands.—Inhabitants.—Enormous Yam.—Bay of Siam.—Geological Remarks.—Pulo Panjang.—Two Brothers’ Islands.—Pulo Condore.—Geology.—Inhabitants.—Hospitable Character.—Cape St. James Current.—Bay of Cocoa Nuts.—Geology, &c.—Vung Tao.—Costume.—Governor of Kan-dyu, a singular Character, takes charge of an Official Communication to the Governor of Saigon.—Inhabitants very polite.—Dress almost exclusively in Silk.—Physiognomy and Form.—Habitations.—Costume.—Shops.—Royal Boats
The Author proceeds to Saigon.—River of Saigon.—Saigon.—Superstitious Emblems.—M. Diard.—Cochin Chinese Females and Morality.—Markets.—Manufactures.—Bingeh and Saigon.—Fort.—Conference respecting the Governor General’s Letter.—Retinue of the Mandarins.—Hospitality of the Chinese Settlers.—Audience of the Governor of Saigon.—Combat between a Tiger and Elephants.—Proceed to Turon.—Coast of Cochin China.—Fishing Tribes.—Boats.—Turon Bay.—Geology, &c.—Visit Turon.—A limited Number allowed to visit HuÉ.—Wretched Accommodations for the Passage
Voyage from Turon Bay to HuÉ.—Mouth of the River of HuÉ.—Politeness of the Cochin Chinese has not tended to ameliorate the Treatment of Females.—Arrive at HuÉ.—Perpetual watch kept over the Members of the Mission.—Military Costume.—The Governor General’s Letter to the King sent to the Mandarin of Elephants.—The Chinese Translation altered.—Interview with the Mandarin.—Canal surrounding the City.—Beautiful Prospects on the River of HuÉ.—Neatness of the Villages.—Horses.—Soil.—Fortified City.—French Mandarins.—Conference with the Mandarin of Elephants.—Difficulty respecting an Audience with the King.—An Entertainment served.—Further Discussion.—The Audience with the King refused.—Beauty and strength of the Fort.—Inhospitality of the Government.—Royal Barracks.—Artillery Store-Houses.—Enormous Gun.—Citadel.—Remarks on the French Interest at court.—The Presents from the Governor General and an Audience refused.—Poverty of the Bazar
