FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE LATE GEORGE FINLAYSON, Esq. ASSISTANT SURGEON OF HIS MAJESTY’S 8TH LIGHT DRAGOONS, SURGEON AND NATURALIST TO THE MISSION . WITH A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, BY SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES, F.R.S. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET. MDCCCXXVI. LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES, Northumberland-court. DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION) TO THE HONOURABLE THE COURT OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY; THROUGH WHOSE LIBERALITY THE MISSION WAS PROVIDED WITH THE MEANS OF PROSECUTING OBJE

In the year 1821, a mission was sent by the Governor-General of Bengal to the courts of Siam and Cochin-China, having for its object the opening of a friendly intercourse between those countries and the British possessions, and the establishment of free trade on both sides. This mission it is well known was not attended with the success expected; little or no positive advantage was gained to our trade, but the foundation of a friendly intercourse was laid by the visit, and the knowledge procured

Voyage from Calcutta to Prince of Wales’ Island. — Islands of Preparis, Narcondam, Seyer, and Prince of Wales. On the 21st November we embarked on the John Adam, nearly opposite to Fort William, and dropped gradually down the river to the sand-heads. We had but one opportunity of going on shore, and this was at some distance above Sauger Island. The land was here eight or ten feet above high-water mark; soil, a very deep, black, light mould, and densely covered with low jungle. Numerous traces o

Leave Prince of Wales’ Island.—Luminous Appearance of the Sea.—Pulo Dinding.—Malacca.—Deserted Appearance.—Slaves.—Little Carimon.—Islands.—Vegetable Phenomenon.—Singapore.—Mildness and Salubrity of the Climate. January 1st, 1822. —Visited mount Palmer, on the south coast of the island. The scenery in the pass leading to it is beautiful, the finest in the island. The whole tract abounds with a great variety of plants. A road, practicable for horses, has been made across this pass; and on the sou

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.—Observ

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. The Moormen, and the two men who had conducted us to the audience-hall, now conducted us through the

Interview with the Pra-Klang.—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.—Image

The treatment of the dead is not amongst the least singular of the customs peculiar to the Siamese. It is more or less expensive according to the rank which the individual held in the community, or the ability of his relations. The poorest amongst them are negligently and without ceremony thrown into the river. Those a little higher in the scale of society are burnt; often very imperfectly, and their partially-consumed bones are left to bleach on the plain, or to be devoured by ravenous beasts.

The reverses of fortune which this province has undergone, within a comparatively short period, have been remarkable. It for a long time belonged to the ancient kingdom of Cambodia, but on the partition of that admired and beautiful, but unfortunate country, was seized upon by the Cochin-Chinese. It has since passed into the hands of the king of Siam, and has constituted an integral part of his dominions since the reign of the Chinese king. Chantibond is a mountainous country, forming the easter

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-dyn, 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.—Sho

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

Voyage from Turon Bay to Hue’.—Mouth of the River of Hue’.—Politeness of the Cochin Chinese has not tended to ameliorate the treatment of females.—Arrive at Hue’.—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 Hue’.—Neatness of the Villages.—Horses.—Soil.—Fortified city.—

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES, Northumberland Court....