AT HOME IN SIAM.

At Singapore, we embarked on board the
H. E. I. Co.'s new steamer Auckland, which
was to convey us to Siam. The captain had
received orders to cruise about in certain
latitudes, in search of pirates, real or
imaginary. Much to my comfort, they remained
invisible. Upon our voyage, there occurred
only one incident worth telling. One evening,
just before sunset, we anchored off Tringam,
the chief town of a small territory on the
Malayan peninsula. A party was ordered off
in search of fresh provisions, while the
captain took us on shore in his gig, that we
might enjoy the luxury of a walk and a peep
at the natives. We were received by a
crowd of half-clad men, women, and children.
I believe I was the first Englishwoman who
had ever been there; but as for our little
girl of three years old, it was she who most
mightily excited curiosity. We were
informed of the Sultan's wish, that we should
immediately proceed to the palace, or audience
hall, where he was waiting to know why a
war-steamer had anchored off the town, and
more especially, for what reason so many
officers and men had landed. Three boats
had left our vessel; there were therefore six
or more officers present, as well as the
captain, C., myself, Maud, and her native
nurse.

On arriving at the audience hall, followed
by the rabble, we found his highness the
Sultan seated on an elevated platform, at one
end of his shed; around him knelt, or
sprawled, his officers and immediate attendants,
while about three feet lower, on a
boarded floor, by which the building was
surrounded, crouched the people, as if they
were all playing at toads, for that was the
effect of the peculiar manner in which they
prostrated themselves. The captain and C.
advanced first, side by side, while I, having
no fancy to be left among the crowd, stole in
between them, and the group of officers
closed the procession. After every one had
bowed, and the Sultan had solemnly signed
each to a seat, he addressed C. in Malay, and
inquired, naturally enough, who we were,
and why we had come? There was some
difficulty in making suitable reply, since I
alone of the party knew anything of the
language. But, I rose to my position, and
informed his Majesty, that a treaty of
commerce had been concluded between England
and Siam, that a consul had been nominated,
and that C. was on his way in the Auckland,
to commence, in that character, his duties
at Bangkok. The fact was new and of some
interest to the Sultan, as his country is
tributary to Siam, and he is bound yearly to
present a golden tree to the King of the
White Elephant.

Little Maud was much noticed and
honoured by a place on the great man's knee.
There she gravely sat throughout the interview,
not a bit astonished or perturbed by
the strange scene around her. The Sultan
broke off, now and then, his endless string of
questions, while he stroked her head or hands,
and admired her complexion.

During the day his Majesty and his suite
visited the steamer, by which they were
received with a salute, that greatly shook
their nerves. It was amusing to see the
terror expressed in their faces at the quick
succession of the loud reports. The Sultan
earnestly begged of me to tell the captain,
that he was quite sensible of the honour
intended, but would rather not have any
more. He had, however, the benefit of a full
salute, which was continued by the sailors for
the love of fun.

On the first of June we came to an anchor
off the bar of the river Menam. The vessel
lay at anchor nearly ten miles from the
shore, which was so low and flat, that it
could be scarcely traced, even with the aid
of a glass. The bar is an extensive shoal
across the entrance of the river, and there is
generally a heavy swell on it during the
greater part of the twenty-four hours. Here
we remained tossing and rolling four long
days, vainly expecting some means of
conveyance up to Bangkok, the Auckland being
a vessel too large for the river.

At length two paddle-boats came alongside.
The royal paddlers, selected by his
Majesty the King of Siam to transport us to
Bangkok, were all clad in a kind of livery,
consisting of scarlet calico jackets and caps,
much the worse for wear, and terribly in
need of soap and water. The boats were
long narrow canoes, with a square platform
exactly in the centre, for the accommodation