River in it, very deep, rapid, full of water, and broader than the Elbe; but below Judia, down to the Sea, it divides it self into several branches. The account, which the Natives give of its source, differs from what is represented in our maps; for they say, that it takes its rise like the Ganges of Bengale in the high mountains of Imaas, where it spreads it self into several arms, which run through Cambodia, Siam, and Pegu into the Sea; and they pretend, that these arms are again joyn'd by several smaller branches, not only with each other, but also with. the Ganges it self, if they are not rather to be look'd upon altogether, as so many branches deriving from that very River. If it was not for the vast pains it would require to trace out its several Channels, through the Forests and Desarts, and to open a navigation, it might perhaps be made possible for Vessels to go from hence into Bengale. I will not stand to the truth of this account; but as for what relates to the description of the River from Judia to the Sea, and the draught I have given of it, this wants no support; forasmuch as I have had sufficient opportunity, and leisure, to observe it myself in sailing up and down. In the Draught, which I here present to the Reader, (Fig. 24) I have mark'd the natural course of it, with its several turnings measured with a large Compass, its several branches, both where they separate and joyn again, the situation of its banks, and adjoyning forests, villages, temples, and the new Forts lately rais'd in order to prevent the escape of the French General and his Soldiers. 1690. observ'd in the Several remarkable particulars are to be observ'd in this Remarkable River. 1. It overflows its branches like the Nile in Particulars Egypt, tho' at contrary times, and by setting the Country Meinam. under water, renders it fruitful. This overflowing begins with the Month of September or sooner, when the Sun entring the Tropick of Cancer, by its approach dissolves the Snow on the high Mountains to the North. To this also contributes not a little the rainy Season, which falls in with that time, and is observ'd in all Countries situate 1690. between the two Tropicks, when the Sun passes over the Heads of their Inhabitants. A most remarkable Instance of the Wisdom and Goodness of the Omnipotent Creator. In December the Waters begin to fall by degrees, and at last confine themselves to their former Channel. 2. Tho' the Water in the Earth appears upon digging the Ground to be regularly level with the River-water, yet it is observ'd to rise sooner, and to flow over the Surface of the Land, even before the River begins to swell, or can let any Water run over the Banks into the flat Country. 3. All the Water that appears upon digging the Ground hath a nitrous, not a salt, taste all over the Country, and is consequently not fit for drinking, whereas the Riverwater, tho' muddy, yet is always sweet, fit for drinking and wholesome. 4. Whereas all Waters naturally run towards the Sea, as lying lowest, with respect to the Land, yet it is observ'd, that this Inundation does not so much affect the Country near the Sea-shore, as it does the upper and middle Parts of the Kingdom. 5. The Waters by overflowing the Fields that are sown, make the Rice grow so quickly, that the Stalks grow as fast as the Water rises, and the Ears keep above the Surface, which when ripe, are cut off by the Reapers in Boats, and gather'd, but the Straw, which often is of an incredible length, is left in the Water. 6. When the Waters fall and return to their former Channel, which happens about the beginning of the North Season, as it is call'd, when the Northerly Winds drive the Water down, and forward its running off, they are apprehensive, that a great mortality will ensue among Men and Cattle, to avert which Calamity a solemn Festival is kept throughout the whole Country, in order to appease the destroying Spirits, which remain after the Water is run off. The Ceremonies are lighting paper Lanthorns near the chief Temples, in the King's Palace, and the Houses of Persons of Distinction and the Priests singing their 1690. Banks of the Meinam. Monkeys. Offices or Prayers in their Convents. Our Europeans have observed, that if the Northerly Winds, which commonly blow very strong at that time, are not high enough to push the Water forward, and that consequently it goes off but slowly, there appears a slime left on the ground, the putrefaction and ill smell of which is not unlike to be the occasion of the said mortality. The banks of this river are low, and for the greater part marshy, yet reckoning from Judia to Bankok, which makes at least three parts in four of the way to the Seashore, they are pretty well inhabited. Along them appear many villages, the houses of which are rais'd on piles, but built of poor slight stuff, and sometimes fine Temples and Habitations of the priests, with abundance of Trees some bearing fruit, some not. But from Bankok to the Harbour there is nothing but Forests, Desarts and Morasses; and every where there is plenty of Bambous, and Gabbe Gabbe, (a Shrub with leaves like those of the Palm Tree) furnishing the Inhabitants with materials to make Houses, Hedges and Roofs. Three sorts of animals afford much diversion to Travellers sailing on this River. First are to be seen incredible numbers of Monkey's of a blackish Colour, some of which are of a very large size, and some less of the common sort, and a grey colour, which walk about tame, and as it were for pleasure sake along the shore, or climb up the Trees, but towards evening perch themselves upon the highest Trees on the shore in great numbers like Crows. The she ones hold their young so fast on their breasts, that they would not let them go, even when they were shot down. They are fond of this part of the Country on account of finding their food there on large Milk Trees, call'd Tjaak, growing there in great plenty, with light green leaves of an oval shape, and a fruit not unlike our Apples as to their bigness and form, except that they seem compress'd, and are of a very harsh taste. Glowworms. The Glowworms (Cicindelæ) represent another shew, which settle on some Trees, like a fiery cloud, with this surprizing 1690. circumstance, that a whole swarm of these Insects, having taken possession of one Tree, and spread themselves over its branches, sometimes hide their Light all at once, and a moment after make it appear again with the utmost regularity and exactness, as if they were in a perpetual Systole and Diastole. What is remarkable in the third place, are the common Gnats, or Flies, which in the day Gnats very time appear but sparingly upon the water, but at night in troublesome to such swarms like Bees, that it is difficult to guard against them. There is a sort like these in Russia, with which Travellors are pester'd, but they are smaller, have a less sting, and consequently do not hurt so much. This Vermin renders this Journey by water, which would be otherwise pleasant enough, very troublesome and disagreeable. Travellors. On the Seventh of July, being Friday, at break of day Return on we left the River and the Land, and with a favourable board. North-wind arriv'd at eight of the clock on board our Ship, which lay at anchor four Leagues from the mouth of the River in six fathom of water. This harbour, or road, is the end of a bay between the Countries of Cambodia and Siam: It hath a soft clay at the bottom, and its depth. is about five or six fathoms more or less. Yonks and Ships unladen may by the help of the tide come up as far as Bankok. There lay several Yonks, or Chinese Merchant-ships near the mouth of the River, where several marks were set up to avoid the shallows. Besides these there were several Fisher-boats, the Fisher-men catching thereabouts great numbers of Fish, particularly Rays, of whose skin the Japonese make the finest sort of work. The Fisher-men use also to fix pales in shallow grounds, where the fresh water mixes with the salt, or Sea-water, which they take away again the next day, when it ebbs, with so many shells sticking to it, as fifty people are able to eat. Being come on board we found the Ships Company, Officers as well as common Sailors, very much divided with mutual jealousies, which disorder increas'd by their excessive drinking of Lau, a sort of Brandy |