1690. Every thing being ready, we went away to the audience FIG. 6. The boat on board which were carried the letters for the King of Siam, and the Berklam, on the day of our audience. 1690. windows. There were two entries into the Hall, with window between them; Poles of Bambous were fix'd t the pillars on each side of the Hall hung with white Cloth behind which, between the pillars and the wall, were the Berklam's servants and domesticks, without any order some sitting, some lying on the ground. Before sate the Mandarins, as Oja Tewejaata, a Mahometan, set over the Querry of the King's Elephants, next to the Berklam or his right, Oja Pipat, Deputy Berklam to his left, both Boesets. with golden Boesets before them. Boesets are cubica boxes made of Pinang, and marks of the King's favour which he presents his Mandarins with, when he gives them their names, and raises them to that dignity, which is never done without having first ask'd advice of his Astrologers. Below these two there sate several other Siamish, Chinese, and Mahometan Mandarins. I counted twenty three to the Berklam's right, and one and twenty to his left. Seven of the chief on each side sitting uppermost, had golden, and two others which sate next them silver Boesets standing before them. The Letters, with the purses, bason and other ornaments, were plac'd before the Berklam about four or five paces from him. We sate in the middle between the two rows of Mandarins, a Pinang bason with Betel and Pinang minc'd, and Jasmin and other flowers laid round the borders for ornaments sake, was set before each of us. The Berklam, as representing the person of the King sate in a particular enclos'd apartment, at the upper end of the Hall, behind an embroider'd Carpet laid over a pole of Bambous and rais'd about two or three foot above the ground, shewing only the upper part of his Body. Two gilt Umbrello's were plac'd before him, one at each side. Behind him were two golden Daggers, laid upon as many cushions, and a state Scimeter as above describ'd stood at each side. Two European pictures hung behind him on the wall encompass'd with branch'd work, instead of frames, after the Country fashion. Having all seated our selves, the Berklam ask'd Mynheer van Hoorn by the Interpreter, how the General of our East India Company did, how long he had been in the Indies, what Troops we had now at Batavia and at Bantam, which of the two was the better Country, as also who we, the Captain and I were? These and some other questions being severally answer'd, the purses containing the Letters were open'd, and the Letters having pass'd through the hands of several of the Mandarins then present, read aloud. The Interpreter not understanding some of the Malayan expressions, Mr. Moses and Daniel were desir'd to help him out. The audience having lasted about three quarters of an hour, we were conducted by the Berklam's Son, who till then had been behind his Father, through his other House to our prows, and from thence to dinner, which stood prepar'd for us. 1690. themselves in the River. Lizard. Nothing else remarkable happen'd during our stay at Siamites Siam, except, that towards the latter end of this month an forbid to wash order from the King was made publick, forbidding his Subjects to wash themselves in the River. I saw afterwards several Siamites washing themselves in their boats with River-water, it being impossible for this Nation to Venomous live without Water. The reason of this order was, because Water several people had been bit of late by a venomous water Snake, or Lizard, and died a few hours after. I was told that these Snakes do not exceed a finger in length, and a Leech in bigness, that they are cheker'd with brown and blue, and that they infest the River but once in eight or ten years. To oblige the people to a strict compliance with this order, it was order'd at the same time, that the Relations or Heirs of every Person that should die of the bite of this venomous Creature, should pay a fine of fifteen Thails. [Chap. II. 1690. Present state of the Court of Siam. History of His rise. Chap. II. The present State of the Court of Siam, with a description of Juthia, the Capital City and Place of the King's Residence. He He Kingdom of Siam is the most powerful, and its Court the most magnificent among all the black Nations of Asia The present Tsiaufa, or Sovereign, is Petraatia, who upon the Death of his Predecessor Pro Narees Naray e pintsiau seiz'd the Scepter by cruelly extirpating all those, which had a better right to the Succession. had the greater power to effect this, as he was Captain General in the late King's life-time, who besides had entrusted him with the chief administration of the Kingdom during his long sickness, which at last, tho' he was not without hopes of recovery, prov'd incurable. The discovery of a Conspiracy form'd by a Minister of State, whose name was Constantin Faulcon, against the next heirs to the Crown, and their friends, furnish'd him with a fair opportunity of compassing his ends. compassing his ends. I will in a few words relate the History of this Conspirator, and the particulars of the Conspiracy it self. Faulcon, (or as he sign'd himself, Phaulkon,) was a Grecian by birth, a Man of a great understanding, of an agreeable aspect, and an eloquent Tongue, notwithstanding he was brought up to no learning, and had pass'd his younger years mostly at Sea among different nations, particularly the English, whose Languages he had learnt. Being in the service of the latter in quality of Cockswain, he came to Siam, and obtain'd an employment at Court. His natural parts, ready apprehension and good success in affairs entrusted with him, which were first of small consequence, but by degrees of more moment, rais'd him in the space of nine years to the highest credit and |