1690.

Every thing being ready, we went away to the audience
in the following order. First, Opera Sijot the Moor, then
the three other Mandarins, each in his prow. Next
follow'd the prow, which carried the Letters for the King
and Berklam, which were writ in Malayan and Dutch, and
kept each in a Purse embroider'd with gold. The purses
were laid in a golden bason, which was cover'd with an
embroider'd cloth, and put into a box of Pinang, adorn'd
with pearls according to the custom of the Country. With
these Ornaments they were plac'd upon a stool right under
the middle of the Canopy. The Interpreter sate before
them upon a Carpet. We follow'd next to the prow with
the King's Letters in a particular short prow sitting under
a Canopy lin'd with red. In this order we went up the
River, coasting for some time the walls of the City, and
then turning in towards the Berklam's House, where he
gives publick audience, and appears with all his pomp and
splendor. We went ashore on this side of his House,
and walk'd the remaining part of our way thither.
thither. The
Court was dirty and nasty enough, but however in some-
what better a condition, than that of his other House,
where we had had a private audience of him some Days
before. Entring the Court we took notice to the left of
an open House, or Room, almost square, without walls,
the floor of which was cover'd with boards and full of
people, some sitting, some walking and conversing
together. A large Elephant compleatly harnass'd stood in
the Stable to the right. Opposite to the entry was a stony
staircase, leading to the Berklam's House, where we were
to have our audience. We went up the same and then
pull'd off our Shoes. This House hath but one single
Room, or rather lofty Hall, like a Church. It is white
within and full of Dust and Cobwebs. Seven square
pillars on each side, supported the cieling, which was rais'd
under the third roof, and neatly enough painted with red
branch'd work. About the middle of each pillar hung a
large plate of chinese Copper. In the wall between the
pillars were long openings with shutters instead of

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
Constantin
Faulcon.

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