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The Kingdom and People of Siam: With a Narrative of the Mission to that Country in 1855 (Cambridge Library Collection - Perspectives from the Royal Asiatic Society)
Published in two volumes in 1857, this was the most successful work of the linguist and politician Sir John Bowring (1792–1872). His varied career included work as an editor and translator, service as an M.P. in Britain and as a consul in China, and the controversial governorship of Hong Kong. His appointment to this last post in 1854 saw him aggressively assert British interests with little regard for Asian sensibilities. The following year he travelled to Siam (Thailand) to negotiate a treaty with that country which became a model for future agreements, giving the Siamese government an insight into Western diplomacy which would be invaluable. Volume 1 is an illustrated introduction to the country, following the structure of Bishop Pallegoix's earlier work, with chapters on Siam's geography and history; population; manners and customs; legislation; resources, industry and finances; culture and religion; and its capital, Bangkok.
- GenresHistory
520 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1857
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About the author
John Bowring
272 books1 followerSir John Bowring was an English political economist, traveller, miscellaneous writer, polyglot, and the 4th Governor of Hong Kong.
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August 11, 2017
It's a pity I couldn't recall when I delightfully came across any Thai journal mentioning the book written by Sir John Bowring after his 1855 visit to Siam as the representative of the Sovereign of Great Britain to negotiate with King Mongut (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongkut) and his dignitaries that eventually led to a treaty of commerce - the Bowring Treaty. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bo...) Thus, I've since longed to read his book till I could get its two-volume set at the DASA Book Cafe in Bangkok late last June. While reading the following contents, I think, we can't help admiring his diligence and scholarship for this title accomplished after his only 0ne-month stay in Siam.
Volume I: Chapter I. Geography, II. History, III. Population, IV. Manners, Customs, Superstitions, Amusements, V. Legislation, VI. Natural Productions, VII. Manufactures, VIII. Commerce, IX. Revenues, X. Language and Literature, XI. Religion, XII. Christian Missions to Siam, XIII. Bangkok
I liked most of his descriptions; however, I still found some so tediously unfamiliar that I made do with my conclusive understanding of his Victorian English as we can see from his observant narration dating back 162 years ago from the H.B.M.S. Rattler heading toward Bangkok:
The approach to Bangkok is equally novel and beautiful. The Meinam is skirted on the two sides with forest-trees, many of which are of a green so bright as to defy the powers of art to copy. Some are hung with magnificent and fragrant flowers; upon others are suspended a variety of tropical fruits. Gay birds, in multitudes, are seen on the branches in repose, or winging their active way from one place to another. The very sandbanks are full of life; and a sort of amphibious fish are fitting from the water, to be lost among the roots of the jungle-wood. On the stream all varieties of vessels are moving up and down, some charged with leaves of the atap palm, which at once adorn and cause them to be wafted by the wind along the water. . . (p. 392)
From the passage, there is a word in the second sentence that may confound us, that is, 'Meinam' obviously transliterated from แม่น้ำ (pronounced /mae nam/) in Thai is equivalent to 'river'. As far as the fame of Bangkok in 19th century or earlier has been primarily concerned to foreign visitors by remarking it as once famed 'Venice of the East' due to its innumerable canals, Sir John couldn't help expressing his impression as one of the witnesses who confirmed the fame by writing his observation:
The highways of Bangkok are not streets or roads, but the river and the canals. Boats are the universal means of conveyance and communication. Except about the palaces of the Kings, horses or carriages are rarely seen, and the sedan of the Chinese appears unknown in Siam: but a boat is a necessary part of every person's household; to its dexterous management every child is trained -- women and men are equally accustomed to the use of the oar, the paddle, and the rudder. . . (p. 420)
This book might not be sensationally interesting, I think, to modern readers except those Siamophiles keen on knowing the Siamese past so that they could learn Siamese history by observing what happened, who said what, how action taken, etc. in the midst of coming foreign friend or foe in the period of seemingly looming Western colonialism then. Therefore, this book is one of the important publications on Siam written by a famous British diplomat/negotiator whose treaty commonly referred as 'the Bowring Treaty' has since been acknowledged as the first successful one in which its descriptions, impressions, criticisms, etc. should be more or less taken into account and learned from what the author perceived and thought as such.
Volume I: Chapter I. Geography, II. History, III. Population, IV. Manners, Customs, Superstitions, Amusements, V. Legislation, VI. Natural Productions, VII. Manufactures, VIII. Commerce, IX. Revenues, X. Language and Literature, XI. Religion, XII. Christian Missions to Siam, XIII. Bangkok
I liked most of his descriptions; however, I still found some so tediously unfamiliar that I made do with my conclusive understanding of his Victorian English as we can see from his observant narration dating back 162 years ago from the H.B.M.S. Rattler heading toward Bangkok:
The approach to Bangkok is equally novel and beautiful. The Meinam is skirted on the two sides with forest-trees, many of which are of a green so bright as to defy the powers of art to copy. Some are hung with magnificent and fragrant flowers; upon others are suspended a variety of tropical fruits. Gay birds, in multitudes, are seen on the branches in repose, or winging their active way from one place to another. The very sandbanks are full of life; and a sort of amphibious fish are fitting from the water, to be lost among the roots of the jungle-wood. On the stream all varieties of vessels are moving up and down, some charged with leaves of the atap palm, which at once adorn and cause them to be wafted by the wind along the water. . . (p. 392)
From the passage, there is a word in the second sentence that may confound us, that is, 'Meinam' obviously transliterated from แม่น้ำ (pronounced /mae nam/) in Thai is equivalent to 'river'. As far as the fame of Bangkok in 19th century or earlier has been primarily concerned to foreign visitors by remarking it as once famed 'Venice of the East' due to its innumerable canals, Sir John couldn't help expressing his impression as one of the witnesses who confirmed the fame by writing his observation:
The highways of Bangkok are not streets or roads, but the river and the canals. Boats are the universal means of conveyance and communication. Except about the palaces of the Kings, horses or carriages are rarely seen, and the sedan of the Chinese appears unknown in Siam: but a boat is a necessary part of every person's household; to its dexterous management every child is trained -- women and men are equally accustomed to the use of the oar, the paddle, and the rudder. . . (p. 420)
This book might not be sensationally interesting, I think, to modern readers except those Siamophiles keen on knowing the Siamese past so that they could learn Siamese history by observing what happened, who said what, how action taken, etc. in the midst of coming foreign friend or foe in the period of seemingly looming Western colonialism then. Therefore, this book is one of the important publications on Siam written by a famous British diplomat/negotiator whose treaty commonly referred as 'the Bowring Treaty' has since been acknowledged as the first successful one in which its descriptions, impressions, criticisms, etc. should be more or less taken into account and learned from what the author perceived and thought as such.
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