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CAMBODIA.
the kingdom, and after passing through French Cochin-China, empties itself, by a number of mouths, into the sea. The Meikong is the grand waterway of Cambodia, and, like the Nile in Egypt, lays the greater part of the country under water annually, greatly increasing its fertility. The soil of Cambodia is rich and productive, and rice, pepper, indigo, cotton, tobacco, sugar, maize, and cardamoms are cultivated. Coffee and spices of all sorts could be grown. Among woods, ebony, rose, sapan, pine, iron, and other valuable sorts exist, no less than eighty different kinds of timber hing found in the forests. Iron of good quality has been discovered, and it is affirmed that there are gold, silver, and lead mines in the mountains. The fisheries of Cambodia are very productive, and salt fish forms one of the chief articles of export.
Cambodia was once an extensive and powerful state, and proofs that it possessed a much higher civilisation than now prevails are to be found in the architectural remnants of former grandeur. The noble ruins of the ancient city of Angcor are monuments of a people much superior to the feeble race which now inhabits Cambodia. The Cambodians differ entirely from their neighbours the Annamites, both in features and customs. Polygamy is practised among them. The prevailing religion is Budd- hism. The people are apathetic and indolent, and have allowed the trade to fall into the hands of Chines, of whom there are about 100,000 in the country. The entire population of the kingdom in 1882 was 950,000, of which number 130,000 were slaves. Slavery, however, was abolished by the Treaty of 1884.
The Government of Cambodia is a monarchy, under French protection. The present King, Somdach Pra Maha Norodom, succeeded his father King Ang Duong in 1860. As in Siam, there is a Second King, Maha Oberak, brother to the King, but his title is purely nominal. In June, 1884, King Norodom signed a new treaty with France by which the administration of the country is handed over to French Residents,
is
Phnom-penh, the pre-ent capital of Cambodia and seat of the Government, situated on the river Meikong, nearly in the heart of the kingdom. The King's palace is a large building, and the portion devoted to his use is built and furnished in European style. Attached to the Palace, and inside the Palace walls, are the Hall of Justice, Audience Rooms, Treasury, Armoury, ard some steam workshops and magazines. The workshops are superintended by European engineers, and a European has charge of the public works. Phnom-penh is improving under the present rule. Some good roads have been made, and brick houses are gradually superseding less durable structures. The French Resident-General has a handsome residence in the city. The population of Phnom-pech is estimated at 60,000.
Trade at p.esent is limited, and the country generally is entirely undeveloped. It is practically shut out from foreign commerce, and has no seaports of any impor- tance. The port of Kamput can only be frequented by small coasting native vessels. from Sum and by Chinese junks. A railway from Saigon to Phnom-penb has been projected, but is at present in abeyance.
Supreme King-H. M. Somdach Pra Maha Interpreter-Boniface
Norodom Tippudey Kampouchia
DIRECTORY.
į
Second King-H. R. H. Somdach Pra
Mabaobbareach
Resident, Pnom-penh-Orsini do., Kratie-Thonin
do.,
Kampong-Thom--Bastard
do.,
Pursat-Garnier--Laroche
FRENCH PROTECTORATE.
RESIDENCY.
Acting Resident General-Orsini
Cabinet Counsel-Dr. Hahn
do.,
Kampot-Leclère
TREASURY.
Accountant-Walch
Private Secretary---
Resident Office Chief –Chauzeix
cailhon
Clerks-Hertrich, Varizat, Marichal
Clerks-Collard, Tellier, Cazajeux, Mar- Justice of the Peace-Gemain
Deputy Justice-Fuynel
JUSTICE.