BANGKOK.
The town of Bangkok is situated on both sides of the Menam, about thirty miles from where this magnificent stream empties itself into the Gulf. On the east bank of the river is the city proper enclosed by a wall, the Royal palaces, the foreign hongs, the Consulates, the principal rice mills, and most of the Public Offices. The left is principally occupied by the Siamese, Chinese, and Mahomedan residents, though the ex-Foreign Minister's House and the Yanen of the Prime Minister are situated on canals leading from it. The bulk of the business is, however, trans- acted on the east. Here a roal, not in all places passable for wheeled vehicles in the wet season, the Charura Krung, extends from the Palace walls to Bangkolem, and a telegraph line connects the Light-house at the Bur beyond the mouth of the river with the business portion of the city. Bangkok is now connected, through Saigon, with the rest of the world by wire, and a line to Lower Barmaa has since been completed. The principal trade of Bangkok, and the foundation on which not only its prosperity but its actual existence mainly rests, is rice. This article is drawn in immense quantities, not only from the innumerable fields which line the fertile valley of the Menam, but from the adjacent rivers which flow into the Gulf from the enormous watershed of the mountain crescent which fringes the northern exerenity of the kingdom. The out- turn of this grain in favourabie years is scarcely to be calcuated. It not only furnishes sup- port to the native population of Siam and the Peninsula, but supp.ies China, Manila, the Straits, and even Java and Sumatra. There is also a large and flourishing trade in teak wood and ivory, with very many other min r articles of native produce which are exported to China and the Straits. The steamers of the Scottish Oriental Steam- ship Co. keep up regular communication with Hongkong, (occasionally leaving and returning via Swatow and the Straits Settlements), besides special boats only running during the rice season; while another line of steamers connect the kingdom with the Straits Settlements.
The public buildings and institutions include the British Consular Church, a Roman Catholic Cathe Iral, several Missionary Chapels both Protestant and Catholic, one Hospital extant and another projecte i, a Lalies' Library, several Schools under Government, Assumption College, managet by the French Roman Catholic Mission, liberally patronised by the King, aal assistel by the community generally. There are two Hotels, one a new one on a han some scale; also a ciub called the Bangkok United Club. The King's palace, temples, aal public buildings are magnificent and on a large scale. Tae architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country, and there is more of novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellors in Bangkok than can be found in Cainese cities. The population of Bangkok is estimated at 350,000.
The imports during the year 1886, as reported by the Custom House, amounted to $7,384,710 aз compared with $6,830,018 in 1835, and $6,217,893 in 1854; tue exports to $10,372,818 as compared with $3,436,73) in 1385, and $11,194,572 in 1884; but the actual amount of botù was probably in excess of this value. The principal imports were piece goods and opium, the principal export rice.
DIRECTORY.
H.M. Somdetch P'ra Paramindr Mahah
Chulalonkorn, King of Siam H.R.H. Krom Mun Samet Amabandhu, private secretary to H.M. for the Siamese Branch
H.E.H. Prince Sonapandit, private secret- ary to H.M. for the Foreign branch
ROYAL GOVERNMENT. CIVIL DEPARTMENT.
Chow Phya Ratana Patindr, Minister of
the North of the Interior
WAR DEPARTMENT. Chow P'rayah Surawongs Waiyawat t'ee Samuha P'ra Kalahome, Minister of War and Marine