Directory_and_Chronicle_1868 — Page 53

44

WEIGHTS, MEASURES, &c.

or less, as the case may be in regard to his age. He can tell quite certainly whether hig age is within the first cycle of 12, or the second, third, or fourth; but if he be upwards of 60 years old, he is liable to get bewildered in his reckoning, for the want of the habit of counting his years by the year of the Era in which he was born. This the Siamese never do.

The Siamese sacred Era is reckoned from the time it is supposed Buddh died, which was 2,409 years at the full moon in May, 1866. This reckoning is never used except in their religious matters. It is denominated Põõtà Sákkácát (Era of Buddh). Their civil Era, called Chōōlá Súkkárát (little Era), as reckoned from the time when Pra Rooang, a Siamese king of great celebrity, established it, and that was 1227 full years in March, 1666. Siamese, in writing their dates, always show first the year of their Era; second the day of the week; third the day of the waxing or waning moon; fourth the number of the month; fifth the names of the year; and sixth the particular year of the cycle of 10. Their mode of showing the day of week, day of moon, and the month is very concise.

WEIGHTS, MEASURES, &c.

TABLE OF SIAMESE MONEY.

4 P'eis 2 Fu'ang

make 1 Fulang

$0.076

1 Sälü'ng

0-150

"1

+ Salü'ngs 4 Bäts

1 Bät or Tical

0-600

"

99

:

}}

1 Tämlit'ng

2:400

""

20 Tämlü'ngs

""

1 Chang

48·000

""

50 Chängs 100 Hiệp

"2

1 Hap

2.400-300

>>

1 Tära

"

**

24,000-000

NOTE. The standard of weight being the coin of the country, weights are designated by the same terms. A Tical weights 236 grims Troy.

The Siamese standard of weight is just double that of the Chinese; and goods are bought and sold in Bangkok more by the Chinese than the Siamese standard.

LONG MEASURE.

13

1 Niw....

-inch.

16

12 Niws

make

1 Kúp

91

2 K ́ú'ps

1 Sawk

12!

多少

15

4 Sawks

1 Wah

73

"J

""

+9

20 Wals

1 Sën

130 feet.

**

400 Sens

1 Yot

9 statute miles.

**

29

NOTE. Timber is bought by the Yok, which is 64 Säwk in length, by 1 Säwk in width=36,864 Siamese incles, being equivalent to 169 square feet.

DRY MEASURE.

1 Tänan..

20 Tänan

make

1 Tổng

13 pints. 15 "

25 Tänan

1 Sat

100 Tángs or 80 Sat

1 Keean (Coyan.)

NOTE.-A Keean is 20 Ficuls. A Picul, is 1331⁄2 lbs. A voirdupois.

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