Directory_and_Chronicle_1881 — Page 468

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454

BANGKOK.

innumerable fields which line the fertile valley of the Menam, but from the adjacent rivers which flow into te Gulf from the enormous watershed of the mountain crescent which fringes the northern extremity of the kingdom. The outturn of this grain in favourable years is scarcely to be calculated. It not only furnishes support to the native population of Siam and the Peninsula, but supplies 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 minor articles of native produce which are exported to China and the Straits. There is a regular line of steamers to Hongkong, under the English flag, besides special boats only running during the rice season, and five connecting the kingdom with the Straits Settlements; one of these is Siamese, the others British. These steamers run at stated intervals all the year round, and are only removed from the line for repairs or in case of sudden emergency. The sailing craft of every flag, rig, and denomination are innumerable. Of public institutions for foreign use, Bangkok can only boast an Episcopal Chapel and a Protestant Cemetery. There are also a Pilots' Club and a Ladies' Library, both in a flourishing condition. An American Bowling Alley and two Hotels are the only buildings devoted to amusement and refreshment. The native palaces, temples, and public buildings are magnificent and on a large scale. The architecture is of a kind peculiar to the country and there is more of novelty and interest to be witnessed by passing travellers in Bangkok in a few hours, than can be found in China in many weeks. There are three newspapers published in the city, two in the English language and one in the native tongue. The first is a daily sheet con- taining merely the arrivals and departures of vessels and advertisements; the second is a weekly, and both are conducted by a missionary. The native journal is also a weekly, published by authority of the Government and fulfilling the functions a Gazette. The imports during the year 1879, as reported by the Custom House, amounted to $6,489,817; the exports to $10,807,445; but the actual amount of both was probably much in excess of this value.

DIRECTORY.

Consulates and Government Offices.

PORTUGUESE CONSULATE GENERAL.

(Established 1820.)

Consul General for Siam and Straits Settle-

ments-A. F. Marques Pereira Clerk and Interpreter A. J. F. da Luz Messenger-Majudin Gaoler-Long

CONSULATE OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA.

(Established May 29th, 1856.)

Consul General—Gen, John A. Haldermau Vice-consul-Rev. N. A. McDonald Clerk of Consular Court―J. W. Torrey

BRITISH AGENCY AND CONSULATE GENERAL.

(Established June 14th, 1856.\

Political Agent & Con. General-W. Gifford

Palgrave

Vice-consul-W. H. Newman

1st Assistant -E. B. Gould

2nd Assistant-E. H. French

Student Interpreter-E. C. Cording

Medical Attendant-G. Stevenson Smith Constables-H. A. Gardner and natives

I

FRENCH CONSULATE. (Established July, 1856.)

Commissioner and Consul-E. Blancheton Chancelier-Interprète-E. Lorgeou Student Interpreter-C. Dautremer Native Interpreter-P. Niu Clerk-P. Chin

European Constable-Mato Gübesich

DANISH CONSULATE.

(Established 1858.)

Consul-F. S. Clarke

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN LEGATION AND

CONSULATE.

(Established March, 1866.)

Consul J. J. Riechmaun

SWEDISH AND NORWEGIAN CONSULATE. Consul-W. Müller

NETHERLANDS CONSULATE.

Consul T. Salmon (absent)

Acting Consul—P. S. Hamei

Special Interpreter-D. B. Bradley

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