Directory_and_Chronicle_1882 — Page 524

BANGKOK.

491

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 extremity of the kingdom. The ontturn 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, five in number, to Hongkong, under the English flag, besides special boats only runing during the rice season; while nine connect the kingdom with the Straits Settle ^^nts, one of which is Siamese, one German, the others British. These steamers r stated intervals all the year round, and are only removed from the line for rena 3 or in case of any sudden emergency. The sailing craft of every flag, rig, and de- nomination were innumerable, but are now much reduced. Of public institutions for foreign use, Bangkok can only boast an Episcopal Chapel and a Protest- ant Cemetery. There is also a Ladies' Library, in a flourishing condition. An American Bowling Alley and two Hotels are now 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 travel- lers 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 containing merely the arrivals and de- partures of vessels and advertisements, the second is a weekly, and both are con- ducted by a missionary. The native journal is also a weekly, published by authority of the Government and fulfilling the function of a Gazette.

The imports during the year 1880, as reported by the Custom House, amoun- ted to $6,341,519 as compared with $6,489,817 in 1879; the exports to $9,704,318 as compared with $10,807,445 in 1879; 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 for Siam and Straits Settlements-

O Commendador Henrique Prostes Secretary and Chancelier-F. de S. B.

Xavier

Interpreter and Clerk-A. F. da Luz Messenger-Abdoolah Gaolers-Uan; and Dih

CONSULATE GENERAL OF U. S. AMERICA.

(Established May 29th, 1856.)

Consul General—Gen. John A. Halderman

(absent)

Vice-consul-Rev. N. A. McDonald Clerk of Consular Court-J. W. Torrey Chaplain-Rev. W. Dean, D.D.

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 Acting Assistant-E. Cording Medical Attendant—G. Stevenson Smith Constables-H. A. Gardner and natives

FRENCH CONSULATE. (Established July, 1856.) Commissioner and Consul Chancelier-Interprète-E. Lorgeou Native Interpreter-P. Niu Clerk-P. Chin

European Constable-Mato Grbsich

DANISH Consulate. (Established 1858.)

Consul-F. S. Clarke

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN LEGATION AND

CONSULATE.

(Established March, 1866.)

Consul J. J. Riechmann

SWEDISH AND NORWEGIAN CONSULATE. Consul W. Müller