Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 618

CAMBODIA.

Cambodia, or the Kingdom of the Khmer, as it is called by the natives, extends from 101 deg. 30 min. to 104 deg. 30 min. longitude, and from 10 deg. 30 min. to 14 deg. latitude. It was reduced to its present proportions in 1860 by the annexation of its two richest provinces, Angcor and Battambang, to Siam. Its area is about 62,000 square miles. It is bounded on the south-west by the Gulf of Siam, on the south-east by French Cochin-China, on the north by the Laos, and on the north- west and west by Battambang and Angeor. The noble river Meikong flows through 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. There are some other navigable rivers in the country, but none that compare with this "Great Father of Waters. The soil of Cambodia is rich and productive, and rice, pepper, indigo, cotton, tobacco, sugar, maize. and cardamons 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 being 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.

Animal life is abundant. Among others, the elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, buffalo, deer of many species, wild boar, as the monkey may be mentioned. Reptiles of every kind are to be found, from the alligator to the lizard. Winged game of all sorts, including snipe, woodcock, pheasants, peafowl, teal, partridges, and wild ducks swarm. Hares and rabbits are to be found everywhere. The fisheries of Cambodia are very productive, and salt fish forms one chief article of export.

Cambodia was once an extensive and powerful state, and proofs that it persessed A much higher civilisation than now prevails are to be found in the architectural remnants of former grandeur. The noble ruins of the pient city of Angoor are monuments of a people much superior to the feble race which now inhabits Cambodia. The Cambodians differ entirely from their neighbours the Annamites, both in features and cust: Polygamy is practised among them. The prevailing religion is Budd- hism. Th people are apathetic and indolt, and allow the trade to fall into the hands of Chinese, of whom there are abt 100,000 in the country. The entire roulation of the kingdom in 1882 was 950, 700, of which number 130,000 were slaves. Slavery, however, was abolished by the Trey of 1884.

The Government of Cambodia is a monarchy, under French protection. The present King, Somdach Pra Maha Norodom, is forty-seven years of age and suc- ceeded his father King Ang Duong, who died in 1860. As in Siam, there is a Second King, Maha Oberak, brother to the King, but his title is purely nominal and his power equally so. King Norodom I. is intelligent and amiable, but wanting in resolution. In June, 1884, the King of Cambodia signed a new treaty with France by which the administration of the country is handed over to French Residents.

Phnom-penh, the present capital of Cambodia and seat of the Government, is 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. It contains some fine apartments. Attached to the Palace, and inside the Palace walls, are the Hall of Justice, Audience Rooms, Treasury, Armoury, and some steam workshops and magazines. The King possesses three small steamers and several steam launches. His workshops are superintended by European engineers and a European has charge of the public works. Phnom-penh is improving under the present rule. Good roads are being made, and brick houses are gradually super- Beding less durable structures. There is a strong iron bridge, and a telegraph office. Barracks have been constructed. The French Resident-General has a handsome residence in the city. The European firms have erected substantial and commodious premises. The population of Phnom-penh is estimated at 60,000.