24 



The first opportunity* which presented itself to me, of making the 

 comparison, was in the city of New York, in the summer of 1836, I 

 think, when I proposed the examination to them, through their con- 

 ductor, Mr. Hale; and he having obligingly seconded my purpose, 

 they also, after being satisfied about my motives, consented to sub- 

 mit to it. 



The examination took place in the afternoon, in one of the rooms 

 of the Clinton Hotel, and was thus conducted: a number of questions 

 previously prepared, were propounded by Mr. Hale to Eng, and by 

 me to Cheng. Their answers to each question, communicated to us 

 in a whisper, were written down by us before we proceeded to ano- 

 ther question. Some of the prepared questions, by the advice of Mr. 

 Hale, were not asked, and one or two of their answers, in which they 

 had indulged in personalities that might offend, were at their instance 

 suppressed; with these exceptions, the questions and answers sub- 

 joined are to the letter as they were given. 



Question 1. What part of America puts you most in mind of 

 Siam? 



Cheng. New Orleans. 



Eng. Louisiana. 



2. Where did you stay longest in England? 

 Both. In Glasgow. 



3. Whom did you see first in London? 

 Cheng. I did not know him. 



Eng. Charles something, but I can't recollect the whole name. 



4. Have you been sick in this country? How long ill? 

 Cheng. Yes, twice, once fourteen days. 



Eng. Yes, in New York, with a head-ache, and in Ohio with 

 fever and ague. 



By way of comparing their associating faculties, several words 

 were then mentioned to them, and they were asked what these words 

 suwerested to their minds. Thus, 



DO 7 



5. What does the word London suggest? 



Cheng. What a dark place it is. They went about in the day by 

 torch-light. f 



Eng. St. Paul's. 



* I had indeed seen them some time before, in the neighbouring village of 

 Charlottesville, but they were too impatient to proceed on their journey to 

 allow of the examination then. 



t The Siamese youths reached London in November, when its fogs are 

 most dense. 



