1865.] On some Siamese Inscriptions. 37 



lies now in ruins, in the neighbourhood of the present Rahein, and 

 belonged to the kingdom founded in Kampengpet. The mentioning 

 of the ocean, in defining the frontiers there, recalls the traditions of 

 the Taleins ; and Sukhothai itself is said to have been formerly a sea- 

 port. According to the Siamese legends, Phra-Ruang sailed from it 

 to conquer China (Krung Chin), in the same year in which the Chinese 

 historians (616 P. D.) speak of a tribute brought from Siam. The 

 mythic traditions of the Damdukban place the residence of Phaya 

 Ruang in Nophburi or Lophburi, the ancient capital of the aboriginal 

 occupants of the soil, before the emigration of the Thai. The demon- 

 worship, mentioned in the inscription, continues still in various forms 

 in all Buddhistic countries, and the processions to make presents to the 

 priesthood may still be seen repeated every year at Bangkok, in the 

 way here described. The presents are called Kathin, on account of 

 their variegated components, in remembrance of the checkered gar- 

 ments of the monks, which, according to the founder's institution, had 

 to be sown together in incongruous patchwork. The royal custom of 

 hanging up a bell, which might be rung by complainants seeking access, 

 occurs also in the history of Hongsavadi and is known all over the 

 orient. From the remark, that the stone placed over the relics had 

 the form of an alms-bowl (batr), one Avould have to conclude, that the 

 shape of the Dagoba is only indirectly connected with the lotus it is 

 supposed to represent. In Cambodia, one often sees pots with bones 

 and ashes of priests, placed under the Pho-tree, the peepul. The town 

 of Xalang is perhaps Jonk- Ceylon (the shipping of Ceylon), a place 

 formerly in intimate connection with the island of Ceylon, where 

 relics were cheap as mushrooms. The places mentioned to define the 

 boundaries of the kingdom, are all still in existence, and can be easily 

 traced by the directions given. The kidnapping of the mountaineers 

 to carry on the slave-trade is still continued at the present day by the 

 Laos. The northern trade, the inscription speaks of, may have been in 

 the hands of Chinese merchants, and the king promises them, (as pro- 

 tection for their valuable cargoes), a safe conduct through the territory 

 occupied by hostile and predatory tribes. The years are counted by 

 crops of rice, as it is often done by the present Siamese, who at other 

 times employ the enumeration of the yearly inundations in their 

 reckonings, The names given to the years are those of the Dodecade. 



