268 



ON THE GOVERNMENT 



prasoot. Q-) The PJira who is exalted above " the heads of others — the 

 " Chau PJiraya illustrious in rank, like the PMaya, who founded the 

 " princedom of old, TJmmmasookha Raja (of Aivadeeraat) — the descendant 

 " of supernaturally endowed ancestors, mighty as the sun — casting its rays 

 " beneath it — whose subjects at the sound of the great drum become walls 

 " of defence against enemies ; the ruler, viz. the most illustrious Chau 

 " PJiraya See Tliaymnarat." 



The PJiraya has two councillors who are appointed by the Court of 

 Bankok — and there can be little doubt that it looked formerly and may 

 now look upon his province and the conquered Malayan states as the key 

 to territorial aggrandizement in a southern direction- — and that he has 

 every disposition to second its views. 



The Phrayas of these 3Iooung P. K. have the privilege, not granted to 

 inferior governors, of using the K,hldng prakom, or great drum of ceremony, 

 the noubut and nagari of Hindoostan. It is kept generally in the tjieem 

 prakom yam, or apartment where the water horologe is regulated — and it is 

 struck eight times in twenty-four hours — being the periods for the reliefs of 

 watches. 



The Chau Pkraya of Ligor was once a mahat lek, or attendant, whose 

 province it was to light the king's pipe. His father was Tak, the famous 

 Chinese usurper of the throne of Siam, and his mother was a Siamese. The 

 latter after PJiraya Tak was killed, was given in marriage by the new king 

 to the then governor of Ligor, who married her. The present PJiraya was 

 born soon after. 



Other officers of this rank are variously employed, and are in high 

 offices — 



Chau Phraya, Monthiyan ban. 

 C. V. Ra Montree. C) 



Q) P. Pra .... siri dhammdsoha rajajdtl .... Tejojaya . . . 

 imrapardkkramabdhu .... nagara siri dhammardja .... mdhdprasettha. 



suriyadesawdsl .... 

 (-) P. Rajamantinl. 



