284 ON THE GOVERNMENT OF SIAM. 



It is only the officers of the state who are obliged to take this oath. 

 All below the rank of the lowest officer are exempted from it — on the sup- 

 position perhaps that it would prove a weak barrier to the impulses of fear. 

 They apply to the lower classes the argumentum ad hominem in a manner 

 quite intelligible to them, and quite preservative of their fidelity. The 

 inferior Siamese officers are undoubtedly good servants in so far as zeal to 

 carry their master's orders into effect can make them be so considered. 

 But fear forms undoubtedly a large component part of this zeal — and as 

 their families are generally in the power of government they are thereby 

 restrained from negligence or treason. 



Province Wellesley; revised 

 ^st January, 1836. 



