ON SIAMESE LITERATURE. 343 



Prd-thom. — This has been stated generally by Dr. Leyden to be * a 

 ' mythological account of the origin of the universe, according to the 

 * principles of the Buddhist Sect.' 



I find on examination that it is nearly a transcript of a Bali work. 

 The contents may be briefly described. 



The world is consumed by the presence or contact of seven suns. 



Indra, (God of the firmament) with many inferior deities, are also con- 

 sumed along with their mansions. When one sun had gained the ascen- 

 dant a great deluge fell from Heaven. This deluge was tossed and con- 

 glomerated by the force of mighty and conflicting winds — after which this 

 earth emerged from the chaos — diffusing the most exquisite odours. These 

 were wafted from the Virgin Sphere to the heavenly regions, and allured 

 the Gods to descend to observe whence they proceeded. They tasted the 

 perfume-exhaling soil, and prepared to re-visit their exalted abodes. 



Many of the female deities however had become pregnant from the 

 effects of what they had eaten, and being then too heavy to wing their flight 

 back were compelled to remain on earth. Here they gave birth to beings 

 who subsequently spread the race over the habitable globe. 



In the latter part of this narration we have an allegorical allusion to the 

 evils which follow too eager a pursuit of sensual gratification — and there 

 is something in it which agrees with the scriptural accounts of the flood 

 and with the Hindu description of the fall of the once angel-like, or 

 devata-like, progenitors of the human race. In another chapter it has 

 been shewn that the Siamese are acquainted with Than Mango, the 

 Hindoo Menu or Noah. 



Nang Prathom. — Is a story of a wonderful lotus — which a Reosi (or 

 Rishi) saw in a tank — and which after some time increased to such a size 

 that he was induced to open it. To his great surprise he found a female 

 child in the cup which he accordingly brought up. 



The curiosity incident to the sex prompted her when grown to woman's 

 estate to court society. She wrote on a slip of paper an account of her solita- 

 ry mode of life with the hermit, and tying it to a nosegay cast it to the winds. 



