Siaviy $c] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



431 



SECTION XXVIL 

 SIAM, COCHIN CHINA, AND TONQUIN. 



Si AM. — At the bead of the Gulph of Siam is the great River Meinam, 

 which empties itself into the sea by several mouths, forming a number 

 of small low islands, which cannot be seen above three leagues off ; but it is 

 rather more elevated at the E. branch, by which it may be known. This is 

 the best navigable channel, although the bar, partly composed of hard 

 sand and partly of soft clay, has on it only 8 or 9 feet at low tide; 

 there are 17 or 18 feet on it at high water, spring tides. Just beyond the 

 bar there is an extensive mud flat, which does not injure a ship taking it. 

 The entrance of the river is in latitude about 13° 30' N., and longitude 

 101° 15' E., and the anchorage is to the S. of the bar, about 3 or 4 leagues 

 off. Ships intending to proceed up the river, ought to procure a pilot. A 

 short distance within the bar, on the E. hank, there is a town called Paknam, 

 where all vessels proceeding up the river, land their guns, ammunition, &c. 

 From hence the navigation is safe to Bankok, and it is said still higher, and 

 the soundings regular from (5 to 9 fathoms, mud. Ships may anchor close 

 to the shore in 4 or 5 fathoms. 



Bankok is about 10 leagues from the sea ; it is about 1 \ mile long, and 

 half that breadth. It is enclosed with walls on the E. and S. sides, which 

 are washed by the river. The country hereabouts is well inhabited. 



Juthia, or Judia, the capital city and residence of the King of Siam, 

 formerly stood on the place which is now called Bankok, from whence it was 

 afterwards removed to the place where it now stands, being a low island 

 about four miles in circumference. The country round is very flat, and cut 

 tli rough by many canals coming from the river, and by them divided into 

 so many squares or islands, that the people pass from one part to another 

 in boats. The city is surrounded with a brick wall, which on the N. 

 and S. sides is about 25 feet high. The defences are very weak, though 

 it is stated that the Siamese are strengthening their fortifications, and con- 

 structing a citadel at Paknam. To secure the city wall from being injured 



