-Ill- 
All the Americans in Bangkok were invited to the house-warming 
party of the Scholtzes, and we were taken along. We left about 
nine, and brought Minneg erode back to the Hotel to dinner with us. 
July 26 - 
We buzzed around town trying to find out some information 
about trains and boats, in order to get away from Bangkok, much as 
we like it. Bill was taken to call on the Minister of Foreign 
Affairs, and we both went down to the Traffic Manager of the 
Si am Railways, who unfortunately did not speak English. Having 
two interpreters rather bungled things up, and when Bill brought 
up the question of getting rates, one of them said vaguely I think 
we must charge you double." 
We had lunch at Minnegerode' s place, and dinner at the 
Legation - the -nly formal dinner we have been to since leaving 
Singapore last March. Had to brush hunks of mildew off our 
evening clothes. 
July 27 - 
In the afternoon we saw the Royal Palace, by special permit, 
which stipulated that men must wear neckties and coats, and ladies 
must wear stockings. TtexbTaiM±HgxtteKtyisxg:Et"SEiiyylaBi-K^xi±irK!* 
»pyt«« M a t»a fM * km x. klm xp rtl l g ** J ui lh «* B« a «*fc iA*t« % t kBB a U Mw^a^ 
KifchxikxxgHEgBOTarPByHi The Royal Palace itself, an impressive 
structure in Italian Renaissance style with a Siamese roof, is 
temporarily closed. We saw, however, the throne hall, which is 
a building by itself. The throne is of mother-of-pearl inlay, 
as are the steps leading to it. Over it is the white, nine- 
tiered umbrella. tax* Behind the throne is a golden shrine 
for the image of Buddha, but it was empty when we were there. 
The walls of the great room look as though they were covered with 
wall-paper, but on close inspection it develops that they are 
painted with small water color scenes on plaster, in a regular 
all-over pattern. On our way to the audience hall we passed 
a slightly raised platform, and were told that this was the 
elephant mounting block. The audience hall was tremendous, 
much mother-of-pearl inlay, fine painting on the walls, curtains 
heavy with gold leaf, and at the end, another shrine and another 
throne. 
Later in the afternoon we went to Bangkok Christian College 
for tea, and met many American missionaries, and many Siamese 
Christians. In the evening we went to the Culling s ' for 
dinner. 
July 28 - 
We learned that the S. S. Mslini, of the Siam Steam 
Navigation Line, would sail this afternoon at three, so we had a 
busy morning packing, and getting our specimens together. Five 
nice gibbons arrived this morning by train from Chieng Mai, and 
the Pasteur Institue is giving us two king cobras, and five each 
of Sismese cobras, kraits, and Russell's vipers. .All our 
belongings had to be taken out by launch to the steamer, which 
was tied up in the Menam. We found the ship a nice little one, 
1200 tons, with Danish officers, Chinese boys, and a Siamese 
