or_o rather_o his_o antichamber_n do_v expect_v his_o order_n he_o have_v forty_o four_o young_a man_n the_o old_a of_o which_o hardly_o exceed_v twenty_o five_o year_n of_o age_n the_o siamese_n do_v call_v they_o mahatlek_n the_o european_n have_v call_v they_o page_n these_o forty_o four_o page_n therefore_o be_v divide_v into_o four_o band_n each_o consist_v of_o eleven_o the_o two_o first_o be_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o do_v prostrare_fw-la themselves_o in_o the_o hall_n at_o the_o king_n be_v right_a hand_n the_o two_o other_o be_v on_o the_o left_a hand_n and_o do_v prostrate_a themselves_o on_o the_o left_a hand_n this_o prince_n give_v they_o every_o one_o a_o name_n and_o a_o sabre_n and_o they_o carry_v his_o order_n to_o the_o page_n without_o which_o be_v numerous_a and_o which_o have_v no_o name_n that_o be_v impose_v on_o they_o by_o the_o king_n the_o siamese_n do_v call_v they_o caloang_v and_o it_o be_v these_o caloang_v that_o the_o king_n ordinary_o send_v into_o the_o province_n upon_o commission_n whether_o ordinary_a or_o extraordinary_a beside_o this_o the_o forty_o four_o page_n within_o have_v their_o function_n regulate_v some_o function_n their_o function_n for_o example_n do_v serve_v betel_fw-mi to_o the_o king_n other_o take_v care_n of_o his_o arm_n other_o do_v keep_v his_o book_n and_o when_o he_o please_v they_o read_v in_o his_o presence_n this_o prince_n be_v curious_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n read_v how_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n love_v read_v he_o cause_v q._n curtius_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o siamese_n whilst_o we_o be_v there_o and_o have_v since_o order_v several_a of_o our_o history_n to_o be_v translate_v he_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o europe_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o thereof_o because_o that_o once_o as_o he_o give_v i_o occasion_n to_o inform_v he_o that_o the_o empire_n of_o germany_n be_v elective_a he_o ask_v i_o whether_o beside_o the_o empire_n and_o poland_n there_o be_v any_o other_o elective_a state_n in_o europe_n and_o i_o hear_v he_o pronounce_v the_o word_n polonia_n of_o which_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v to_o he_o some_o have_v assure_v i_o that_o he_o have_v frequent_o assert_v that_o the_o art_n of_o ruling_n be_v not_o inspire_v and_o that_o with_o great_a experience_n and_o read_v he_o perceive_v that_o he_o be_v not_o yet_o perfect_a in_o understand_v it_o but_o he_o design_v principal_o to_o study_v it_o from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n he_o be_v desirous_a of_o all_o the_o news_n from_o france_n and_o so_o soon_o as_o his_o ambassador_n be_v arrive_v he_o retain_v the_o three_o with_o he_o until_o he_o have_v read_v their_o relation_n to_o he_o from_o one_o end_n to_o the_o other_o within_o the_o officer_n which_o command_v the_o page_n within_o to_o return_v to_o the_o forty-four_a page_n four_z officer_n command_v they_o who_o because_o they_o so_o near_o approach_v the_o prince_n be_v in_o great_a esteem_n but_o yet_o not_o in_o a_o equal_a degree_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o second_o from_o the_o second_o to_o the_o three_o and_o from_o the_o three_o to_o the_o four_o they_o bear_v only_o the_o title_n of_o oc-meving_a or_o of_o pra-meving_a meuing_fw-mi vai_fw-gr meuing_fw-mi sarapet_n meuing_fw-mi semeungtchai_n mevingsii_n the_o sabres_fw-es and_o poniard_n which_o the_o king_n give_v they_o be_v adorn_v with_o some_o precious_a stone_n all_o four_o be_v very_o considerable_a nai_n have_v a_o great_a many_o subaltern_a officer_n under_o they_o and_o though_o they_o have_v only_o the_o title_n of_o meuing_fw-mi they_o cease_v not_o to_o be_v officer_n in_o chief_a the_o pa-ya_a the_o ocya_a the_o oc-pra_a and_o the_o other_o title_n be_v not_o always_o subordinate_a to_o they_o only_o the_o one_o must_v command_v more_o person_n than_o the_o other_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v mevingsii_n which_o accompany_v meuing_fw-mi tchion_n on_o board_n our_o ship_n to_o bring_v to_o the_o king_n ambassador_n the_o first_o compliment_n from_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n and_o it_o be_v to_o he_o that_o meuing_fw-mi tchion_n though_o high_a in_o dignity_n give_v the_o precedency_n and_o the_o word_n because_o that_o mevingsii_n be_v three_o or_o four_o year_n old_a but_o the_o elder_a of_o both_o be_v not_o thirty_o siam_n of_o the_o single_a officer_n which_o prostrate_v not_o himself_o before_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n whilst_o the_o ambassador_n be_v at_o audience_n there_o be_v in_o one_o place_n a_o officer_n who_o we_o perceive_v not_o who_o alone_o as_o they_o inform_v i_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o not_o prostrate_v himself_o before_o the_o king_n his_o master_n and_o this_o render_v his_o office_n very_o honourable_a i_o forget_v to_o write_v down_o his_o title_n in_o my_o memoir_n he_o always_o have_v his_o eye_n fix_v upon_o this_o prince_n to_o receive_v his_o order_n which_o he_o understand_v by_o certain_a sign_n and_o which_o he_o signify_v by_o sign_n to_o the_o other_o officer_n which_o be_v without_o the_o hall_n thus_o when_o the_o audience_n be_v end_v i_o will_v say_v when_o the_o king_n have_v do_v speak_v to_o we_o this_o prince_n in_o that_o silence_n which_o be_v profound_a give_v some_o signal_n to_o which_o we_o give_v no_o heed_n and_o immediate_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o hall_n and_o in_o a_o high_a place_n which_o be_v not_o visible_a be_v hear_v a_o tinkle_a noise_n like_o that_o of_o a_o timbrel_n this_o noise_n be_v accompany_v with_o a_o blow_n which_o be_v ever_o and_o anon_o strike_v on_o a_o drum_n which_o be_v hang_v up_o under_o a_o penthouse_n without_o the_o hall_n and_o which_o for_o be_v very_o great_a render_v its_o sound_a grave_n and_o majesty_n it_o be_v cover_v with_o a_o elephant_n skin_n yet_o no_o person_n make_v any_o motion_n till_o that_o the_o king_n who_o chair_n a_o invisible_a hand_n do_v by_o little_a and_o little_o draw_v back_o remove_v himself_o from_o the_o window_n and_o close_v the_o shutter_n thereof_o and_o then_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o tinkle_a and_o of_o the_o great_a drum_n cease_v chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o woman_n of_o the_o palace_n and_o of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o wardrobe_n chamber_n the_o king_n of_o siam_n chamber_n as_o to_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n chamber_n the_o true_a officer_n thereof_o be_v woman_n it_o be_v they_o only_o that_o have_v a_o privilege_n of_o enter_v therein_o they_o make_v his_o bed_n and_o dress_v his_o meat_n they_o clothe_v he_o and_o wait_v on_o he_o at_o table_n but_o none_o but_o himself_o touch_v his_o head_n when_o he_o be_v attire_v nor_o put_v any_o thing_n over_o his_o head_n the_o pourveyor_n carry_v the_o provision_n to_o the_o eunuch_n and_o they_o give_v they_o to_o the_o woman_n and_o she_o which_o play_v the_o cook_n use_v salt_n and_o spice_n only_o by_o weight_n thereby_o never_o to_o put_v in_o more_o nor_o less_o a_o practice_n which_o in_o my_o opinion_n be_v only_o a_o rule_n of_o the_o physician_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o king_n be_v unhealthy_a disposition_n and_o not_o a_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o palace_n the_o woman_n do_v never_o stir_v out_o but_o with_o the_o king_n sister_n of_o the_o late_a queen_n his_o wife_n and_o his_o sister_n nor_o the_o eunuch_n without_o express_a order_n it_o be_v report_v that_o he_o have_v eight_o or_o ten_o eunuch_n only_o as_o well_o white_a as_o black_a the_o late_a queen_n who_o be_v both_o his_o wife_n and_o his_o sister_n be_v call_v nang_n achamahisii_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o know_v the_o king_n name_n they_o careful_o and_o superstitious_o conceal_v it_o for_o fear_v lest_o any_o enchantment_n shall_v be_v make_v on_o his_o name_n and_o other_o report_n that_o their_o king_n have_v no_o name_n till_o after_o their_o death_n and_o that_o it_o be_v their_o successor_n which_o name_v they_o and_o this_o will_v be_v more_o certain_a against_o the_o pretend_a sorcery_n of_o queen_n achamahisii_n be_v bear_v as_o i_o have_v relate_v in_o the_o other_o part_n the_o princess_n daughter_n of_o the_o princess_n his_o only_a daughter_n the_o king_n of_o siam_n only_a daughter_n who_o now_o have_v the_o rank_n and_o house_n of_o a_o queen_n the_o king_n be_v other_o wife_n which_o in_o general_n be_v call_v tchaou_fw-la vang_z because_o that_o the_o word_n tchaou_fw-la which_o signify_v lord_n signify_v likewise_o lady_n and_o mistress_n do_v render_v obedience_n to_o she_o and_o respect_v she_o as_o their_o sovereign_n they_o be_v subject_a to_o her_o justice_n as_o well_o as_o the_o woman_n and_o eunuch_n which_o serve_v they_o because_o that_o not_o be_v able_a to_o stir_v out_o to_o go_v plead_v elsewhere_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o queen_n shall_v judge_v they_o and_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v chastise_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o peace_n
of_o have_v child_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n they_o at_o what_o age_n they_o marry_v they_o and_o sometime_o soon_o and_o the_o great_a part_n have_v none_o past_o forty_o the_o custom_n be_v therefore_o to_o marry_v they_o very_o young_a and_o the_o boy_n in_o proportion_n yet_o there_o be_v find_v some_o siamese_n who_o disdain_n marriage_n all_o their_o life_n but_o there_o be_v not_o any_o that_o can_v turn_v talapoinesse_n that_o be_v to_o say_v consecrate_v herself_o to_o a_o religious_a life_n who_o be_v not_o advance_v in_o year_n when_o a_o marriage_n be_v design_v conclude_v how_o a_o siamese_n seek_v a_o maid_n in_o marriage_n and_o how_o their_o marriage_n be_v conclude_v the_o parent_n of_o the_o young_a man_n demand_v the_o maid_n of_o her_o parent_n by_o woman_n advance_v in_o year_n and_o of_o good_a reputation_n if_o the_o parent_n of_o the_o maid_n have_v any_o inclination_n thereunto_o they_o return_v a_o favourable_a answer_n nevertheless_o they_o reserve_v unto_o themselves_o the_o liberty_n of_o consult_v first_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o daughter_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o take_v the_o hour_n of_o the_o young_a man_n nativity_n and_o give_v that_o of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o maid_n and_o both_o side_n go_v to_o the_o soothsayer_n to_o know_v principal_o whether_o the_o party_n propose_v be_v rich_a and_o whether_o the_o marriage_n will_v continue_v till_o death_n without_o a_o divorce_n as_o every_o one_o careful_o conceal_v his_o riches_n to_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o covetuousness_n of_o the_o prince_n it_o be_v necessaty_n that_o they_o go_v to_o the_o soothsayer_n to_o know_v whether_o a_o family_n be_v rich_a and_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o soothsayer_n that_o they_o take_v their_o resolution_n if_o the_o marriage_n must_v be_v conclude_v the_o young_a man_n go_v to_o visit_v the_o lady_n three_o time_n and_o carry_v she_o some_o present_n of_o betel_n and_o fruit_n and_o nothing_o more_o precious_a at_o the_o three_o visit_v the_o relation_n on_o both_o side_n appear_v there_o likewise_o and_o they_o count_v the_o portion_n of_o the_o bride_n and_o what_o be_v give_v to_o the_o bridegroom_n to_o who_o the_o whole_a be_v deliver_v upon_o the_o spot_n and_o in_o presence_n of_o the_o relation_n but_o without_o any_o writing_n the_o new_a marry_a couple_n do_v also_o common_o receive_v on_o this_o occasion_n some_o present_n from_o their_o uncle_n and_o from_o that_o time_n and_o without_o any_o religious_a ceremony_n the_o bridegroom_n have_v a_o right_a to_o consummate_v the_o marriage_n the_o talapoin_n be_v prohibit_v to_o be_v present_a thereat_o only_o some_o day_n after_o they_o go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o new_a marry_a folk_n to_o sprinkle_v some_o holy-water_n and_o to_o repeat_v some_o prayer_n in_o the_o baly-tongue_n the_o wedding_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n be_v attend_v with_o feast_n and_o show_n feast_n the_o nuptial_a feast_n they_o do_v hire_n and_o invite_v profess_a dancer_n thereunto_o but_o neither_o the_o bridegroom_n nor_o the_o bride_n nor_o any_o of_o the_o guest_n do_v dance_v the_o feast_n be_v make_v at_o the_o house_n of_o the_o bride_n relation_n where_o the_o bridegroom_n take_v care_n to_o build_v a_o hall_n on_o purpose_n which_o stand_v alone_o and_o from_o thence_o the_o new_a marry_a person_n be_v conduct_v into_o another_o single_a building_n build_v also_o on_o purpose_n at_o the_o expense_n and_o care_n of_o the_o bridegroom_n in_o the_o enclosure_n of_o bambou_n which_o make_v the_o enclosure_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o bride_n relation_n the_o new_a marry_a person_n continue_v there_o some_o month_n and_o then_o go_v to_o settle_v where_o it_o please_v they_o best_o to_o build_v a_o house_n for_o themselves_o a_o singular_a ornament_n for_o the_o daughter_n of_o the_o mandarin_n which_o be_v marry_v be_v to_o put_v on_o their_o head_n that_o circle_n of_o gold_n which_o the_o mandarin_n put_v on_o their_o bonnet_n of_o ceremony_n next_o to_o this_o the_o deck_v consist_v in_o have_v fine_a pagnes_n than_o ordinary_a more_o excellent_a pendant_n and_o more_o curious_a ring_n on_o their_o finger_n and_o in_o great_a quantity_n some_o there_o be_v who_o report_n that_o the_o pretend_a father-in-law_n before_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o marriage_n of_o his_o daughter_n with_o his_o son-in-law_n keep_v he_o six_o month_n in_o his_o house_n to_o know_v he_o better_o some_o absolute_o deny_v that_o this_o be_v true_a and_o all_o that_o in_o my_o opinion_n may_v have_v give_v occasion_n to_o the_o report_n be_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o bridegroom_n to_o build_v the_o wedding_n room_n and_o house_n which_o he_o be_v to_o have_v at_o his_o father-in-law's_a during_o which_o that_o be_v to_o say_v for_o two_o or_o three_o day_n at_o most_o his_o future_a spouse_n bring_v he_o food_n without_o dread_v the_o consequence_n thereof_o because_o the_o marriage_n be_v already_o conclude_v although_o the_o feast_n be_v defer_v siam_n the_o riches_n of_o the_o marriage_n at_o siam_n the_o great_a portion_n at_o siam_n be_v a_o hundred_o catis_n which_o do_v make_v 15000_o livre_n and_o because_o it_o be_v common_a that_o the_o bridegroom_n estate_n equal_v the_o portion_n of_o the_o bride_n it_o follow_v that_o at_o siam_n the_o great_a fortune_n of_o two_o new_a marry_a person_n exceed_v not_o 10000_o crown_n wife_n of_o plurality_n of_o wife_n the_o siamese_n may_v have_v several_a wife_n though_o they_o think_v it_o will_v be_v best_a to_o have_v but_o one_o and_o it_o be_v only_o the_o rich_a that_o affect_v to_o have_v more_o and_o that_o more_o out_o of_o pomp_n and_o grandeur_n than_o out_o of_o debauchery_n they_o a_o considerable_a distinction_n between_o they_o when_o they_o have_v several_a wife_n there_o be_v always_o one_o that_o be_v the_o chief_a they_o call_v she_o the_o great_a wife_n the_o other_o which_o they_o call_v the_o lesser_a wife_n be_v indeed_o legitimate_a i_o mean_v permit_v by_o the_o law_n but_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o principal_a they_o be_v only_o purchase_v wife_n and_o consequent_o slave_n so_o that_o the_o child_n of_o the_o little_a wife_n do_v call_v their_o father_n po_n tchaou_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v father_n lord_n whereas_o the_o child_n of_o the_o principal_a wife_n do_v call_v he_o simple_o po_n or_o father_n article_n the_o degree_n of_o alliance_n prohibit_v and_o how_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n dispense_v with_o this_o article_n marriage_n in_o the_o first_o degree_n of_o kindred_n be_v prohibit_v they_o yet_o they_o may_v marry_v their_o cousin-german_a and_o as_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o alliance_n a_o man_n may_v marry_v two_o sister_n one_o after_o the_o other_o and_o not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n nevertheless_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n do_v dispense_v with_o these_o rule_n and_o do_v think_v it_o hardly_o possible_a to_o find_v a_o wife_n worthy_a of_o they_o but_o in_o person_n that_o be_v near_o relate_v to_o they_o the_o present_a king_n marry_v his_o sister_n and_o by_o this_o marriage_n be_v bear_v the_o princess_n his_o only_a daughter_n who_o it_o be_v say_v he_o have_v marry_v i_o can_v not_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n but_o this_o be_v the_o common_a report_n and_o i_o think_v it_o probable_a in_o that_o her_o house_n be_v erect_v as_o unto_o a_o queen_n and_o the_o european_n who_o have_v call_v she_o the_o princess-queen_n have_v make_v the_o same_o judgement_n thereof_o with_o i_o the_o relation_n inform_v we_o that_o in_o other_o place_n as_o well_o as_o at_o siam_n there_o be_v some_o example_n of_o these_o marriage_n of_o the_o brother_n with_o the_o sister_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v be_v ancient_o frequent_a among_o a_o great_a many_o pagan_a nation_n at_o least_o in_o the_o royal_a family_n either_o to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o daughter_n may_v succeed_v to_o the_o crown_n with_o the_o son_n or_o out_o of_o the_o fear_n i_o have_v mention_v that_o these_o king_n have_v have_v of_o misplace_v their_o alliance_n sister_n thus_o jupiter_n have_v marry_v his_o sister_n if_o they_o marry_v not_o their_o own_o sister_n for_o as_o to_o what_o other_o add_v that_o it_o be_v to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o people_n may_v not_o doubt_v of_o have_v a_o sovereign_n of_o the_o royal_a blood_n at_o least_o by_o his_o mother_n i_o find_v no_o probability_n therein_o as_o to_o the_o east_n where_o the_o people_n be_v so_o little_o wed_v to_o the_o blood_n of_o their_o king_n and_o where_o the_o king_n do_v think_v to_o assure_v themselves_o of_o the_o fidelity_n of_o their_o wife_n by_o keep_v they_o very_o close_o child_n the_o law_n of_o succession_n for_o widow_n and_o child_n the_o succession_n in_o particular_a family_n be_v all_o for_o the_o
this_o be_v thus_o practise_v in_o all_o the_o court_n of_o asia_n but_o it_o be_v not_o true_a neither_o at_o siam_n nor_o perhaps_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o east_n that_o the_o queen_n have_v any_o province_n to_o govern_v it_o be_v easy_a also_o to_o comprehend_v that_o if_o the_o king_n love_v any_o of_o his_o lady_n more_o than_o the_o rest_n he_o cause_v she_o to_o remove_v from_o the_o jealousy_n and_o harsh_a usage_n of_o the_o queen_n at_o siam_n they_o continual_o take_v lady_n for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o vang_z please_v the_o king_n of_o siam_n take_v the_o daughter_n of_o his_o subject_n for_o his_o palace_n when_o he_o please_v or_o to_o be_v concubine_n to_o the_o king_n if_o this_o prince_n make_v use_v thereof_o but_o the_o siamese_n deliver_v up_o their_o daughter_n only_o by_o force_n because_o it_o be_v never_o to_o see_v they_o again_o and_o they_o redeem_v they_o so_o long_o as_o they_o can_v for_o money_n so_o that_o this_o become_v a_o kind_n of_o extortion_n for_o they_o design_o take_v a_o great_a many_o virgin_n mere_o to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o parent_n who_o redeem_v they_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n have_v few_o mistress_n that_o be_v to_o say_v eight_o or_o ten_o in_o all_o ministress_n he_o have_v few_o ministress_n not_o out_o of_o continency_n but_o parsimony_n i_o have_v already_o declare_v that_o to_o have_v a_o great_a many_o wife_n be_v in_o this_o country_n rather_o magnificence_n than_o debauchery_n wherefore_o they_o be_v very_o much_o surprise_v to_o hear_v that_o so_o great_a a_o king_n as_o we_o have_v no_o more_o than_o one_o wife_n that_o he_o have_v no_o elephant_n and_o that_o his_o land_n bear_v no_o rice_n as_o we_o may_v be_v when_o it_o be_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n have_v no_o horse_n nor_o stand_a force_n and_o that_o his_o country_n bear_v no_o corn_n nor_o grape_n although_o all_o the_o relation_n do_v so_o high_o extol_v the_o riches_n and_o power_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o siam_n the_o queen_n have_v her_o elephant_n and_o her_o balon_n house_n the_o queen_n house_n and_o some_o officer_n to_o take_v care_n of_o she_o and_o accompany_v she_o when_o she_o go_v abroad_o but_o none_o but_o her_o woman_n and_o eunuch_n do_v see_v she_o she_o be_v conceal_v from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n and_o when_o she_o go_v out_o either_o on_o a_o elephant_n or_o in_o a_o balloon_n it_o be_v in_o a_o chair_n make_v up_o with_o curtain_n which_o permit_v she_o to_o see_v what_o she_o please_v and_o do_v prevent_v she_o be_v see_v and_o respect_v command_n that_o if_o they_o can_v avoid_v she_o they_o shall_v turn_v their_o back_n to_o she_o by_o prostrate_v themselves_o when_o she_o pass_v along_o beside_o this_o she_o have_v her_o magazine_n her_o ship_n and_o her_o treasure_n ship_n her_o magazine_n and_o her_o ship_n she_o exercise_v commerce_n and_o when_o we_o arrive_v in_o this_o country_n the_o princess_n who_o i_o have_v report_v to_o be_v treat_v like_o a_o queen_n be_v exceed_o embroil_v with_o the_o king_n her_o father_n because_o that_o he_o reserve_v to_o himself_o alone_o almost_o all_o the_o foreign_a trade_n and_o that_o thereby_o she_o find_v herself_o deprive_v thereof_o contrary_a to_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o kingdom_n daughter_n succeed_v not_o to_o the_o crown_n they_o be_v hardly_o look_v upon_o as_o free_v uncertain_a of_o the_o succession_n to_o the_o crown_n and_o the_o cause_n which_o render_v it_o uncertain_a it_o be_v the_o elder_a son_n of_o the_o queen_n that_o ought_v always_o to_o succeed_v by_o the_o law_n nevertheless_o because_o that_o the_o siamese_n can_v hardly_o conceive_v that_o among_o prince_n of_o near_a the_o same_o rank_n the_o most_o aged_a shall_v prostrate_v himself_o before_o the_o young_a it_o frequent_o happen_v that_o among_o brethren_n though_o they_o be_v not_o all_o son_n of_o the_o queen_n and_o that_o among_o uncle_n and_o nephew_n the_o most_o advance_a in_o age_n be_v prefer_v or_o rather_o it_o be_v force_v which_o always_o decide_v it_o the_o king_n themselves_o contribute_v to_o render_v the_o royal_a succession_n uncertain_a because_o that_o instead_o of_o choose_v for_o their_o successor_n the_o elder_a son_n of_o the_o queen_n they_o most_o frequent_o follow_v the_o inclination_n which_o they_o have_v for_o the_o son_n of_o some_o one_o of_o their_o concubine_n with_o who_o they_o be_v enamour_a bantam_n the_o occasion_n which_o tender_v the_o hollander_n master_n of_o bantam_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o king_n of_o bantam_n for_o example_n have_v lose_v his_o crown_n and_o his_o liberty_n he_o endeavour_v to_o get_v one_o of_o his_o son_n who_o he_o have_v by_o one_o of_o his_o concubine_n to_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o his_o successor_n before_o his_o death_n and_o the_o elder_a son_n which_o he_o have_v by_o the_o queen_n put_v himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o hollander_n they_o set_v he_o upon_o the_o throne_n after_o have_v vanquish_v his_o father_n who_o they_o still_o keep_v in_o prison_n if_o he_o be_v not_o dead_a but_o for_o the_o reward_n of_o this_o service_n they_o remain_v master_n of_o the_o port_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a commerce_n of_o bantam_n china_n of_o the_o succession_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o china_n the_o succession_n be_v not_o better_o regulate_v at_o china_n though_o there_o be_v a_o express_a and_o very_a ancient_a law_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o elder_a son_n of_o the_o queen_n but_o what_o rule_n can_v there_o be_v in_o a_o thing_n how_o important_a soever_o it_o be_v when_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o king_n do_v always_o seek_v to_o imbroil_v it_o all_o the_o oriental_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o governor_n adhere_v most_o to_o the_o royal_a family_n and_o not_o to_o a_o certain_a prince_n of_o the_o royal_a family_n uncertain_a in_o the_o sole_a thing_n wherein_o all_o the_o european_n be_v not_o in_o all_o the_o rest_n we_o vary_v every_o day_n and_o they_o never_o do_v always_o the_o same_o manner_n among_o they_o always_o the_o same_o law_n the_o same_o religion_n the_o same_o worship_n as_o may_v be_v judge_v by_o compare_v what_o the_o ancient_n have_v write_v concern_v the_o indian_n with_o what_o we_o do_v now_o see_v wardrobe_n of_o the_o king_n of_o siams_n wardrobe_n i_o have_v say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o woman_n of_o the_o palace_n which_o dress_v the_o king_n of_o siam_n but_o they_o have_v no_o charge_n of_o his_o wardrobe_n he_o have_v officer_n on_o purpose_n the_o most_o considerable_a of_o all_o be_v he_o that_o touch_v his_o bonnet_n although_o he_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o put_v it_o upon_o the_o head_n of_o the_o king_n his_o master_n it_o be_v a_o prince_n of_o the_o royal_a blood_n of_o camboya_n by_o reason_n that_o the_o king_n of_o siam_n boast_v in_o be_v thence_o descend_v not_o be_v able_a to_o vaunt_v in_o be_v of_o the_o race_n of_o the_o king_n his_o predecessor_n the_o title_n of_o this_o master_n of_o the_o wardrobe_n be_v ocya_a out_o haya_n tan_v which_o sufficient_o evince_v that_o the_o title_n of_o pa-ya_a do_v not_o signify_v prince_n see_v that_o this_o prince_n wear_v it_o not_o under_o he_o oc-pra_a rayja_n vounsa_n have_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o clothes_n rayja_n or_o raja_n or_o ragi_n or_o ratcha_n be_v only_o a_o indian_a term_n various_o pronounce_v which_o signify_v king_n or_o royal_a and_o which_o enter_v into_o the_o composition_n of_o several_a name_n among_o the_o indian_n chap._n fourteen_o of_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o court_n of_o siam_n and_o of_o the_o policy_n of_o its_o king_n council_n the_o hour_n of_o council_n the_o common_a usage_n of_o the_o court_n of_o siam_n be_v to_o hold_v a_o council_n twice_o a_o day_n about_o ten_o a_o clock_n in_o the_o morning_n and_o about_o ten_o in_o the_o evening_n reckon_v the_o hour_n after_o our_o fashion_n siamese_n the_o division_n of_o the_o day_n and_o night_n according_a to_o the_o siamese_n as_o for_o they_o they_o divide_v the_o day_n into_o twelve_o hour_n from_o the_o morning_n to_o the_o night_n the_o hour_n they_o call_v among_o they_o reckon_v they_o like_o we_o and_o give_v they_o not_o a_o particular_a name_n to_o each_o as_o the_o chineses_n do_v as_o for_o the_o night_n they_o divide_v it_o into_o four_o watch_n which_o they_o call_v tgiam_fw-la and_o it_o be_v always_o broad_a day_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o the_o latin_n greek_n jew_n and_o other_o people_n have_v divide_v the_o day_n and_o night_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n clock_n their_o clock_n the_o people_n of_o siam_n have_v no_o clock_n but_o as_o the_o day_n be_v almost_o equal_a there_o all_o the_o year_n it_o be_v easy_a for_o they_o to_o know_v what_o hour_n it_o be_v by_o