case; for they use indiscriminately every sort of
flesh, not rejecting from their diet such loathsome
objects as dogs, cats, rats, lizards, &c. provided
always that they have had no hand in the
death, and that there be a plea for placing the
sin at the door of another. The same is the
case in respect to wine and intoxicating drugs,
which are strictly prohibited by their religion,
and the inhibition enforced by the civil power.
A strong passion for the use of ardent spirits appeared
to us notwithstanding to be nowhere more
general, and no present which we could make
to the lower classes, was more acceptable than
a supply of ardent spirits, for which we were
secretly importuned whenever an occasion offered.
We saw, however, no excesses, and heard
of none, and I am convinced that the Siamese
are, upon the whole, a moderate and temperate
people, although, at the same time, impure and
indiscriminate in their diet, and uncleanly in their
persons.
The Siamese are favourably distinguished from
their neighbours, the Malays, and other inferior
tribes of the Eastern Islands, by the absence
of that implacable spirit of revenge which forms
so prominent a feature in the character of the
latter. A Siamese, when wronged, seeks redress
through his chief, and never attempts to retaliate
with his own hand. Acts of desperation similar
to the mucks committed by the Malays, are
never heard of amongst them, nor is the tran.
quillity of the country disturbed by private feuds
and animosities, as among more warlike and turbulent
barbarians. The same spirit of forbearance,
however, is by no means observed towards
the public enemy, and their wars are conducted
with odious ferocity. Prisoners of rank are
commonly decapitated, and those of the lower
orders condemned to perpetual slavery, and labour
in chains. The peasantry of an invaded
country armed or unarmed, men, women, and
children, are indiscriminately carried off into ca-
captivity, and the seizure of these unfortunate
persons appears to be the principal object of the
periodical incursions which are ipade into an
enemy’s territory.
The peaceable and obedient habits of the people
are sufficiently indicated by the security of
life and property which exists in Siam, and are,
at least, some compensation for the despotism
to which they certainly owe their origin. A
traveller accustomed to the insecurity and lawlessness
which prevail to so great an extent in
many other countries of Asia, reposes with some
confidence and satisfaction in the security which
he finds, at least at the capital of Siam and its
neighbourhood. We walked for miles unarmed
and unattended in the vicinity of Bangkok without
receiving insult or offence from any one,
and never for a moment suspected danger to