the Auxmu woods are "yellow!" It does rain in September! Again, we have poetic commonplaces -but it is sheer folly to call such things plagiarisms.

IV. It is almost inconceivable that any writer should be able to produce a work with all the superficial characteristics of originality and homogeneity by "taking an image, an idea, or a passage from an acknowledged writer, changing the order, or the passion, or the name, and then composing it into a new work," especially if the new work in question be a poem. I doubt if this could be done, with purpose. To do it, not of purpose, but by virtue of memory, imitativeness, and faculty combined, is quite possible; but some amount of positive faculty I should say there must be. Suppose, for instance, (though these remarks are quite general,) it were shown (I believe it cannot be shown) that the " City Poems" of Mr. Smith are made up of other men's good things; still, some real poetic faculty must be presumed in Mr. Smith. Music, fancy, and a little poetic constructiveness he must have, even upon that supposition.

It is an undeniable fact that works in which there is very great indebtedness to preceding works shown in the details have yet, as wholes, taken firm hold upon the admiration and love of mankind in general; and the fortunes of all works of true art, small as well as great, quite transcend criticism. Gray's "Elegy" and Wharton's "The Hamlet" will be repeated for many generations to come, although it were shown that neither poem contains a truly original line.

A GENTLEMAN'S LOVE-LETTER.

FROM a series of papers on "Conduct and Carriage," addressed to young ladies at the present day, and making lofty pretensions as to tone and quality, I extract a model love-letter from an English baronet to his adored one, because it has amused me very much, and is a curiosity in its way. I hold it to be interesting as an index-fact. This is the style of composition which educated girls are taught to regard as the style choisi on such occasions.

You are to suppose, first of all, the "SCENE-a sitting-room, neatly furnished, in a style of elegant simplicity, in Mrs. Burton's semi detached cottage, St. John's Wood. Time: evening." The interlocutors are Geraldine," and "Mrs. V.," her mamma. The antecedents of the letters to be laid before the reader are these. Geraldine and her mamma have met in a railway carriage a showy person who made himself "agreeable," and in conversation at home the showy person is recalled thus:

GER. I will be more careful in future, my own dear mamma. I fear you were not quite pleased with me yesterday, in the train, for entering into conversation with that young gentleman opposite to me.

MRS. V. I own I did not exactly like it, my love; young

ladies, even at the risk of being thought stiff and uninteresting, should be silent and reserved in a public conveyance. GER. But he was so very polite, mamma. He gave me up his place! a great boon, as I am affected by riding backwards. He picked up all the beads of my pink coral bracelet, which broke at such an inconvenient moment. He was so very attentive to you; gave himself such trouble to admit the air and exclude the sun. In short, mamma, when he spoke, after all his services I felt impelled to answer him. Do you think I did wrong?

MRS. V. Not wrong to answer him politely, my love; but not quite right to enter into conversation with him. He may be a gentleman. He was very well dressed-rather too modishly and showily for my taste; and I thought him rather too conscious of his very handsome person. I do not speak to censure him, but to warn you, my love! To me there was something rather underbred in the way in which be displayed his white hand and diamond ring; and his offhand manner of talking to that strange-looking friend of his in the Spanish cloak and slouch hat, of “ Derby," “ Malmesbury," "Panmure," "Dizzy," "Bully;" and worse still, of "Lady Clem.," "Lady Lou.," "Lady Cis.," and so on. I do not think he is the great man he wished you to think him.

GER. There certainly was a great mystery about his companion. It struck me he might be a nobleman in disguise.

MRS. V. In novels, my love, mystery often envelopes

grandeur; but in real life you will find the cloak more often conceals the rent than the star. Figuratively and actually, I believe that was the case with your shrouded, mysterious, opposite neighbour.

This skirmish does not inspire one with a lofty estimate of the sense of "Geraldine," who takes a shabby scamp for "a nobleman in disguise." The young lady seems to be scarcely the person to inspire a worthy, sensible man with a "great passion"-in a word, our Geraldine is a fool. Manima, however, knows a hawk from a heronshaw, and says farther on, speaking of the young man who conferred the "boon" upon Geraldine :

My own idea is that he wants to raise himself by marriage. He cannot get introduced to a real lady in a regular way; I do not think you have seen the last of him yet. I fear he will build upon your affability in entering into conversation with him in the train, and attempt to scrape acquaintance

with you if he should see you again.

GER. Oh, mamma, I hope not! I hate to le obliged to mortify or cut any one; but I see now why you did not like me to converse with him.

By-and-bye, there is a postman's knock at the door, and then, "Enter page, with three letters on a silver salver-one for Mrs. Vernon, two for Geraldine." Mamma seizes the occasion to discourse of the physiognomy of letters in general :—

MRS. V. Now, before we open our letters, let me make a few remarks, which will show you the importance of trifles. They do, indeed, make the sum of human things. I know none of these hands; yet I am certain this to me is from a gentleman. The hand is a bold, clear, regular, running sealed with red wax, and a crest, which leads me to guess a hand the paper thick and good: and the envelope neatly good deal. That thin, adhesive envelope, and weak, illegible hand, with the word prepaid over the stamp, convinces me your correspondent is a vulgarian. I know it is a rule of good breeding constantly violated; but no gentleman addressing a lady should dispense with the etiquette, once strictly enforced, of a seal.

Can we sufficiently admire the sagacity which infers a gentleman's letter from " thick, good

GER. (after reading it, hands it to her mother.) mamma, how right you were, and always are! ever hear of such coxcombry and impertinence! That is a lesson to me not to be too affable and accessible to strangers. MRS. V. Read it to me, my dear. I am not clever at deciphering a pale, illegible hand.

But I suppose

GER. I have hardly read it, mamma. must do so, as a punishment for my imprudence.

"Beautiful Miss Vernon,

I

If, as I venture to hope, there is a mutuality of impression and an electric shock of sympathy between us-and as I own I fancied as much in your bright eyes and winning smiles-you will not be offended at my taking up my pen to address you.

"I am certain you are a young lady of spirit, though the duenna who attended you on Thursday, a very worthy old lady, no doubt, and, I presume your mamma, prevented our becoming better acquainted then; I suppose you don't show her your letters and tell her all your secrets.

"I set my rascal,' or valet, to dodge you and to find out your abode; and, yesterday, I did myself the honour to call at the Hon. Mrs. Hamilton's and obtained from the butler your address. I wish for the honour of an interview to explain some matters and ask some queries, which will simplify future relations between us. But as I dread all duennas and old ladies, I will beg you to meet me at Madame Tussaud's, at three or half-past, to-morrow. I need not add my intentions are honourable, and I have an appointment in view. "I am, lovely Miss Vernon,

"That tyrant slave, a frantic lover,
"EDWIN MALTRAVERS.

"Direct to me, Capt. E. Maltravers Smith,
Crisps's Pastry cooks,
"Upper Baker Street.

"To be called for." "

With the observation that any "vulgarian " with the savoir faire and knowledge of life this vulgarian is, in the previous part of the conversation, represented to have possessed, would have known better than to address such a letter to a young lady, I pass on to the gentleman's epistle. This was addressed to mamma, and enclosed one for the lovely (and silly) Geraldine, in which I must say she was overpraised :

MRS. V. Now, my love, hear how a gentleman expresses himself on the same subject; this letter to me contains one to you. Hear mine.

"My fortune enables me to make such settlements as

"LIONEL LISBURN."

"My dear Miss Vernon,

at

"LIONEL LISBURN."

What is the consequence of these passionate "thick paper,' appeals from the gentleman who uses and seals with "a crest ?" A burst of tears:

GER. (weeping.) Oh, mamma, how can I repay the love of such a man?

Ah, how indeed? Yet dear mamma's answer is quick, to the point, and supported by a profoundly "How shall I repay philosophical observation.

the love of such a man?" says the excited Geraldine. Hear the respected and categorical parent : There is no man so MRS. V. By giving him your own. great, or wealthy, who deserves more, or can obtain more, than the love of an amiable, virtuous, and accomplished

MRS. V. Sir Lionel wishes to call at three to-morrow; the very moment at which that impudent vulgarian and audacious coxcomb dared to appoint to meet you, " before the central Royal group."

"Dear Madam,

GER. Oh, mamma, no more of him! After tea I will write to Sir Lionel, and to Captain Maltravers Smith (if that is not But before Aurt Burton comes down to tea, let me ask you a few questions for poor Bertha. Is it improper for a bride to dance the polka and to waltz? Happy Geraldine, in patience possessing your soul! and happy Sir Lionel Lisburn, whose declaration leaves" an amiable, virtuous, accomplished so much at her ease that she can drop from "first-love" to Aunt Burton coming down to tea!

606

telligent reader" of the drawing-room does not know good writing from bad. What must be the intellect and culture of ladies who can receive Sir Lionel Lisburn's milk-and-water English as a model in amatory correspondence? Ah, dear, bright eyed friend! trust me, that is nothing like the

letter which any educated man who loves you will write when he proposes! What will it be like? "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou approve the performance "-aud by no means fashion thine own correspondence after such a model.

THE progress made by the Siamese sovereigns in literature and science, the visit of one of the royal family to Europe in the present year, the position of their population and territories, between China on the east, our own dominions, and the Malay peninsula on the west, and the friendly disposition of the Siamese-while, in many particulars of habits, pursuits, and religion, resembling closely the Chinese, yet in their treatment of strangers differing from them so fully-warrant us in again referring to the condition of the people and of their territory. Siam, and the Siamese, afford many grounds for supposing that we may exercise a great influence over them with the most beneficial results, by commercial and moral agencies alone.

The Kingdom of Siam is situated on the eastern coast of Asia, immediately above the peninsula of Malacca. It is divided into forty-two separate provinces, each of which is governed by a person of high rank called a Phaja. Geographers are not agreed as to its positive dimensions, but its greatest length may be fairly estimated at twelve hundred miles, its breadth three hundred and fifty miles. The character of its scenery is mountainous, and one long chain extends down the western edge of the country to Malacca.

Siam pays tribute to China, its King receiving from the Chinese Emperor, a recognition of his Royal title and authority-this once established, he remains absolute and uncontrolled ruler over

his subjects. The country, as may be expected from its hilly character, is intersected by large and important rivers, which divide it on all sides. The principal of these is the Meiuam, which takes its rise in the mountains of Yunnan, in China, and after a course of 900 miles, falls into the Gulf of Siam. Its banks are dotted with flourishing towns, for like the Egyptian Nile, its waters are an extensive cultivator of the soil. In the mouth of

June they begin to rise; in August they have

overflowed the banks, and risen five or six feet above their ordinary level; in November they abate. During these months, the natives are obliged to traverse the land in boats, as the whole

of the inundated district then takes the semblance of a gigantic lake.

The rice crops, which form so important a part in the produce of the Siamese territory, are rendered abundant by these inundations; but they

sometimes, when they are excessive, do great and extreme damage, by destroying that very fertility which in moderation they so eminently assist. In these deluges, for such the inundations may be termed when they exceed their ordinary bounds, whole plantations of sugar are destroyed, fruit trees are swept away, and cattle perish for want of sustenance. This was the case in 1831, when the river rose to an unusual height.

There is a curious ceremony connected with the rising of the Meinam, which we cannot better describe than by adopting the words of an author of the present day. He says:

*

When the waters of the Meinam are supposed to have reached their highest point, the King deputes one hundred bonzes, who are instructed to command the inundation to proceed no further. These functionaries embark on state barges, issue the Royal mandate to the waters, bidding them turn back in their course; and they accompany their intervention with exorcisms, which are sometimes ineffectual, and show that the falling of the waters of the Meinam is no more subject to the commands of the Sovereign of Siam than were the tides on the British shores controlled by the Danish King.

The same writer also gives us an account of the extraordinary migratory exploits of some of the fishes of the Meinam.

In ascending and descending the Meinam, he continues, I was much amused with the novel sight of fishes leaving the sea, gliding over the wet banks, and losing themselves among the trees of the jungle. It is asserted that such fishes will wander more than a league from the water.

believe it, in deference to the authority. This fact seems almost incredible, but we must

This name of "Meinam" has been erroneously considered by some writers to be the individual appellation of this particular river; but that is an error; "Meinam" is merely a corruption of which means "river," and the Siamese generaliy another word in their language, "Menam," add to this the name of the nearest town or vil

lage, to mark the peculiar river they wish to denote. Thus we have have the Menam Bangkok, the Menam Tachin, and others.

Ayuthia was the ancient capital of Siam, Bangkok is the modern. The former was celebrated for its beautiful pagodas and palaces; it was founded in 1351, and destroyed in 1751 by the Burmese, when the residence of Royalty was removed to Bangkok. Ayuthia seems to be surrounded with an atmo

* Sir Jonn Bowring's "Siam."

sphere of poetry. It has sometimes been called the Oriental Venice, from its streets having been intersected by canals; its palace, the residence of the monarch, was of great extent and magnificence. The King of Siam enjoyed then, as he does now, the full prestige of Royalty-pomp and splendour accompany his public appearance-sycophancy and adulation wait upon his footsteps, subserviency of the grossest description attends him wherever he goes. His rule is despotic, even his privy councillors or mandarins, being chosen, retained in office, and dismissed at his sole will or pleasure. His voice on all occasions is supreme, his dictum unanswerable. By the ecclesiastical law, extreme abstinence is enjoined both to the King and all persons of high rank in Siam; all intoxicating drinks are forbidden; water, cocoa-nut milk, tea, and such liquids alone being permitted. This rule is adhered to strictly-the monarch himself setting the example to his nobles.

The revenues, derivable from various sources, which revert to the crown are enormous; and, as if these were not enough to provide for Royal wants and extravagances, the monarch himself turns trader, buys, sells, barters; and he has his agents in various parts of the kingdom, who dispose of his stores of rice, coffee, saltpetre, and other goods.

The ancient city of Ayuthia is now a mere mass of ruins, the spires of the once beautiful buildings appearing above the trees, which grow on the place. Bats keep their nightly vigils among the broken walls, and vultures flap their wings over the wreck of the deserted city.

The new city of Ayuthia surrounds the ancient site, and is principally erected on a canal of the Meinam. Floating houses are built purposely for this canal, and in these many of the people live, as they consider them more healthy than those tenements that are built on the shore. We are not quite sure whether or not we agree with this notion, but at any rate, these floating houses must be agreeable and convenient to persons of a locomotive temperament, as affording easy facilities for migration. The population of the modern Ayuthia is estimated at between twenty and thirty thousand. We have already noticed the extreme fertility of the soil of Siam; indigenous fruits and vegetables are abundant, and the bamboo, with its knotty stem, is seen everywhere. The city of Ayuthia has a governor, a deputy governor, and some subordinate officers of state; and the monarch (for it must be remembered that it is not at present the seat of Royalty) pays it a visit once a year. He has a palace, erected on the site of the ancient residence of his forefathers, and here he spends a week or two out of the fifty-two.

Paknam is the next place we notice. It is the chief port of Siam, and stands at the mouth of the Meinam. Its population is from six to seven thousand, and the Siamese appear to have a just idea of the importance of its commercial situation, as

we find that they have provided amply for its defence against warlike aggression, by placing a fortress on either side of the river, and one in the centre. Thus the entrance to the river, and through the river to the town, is completely defended.

Chantaburi is the second port of importance in Siam. It is situate on a small river, which flows into the Gulf of Siam. A large trade is carried on between this place and China, in pepper, cardamuns, gamboge, eagle wood, and other productions of the two countries. The neighbourhood of Chautaburi is in a high state of cultivation, and among other productions we notice coffee, which is grown here to a great extent. The garnet, sapphire, ruby, topaz, and other precious stones are found among the mountains in this district.

The climate of Siam is for the tropics considered salubrious, and the change from the hot to the cold season so gradual as not to be trying to the constitution. Fevers, diarrhoeas, and dysenteries are the most fatal diseases, and the jungle fever is dangerous to strangers. The national history of Siam appears to be a collection of fabulous tales and facts which it is impossible to separate from truth. The Siamese date their origin from the early disciples of Buddha, and fix their chronological data some five hundred years before the Christian era. The present population has been estimated at from five to six millions, but this seems an exaggeration; from four to five may be nearer the truth. This population is composed of Chinese; the Laos people; the Cambodians; numerous Malay tribes, and a variety of mountain tribes in a greater or lesser degree subject to the Government of Bangkok.

The Chinese form a very large proportion of the population of Siam. They have their shops, their dwellings, they intermarry with the Siamese women-yet, notwithstanding this, they preserve their nationality to a very great degree. With the Siamese, they are votaries of Buddha, but the religious observances are different among the two people.

Historiagraphers have not been merciful in their accounts of the Siamese character, which they describe as artful, iusincere, treacherous, and cunning! Not a brilliant list of human attributes certainly. But this account seems to be unjust. At any rate, their original character ought not to be thus described. The circumstances in which they are placed, the despotism of the Government, the adulation they are compelled by law and custom to lavish on their superiors, must mar their independence of character, and make them externally, if not at heart, the hypocrites they are accused of being. But the Siamese have their good points. They are mild in disposition, courteous in deportment to strangers, peaceful and contented among themselves. Siam, being peopled as it is by many countries, the inhabitants of course vary in their attributes and natural qualities, but their general characteristics are as we state. One excellent

feeling seems to be generally ascribed to the Siamese, namely, strong parental and filial affection, which appears to be an inherent attribute of their nature, exercising a manifest influence over their lives; observable in the highest as well as the lowest; felt and acknowledged from palace to hovel-whether in the assemblies of the nobles, the chamber of the King, or the hut of the peasant, young children are always present.

The care of children usually devolves upon the father-we mean the moral culture and care. He it is who decides on their path in life, and by his own efforts tries to fit them for that path. And well do the children repay such care, for they are dutiful and affectionate, a pleasure in youth, a solace in old age. We speak of them as a class, be it remembered; of course there are individual instances to the contrary.

Again, the Siamese are kind and merciful to those who are in their power-to the animal part of the creation, we mean. But this is the conse. quence of a dogma of their religion, which teaches the transmigration of the soul. Believing as they do that the spirits of human beings may enter for a time the bodily tenements of brutes, they look on their destruction as murder, cruelty to them as a sin.

Elephants are especially under the protection of Government; and the slaughter of even the wild animals of that species which inhabit the jungle is prohibited by law. But to the white elephant is reserved great, and even extreme, veneration, from the extraordinary supposition of its being the incarnation of the future Buddha, who will be the harbinger and dispenser of blessings to the country which protects it. These animals are sought for with the greatest anxiety, as they bring honours and advancement to the fortunate finder. From the forest where they are taken, a special road is made for them to their place of embarcation; there they are received with great demonstrations of joy; and being placed on a raft ornamented with garlands of flowers, they are conveyed to their destination, the capital of the kingdom. At that place they are met by the King and the various officers of State. These sacred beasts have a numerous retinue appointed to administer to their wants, are fed out of gold and silver vessels, on the choicest food they will eat. When sick, the Court physician attends them, and when one dies, the lamentation in the land is great indeed.

The white monkey is held in much esteem, but yields considerably in this respect to the elephant. The Siamese hold that the monkey is a brother man, and as such entitled to superior consideration. All white animals have a peculiar degree of veneration accorded to them in Siam, but the elephant alone is held sacred.

Now that we have touched upon the animal creation of Siam, we may as well say that wild animals abound in the country. Tigers, tiger-cats, bears, buffaloes, the rhinoceros, and several other animals of a savage and ferocious nature, inhabit

the jungles. The reptiles, too, of Siam are numerous, and serpents of all sizes are found there. The boa is reverenced by the Siamese, and looked on as a deity or sub deity. Serpent worship and serpent-charming are rife in the country. For the last exploit, the venom is said to be extracted before the experiment is ventured upon. The rivers are full of crocodiles, and they are also the objects of "charming." A dangerous operation, one would fancy, considering the strength and savage ferocity of the animal.

In connection with the crocodile, we notice the principal fishes. Fish of all kinds abound in the waters round Siam, and sea turtles, some of them weighing 150lb. each, are so abundant that vessels are loaded with merely the eggs, which are considered a delicacy, and reserved for the tables of the nobility, and those who are rich enough to imitate them. Some of our English fish, such as the salmon and the sole, are found at the mouths of the rivers, and prawns, crabs, and crawfish are plentiful. The insect world includes in its category, the centipede, one species of which is luminous; the scorpion, the cock roach; that most disgusting of all pests, the mosquitoes, the beautiful fireflies, and many others; but 'twere a shame to include the fire-flies with the list of nuisances. Then there are the glowworms, the diamonds of the earth, as the fire-flies are the gems of the air.

Flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow luxuriantly in Siam. The Siamese seem to be particularly fond of flowers; we find the king making his presents of flowers, and, among friends, garlands are no uncommon gift. We might run through a long list of names, mention several creations of the animal, insect, and piscatory kingdoms; but such a catalogue would be uninteresting to the reader. We therefore return to the people; their national character we have already described, their social position depends necessarily on that of the female part of the population.

The women of Siam, as may be expected, and as is invariably the case where polygamy is permitted, occupy but an indifferent place in the community. Their education is considered a matter of secondary importance; few of them are taught either to read or write; their province seems completely a domestic one, and they are energetic in the management of their households only-but they are excluded from any higher exercise of authority; even the moral culture and training of their children (the boys at least) is taken from them, and, through the father, committed to the Bonzes.

The education of a boy does not, generally speaking, involve any great amount of intellectual labour, nor is the expense attending it very large; as in some of the schools of Bangkok, the ordinary charge is eight dollars, or thirty-five shillings, per annum, an additional sum of fifteen dollars being paid for extra expenses, in the way of board, stationery, and clothes.

This "education" (as it pretends to be) commences with the shaving the "tuft," the treasured