on.

cians distinguish two natural divisions of the country, called ag-Nuer, the region of the north, and Muang-Tai, the southern Previous to the fifteenth century, the former was the more ulous part of the country, but since the establishment of Bangas capital-with from 400,000 to 600,000 inhabitants-the south taken the lead in population. Siam is called by its inhabitants aï, or Muang Thaï, which means 'free,' or 'the kingdom of the The word Siam-quite unknown to the natives—is Malay, n sajam, 'the brown race.' There is comparatively little trade and industry in the country, inly owing to the state of serfdom in which the population is Throughout the whole of pt by the feudal owners of the land. am, the natives are kept to forced labour for a certain period of year, varying from three to four months, in consequence of which e land, rich in many parts, is so badly cultivated as barely to proce sufficient food for its thin population. Slavery, however, it stated, has been officially abolished. Nearly the whole of the ade is in the hands of foreigners, and in recent years many Chinese, Et subject like the natives to forced labour, have settled in the country. he foreign trade of Siam centres in Bangkok, the capital. The lue of the total exports from Bangkok in 1880 was about 000,000l., the staple article of export being rice. The minor sports embraced a great variety of articles, chief among them same pepper, sapan-wood, skins, spices, sugar, ivory, horns, and ak. The total imports into Bangkok, in the year 1880, were of The value of 1,200,000l., the imports comprising mainly textile oods, hardware, and opium.

At the end of 1881, the mercantile navy of Siam numbered 53 Failing vessels and 3 steamers, of an aggregate burthen of 20,930 In 1881 524 vessels of 223,131 tons cleared the port of Bangkok, of which 268 of 128,959 tons were British.

ras.

The direct commercial intercourse of Siam with the United Kinglom is inconsiderable, and of a very fluctuating character. In the five Tears 1878 to 1882 the value of the exports from Siam to Great Britain, and of imports of British produce into Siam, was as follows:

The staple and almost only article of export from Siam to Great

3 F 2

Britain in the year 1882 was hewn wood, valued at 13,6031. According to the Board of Trade Returns, no rice was exported from Siam to Great Britain in 1882; the quantity exported in 1881 was valued at 23,1147., and in 1880 at 338,1771. Among the imports of British produce into Siam, the chief articles in 1882 were furniture, of the value of 33,1697.; and machinery and millwork, of the value of 6,9167.

Money, Weights, and Measures.

The money, weights, and measures of Siam, and the British equivalents, are:

MONEY.

The Tical, or Bat = 12,800 cowries, average rate of exchange, 2s. 6d.

4s. 2d.

Spanish Dollar The legal money of Siam is the Tical, a silver coin, with the device of an elephant impressed, weighing 236 grains troy. Spanish dollars, largely in use, are accepted in payment at the rate of 3 dollars for 5 Ticals. In 1875, the Government ordered a large quantity of bronze coinage from England, which is reported to get into extensive use among the people, taking the place of previous small paper notes of the value of 200 cowries, or one-halfpenny.

The basis of all measures of weights in Siam is the Niu, equal to 8 grains of husked rice; while the measures of length are taken from the Kup, or Keub; 12 Niu = 1 Keub (10 inches); 2 Keub = 1 Sork; 4 Sork 1 Wa; 20 Wa= 1 Sen; 400 Sen = 1 Zote.

=

Diplomatic and Consular Representatives.

1. OF SIAM IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Ambassador.-Krom Mun Naresr, appointed 1883.
English Secretary.-Frederick W. Verney.

2. OF GREAT BRITAIN IN SIAM.

Agent and Consul-General.-Ernest Mason Satow, C.M.G., appointed January 25, 1884.

Statistical and other Books of Reference concerning Siam. 1. OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS.

Commercial Report from H.M.'s Consul-General in Siam for the year 1870. 8. London, 1871.

Reports of Mr. Thos. Geo. Knox, Consul-General, on the trade of Siam,

dated Bangkok, February 12, 1870; in Commercial Reports from H.M.'s Consuls in China and Siam.' 8. London, 1870.

.

Reports by Mr. W. H. Newman on the trade of the port of Bangkok, dated June 30, 1875; and by Mr. D. J. Edwardes on the state of Chiengmai and other Teak districts of Siam, dated June 17, 1875; in Commercial Reports by H.M.'s Consular Officers in Siam.' No. I. 1875. 8. London, 1875. Trade of Siam with Great Britain; in Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom with foreign countries and British possessions, for the year 1881.' 4. London, 1882.

2. NON-OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS.

Alabaster (Henry), The Modern Buddhist; being the Views of a Siamese Minister of State on his own and other Religions. 8. London, 1870.

Bastian (Adolf), Die Völker des östlichen Asiens. 3 vols. 8. Leipzig und Jena, 1866-67.

Bowring (John), The Kingdom and People of Siam. 2 vols. 8. London, 1857. Gréhan (A.) Le royaume de Siam. 8. Paris, 1868.

Mouhot (Henry), Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia and Laos, during the years 1858-1860. 2 vols. 8. London, 1864. Pallegoix (D. J.), Description du royaume Thai ou Siam. 2 vols. 8. Paris, 1854,

Reclus (Elisée), Nouvelle Géographie Universelle. 8. L'Inde et L'IndoChine. Paris, 1883.

Scherzer (Dr. K. von), Die wirthschaftlichen Zustände im Süden und Osten Asiens. 8. Stuttgart, 1871.