Chapter XXXIII

Growth of foreign competition for trade—Need for new markets—India
and China as markets—Necessity for cheap communications—Action
taken by Mr Colquhoun and myself—probable effects of the
Indo-Siam-China railway—Indo-Burmese connection in course of
construction—Reasons for choosing Maulmain as terminus for
connection with China—Siamese section now under survey—Effects
of connecting Maulmain with Siamese railway—Cost of
connection—Prospective advantages—Caravan-routes from Maulmain
to Raheng—Estimate for branch to our frontier—Approximate
estimate for continuing the branch to Raheng—Comparison between
proposed British and Russian railways—British interests in
Siam—Mr Satow’s letter—Sir Arthur Phayre’s opinion on our duty
to protect Siam—Connection of Burmah and Siam by railway the
best form of support—Cannot allow Siam to be absorbed by
France—Effect of such absorption upon Burmah—Opinions of Sir
Charles Bernard—Cannot afford to hand over our markets to
France—Opinion of Sir Henry Yule—Paying prospects of the branch
to the frontier—Sir Richard Temple’s opinion—The most promising
of all future railway lines—Effect of proposed lines—Sir Charles
Bernard’s project—Comparison between Maulmain and Bhamo
routes—Takaw route—Kun Lôn ferry routes—The Maulmain route or
nothing—Importance of the question, 414

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Leave Raheng—Islands—Zimmé Shans in Raheng—Siamese
women—Misleading strangers—“Sow” and “rat” polite terms—Reach
Kamphang Pet—Saluted with stones—Found dead—Burmese—Visit the
governor—The flood—Population—A female interpreter—Leave
Kamphang Pet—Cultivation—Reach Pak Nam Po—Toungthoo
pedlars—Navigation on the Meh Nam—Loop-line to
Ootaradit—Gambling-house—A Frenchified monk—Sketching a bearded
Siamese—Size of the delta—Journey to Bangkok—A long street of
villages—Reach Bangkok, 435

CHAPTER XXXV.

Mr Scott—Visit to the legation—Adepts at intrigue—Mr Alabaster on
Siam—Everything taxed—The revenue—_Corvée_ labour—Impoverishing
the people—The old school dying out—The iron-road a magician’s
wand—King Stork—Putting a stop to cattle-theft—A piquant
story—Cattle-lifting by officials—A lingering lawsuit—Extorting
confessions—Torture at the police courts—The last day’s
agony—Unlawful imprisonment—Inside a prison—Immorality of
princes—Fit companions—Brothels in Bangkok—Selling
relations—Chanting prayers—Flogging women—The biggest liars and
thieves—Slavery in Bangkok, 445

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Mr Colquhoun’s arrival—Prince Devan—Character of the king—Visit to
Prince Devan—Memorandum on the railways—Grant required for
further exploration—Interview with the king—Terms required by
syndicates—Siam’s credit—The connection with Burmah—Excursion
into Eastern Siam—Nai Sin—An official of 2500 marks—Poo
Bah—Golden opportunities—Trumpery fortifications—After the
storm—The Bang Pa Kong river—Legend of the Kow Din—An infatuated
monk—Chinese in Siam—Estimate of population—Chinese immigrants
and their descendants—Marking the people—Unscrupulous Government
masters—Their little games—A vast plain—Little
cultivation—Lovely scenery—Tramway to the goldmines—Return to
Bangkok—Dr M‘Gilvary’s opinion upon the projected railways—One
of the grand works of the century, 454