ns of almost
every race to be found between Bombay and Japan, while Europeans of
different nationalities number over 1000. The death-rate is high,
especially among children, owing to the prevalence of cholera, smallpox and
fevers during the dry weather. Sanitation, however, is improving and much
good has resulted from the boring of numerous artesian wells which yield
good water.

Before 1769 Bangkok was nothing but an agricultural village with a fort on
the river bank. In that year, however, it was seized by the warrior, Paya
Tak, as a convenient point from which to attack the Burmese army then in
occupation of Siam, and upon his becoming king it was chosen as the capital
of the country. (See SIAM.)

(W. A. G.)

BANGOR, a seaport and market-town of Co. Down, Ireland, in the north
parliamentary division, on the south side of Belfast Lough, 12m. E.N.E. of
Belfast, on a branch of the Belfast & County Down railway. Pop. of urban
district (1901) 5903. It carries on a considerable trade in cotton and
linen and embroidered muslin. It is greatly frequented as a watering-place,
especially by the people of Belfast, and there are golf links and important
regattas held by the Royal Ulster Yacht Club. Slight remains are to be seen
of an abbey of Canons Regular, founded in the middle of the 6th century by
St Comgall, and rebuilt, on a scale of magnificence which astonished the
Irish, by St Malachy O'Morgair in the first half of the 12th century.
Bangor was incorporated by James I. and returned two members to the Irish
parliament.

BANGOR, a city, port of entry, and the county-seat of Penobscot county,
Maine, U.S.A., at the confluence of the Kenduskeag stream with the
Penobscot river, and at the head of navigation on the Penobscot, about 60
m. from the ocean, and about 75 m. N.E. of Augusta. Pop. (1890) 19,103;
(1900) 21,850, of whom 3726 were foreign-born and 176 were negroes; (1910,
census) 24,803. A bridge (about 1300 ft. long) across the Penobscot
connects Bangor with Brewer (pop. in 1910, 5667). Bangor is served directly
by the Maine Central railway, several important branches radiating from the
city, and by the Eastern Steamship line; the Maine Central connects near
the city with the Bangor & Aroostook railway (whose general offices are
here) and with the Washington County railway. The business portion of the
city lies on both sides of the Kenduskeag and for about 3 m. along the W.
bank of the Penobscot, which is here quite