id the same; but his majesty was deaf to
all counsel, and expressed his determination to rule absolutely,
and deal with his people as he pleased, in spite of the threatened
interposition of foreign powers.

BRITISH POLICY IN ASIA.

_Siam_.--The British government used all its influence to cultivate
friendly relations with all the Asiatic governments, in the hope that
a more extended and peaceful intercourse might spring up between these
nations and the British empire. The most decisive results of such
negotiations were seen at Siam and Persia. In the former country
peace and friendship were confirmed; in the latter, war closed a vexed
correspondence, which England conducted with the sincerest desire to
secure justice and amity. A treaty of friendship and commerce was signed
at Bangkok, May 13, 1856, between her Britannic majesty and the King of
Siam. A supplementary agreement was afterwards signed. Dr. Bowring was
the British plenipotentiary. His excellency's account of the embassy
and the accomplishment of its purpose has been published, and opens up
interesting and instructive views of the people of that region.

THE PERSIAN WAR.

The foundation of this quarrel was laid during the war with Russia.
That crafty and active government sought to create a diversion against
England by causing Persia to make the occasion available for advancing
upon Herat, and pushing her designs upon Affghanistan. The intrigues of
Russia developed themselves too slowly for her purpose, and 1856 arrived
before the war broke out. During the year the temper and spirit of the
Persian court became intensely irritable towards, the English ambassador
and his suite. A circumstance arose which brought this out painfully. On
the 15th of June, 1854, Mr. Thomson, the English minister, wrote to Lord
Clarendon, then minister for foreign affairs, informing him that he had
chosen one Meerza Hashem Khan as the Persian secretary to the British
mission. This person was courtly, learned, and in every way suitable to
the office assigned to him. Lord Clarendon confirmed the appointment.
The Persian court immediately persecuted the favourite of the English
mission. The Hon. C. A. Murray succeeded Mr. Thomson, and he also
favoured Meerza Hashem. The Persian court continued its persecution,
and finally seized and imprisoned the khan's wife. Mr. Murray demanded
satisfaction for this outrage upon the staff of the British mission, and
the release of the