tatives of Christian countries, they live only for the
luxuries and laxities of the present life. Priestly robes are much
less frequently seen on the river and in the streets than formerly;
and many of the clergy no longer reside at the temples, but with their
families in their own houses; thus relinquishing even the pretence of
celibacy, which has hitherto been one of the very strongest points
of Booddhism, giving it an appearance of sanctity and a hold on
the affections of the people that nothing else can do. With this
rapidly-increasing renunciation of priestly celibacy and the
daily-diminishing ranks of the clergy, Booddhism, the mammoth religion
of the world, seems tottering to ruin, and even the present generation
may see its utter demolition, at least so far as Siam is concerned.
Services at the temples are now held in imitation of English morning
and evening prayers; a moral essay is read, at which the body-guards
of the kings and the government officers are generally required to
be present, and the remainder of the day they are excused from duty,
instead of being kept, as formerly, Sundays and week-days, in almost
perpetual attendance on His Majesty.

The supreme king is now in his twentieth year, and will take the
reins of government this year. He is tall and slight in person,
gentlemanlike in manners, perfectly well bred, and always courteous to
strangers, though even more modest and unassuming than was his father,
the priest-king, whose praises are still fresh in every heart. His
Majesty speaks English quite creditably, wears the English dress most
of the time, and keeps himself well informed as to matters and things
generally. His reign, thus far, promises well for himself and his
kingdom.

The second king, still called King _George Washington_, is now about
thirty, and a most noble specimen of the courtly Oriental gentleman.
His tall, compact figure is admirably developed both for strength and
beauty, his face is full and pleasing, and his head finely formed.
He is affable in manner, converses readily in English, and is fond
of Europeans and their customs. He keeps his father's palace and
steamboats in excellent condition, and his body-guard under thorough
drill. On a recent visit of the American steamer Moreton he came out
on the battlements of his palace, and after watching her progress for
some time, he signaled her to lay to, which she did just opposite his
palace. He immediately went aboard, and rem