attempts of a white ant to overthrow mount Meru, or to a tender deer struggling with the magestic lion. He also promises not to follow his father's example, but to take refuge under the cool shade of their glorious majesties' magnificence, which is diffused through all the system of the world, and professes a wish to be a loyal tributary to the end of the world.

Náret received the message with great compassion (such is the Siamese mode of expression), sent word back that he cherished no sentiments of animosity against the new king, only exhorted him to govern according to ancient usage.

950. In the 5th month (April), Náret issued directions to make preparations for an expedition against Martaban in the 12th month (November). During the same fifth month, intelligence was received in Siam that the governor of Prome, who had failed in an expedition against the Siamese, was disgraced, the soldiery in his service subjected to the kangue, and that the Peguans generally were disaffected had formed themselves into parties, and fled to the jungle. A general rebellion, it was supposed, would soon follow. Phya Chakrí was therefore immediately dispatched to Maulmein with 15,000 men, 100 elephants and 200 horses, with orders to prepare boats, build granaries, and cultivate rice, for the advance of the royal army. Five thousand men were also raised in Tavoy, as a reinforcement to Phya Chakrí. The Peguans of Maulniein were subsidized in part, while part were sent to be employed in Siam. The governors of Martaban, Bassein, Boapuan, Khalik, Lakherng, and Toungu, were greatly alarmed when they were apprised of the movement of the Siamese, and the four former sent presents and letters delivering themselves up as tributaries to Siam while the world should stand. The governor of Toungu and Lakherng also promised to assist his majesty in any enterprise against Pegu. Náret was delighted with those overtures, and sent the messengers back laden with presents.

At this juncture, there was at Toungu a great priest named Siempriem, who, having heard of the above circumstances, made a visit to the governor, and asked him if he designed to deliver the Peguans up as posts to tie the Siamese elephants to? The governor stated the reasons of his conduct, that Náret and his brother were irresistible, that the king of Pegu had lost all ability to meet them, that most of the Peguan cities had already gone over to the Siamese, &c. The priest acknowledged that Náret was brave and energetic, and that he had been successful against the Peguans when they had passed In Budhist cosmogony, this great central mountain of earth is 81,000 yozanás (or 798,000 miles) high.

*

over into Siam, but denied that he could cope with them on their own ground. He then said to the governor, 'I had supposed you were possessed of energy and enterprise like that of Budha when he existed as a hare, who would yet undertake to dip the ocean dry, but now you appear like a woman frightened by ghosts.' The priest then rose to take his leave, but the governor urged him to stay longer; so he sat down again. The governor professed that his abilities were small, but that his intentions were good, that he was like a man in a dark cave, but if the priest would lend his light, he would follow it, and might yet be safe. The priest replied, that this was not a priest's business, but as he regretted the consequences to religion, and pitied the fate of the people, he would therefore use his influence in their behalf. The governor said, that, though the Peguan forces were large, it was the same as though they were small, since so many had already gone over to the Siamese, and to devise means to draw them back, was a very difficult matter. The priest laughed and said that to make a dish of palatable curry was more difficult still. He accordingly suggested the sending of messages to the governors of those provinces which had tendered their submission to Siam, making an appeal to their fear and shame; they would thus be persuaded to join the governor of Toungu in defense of their country. As proof of their honesty, they were urged to join the governor of Martaban, seize the Siamese at Maulmein, and send them up to Toungu as trophies. The governor himself also employed his utmost efforts to prepare for a compaign by training his elephants, horses, and men. The result of these measures was, that the governor of Maulmein was induced to flee to Martaban, and the Siamese dared not pursue him.

In the mean time, Náret was greatly displeased at the slow movements of his army under Phyá Chakri at Maulmein, as he supposed that Toungu and several other important provinces were already at his disposal. He therefore dispatched a message to Phyá Chakrí telling him that he carried on war like a baby, that he ought to be put to death, but he should regret blunting a sword in doing it, and bidding him make haste and take Martaban. He was greatly alarmed and began to inake vigorous preparations for aggressive movements. So in the third month (February),* Náret himself commenced his march to take Pegu. His forces are stated at 100,000 men, 800 harnessed elephants, and 1500 horses. In five days he marched to Kánchonaburi; from thence in seven days he reached the Three

The Siamese very oldly reckon the commencement of their years from the 5th month. Hence what they called the 1st is really 9th. &c

Pagodas. [These statements will serve to give us some, though to be sure, very indefinite ideas of the location and distance of these places from Ayuthiya, the old capital of Siam. They must have lain nearly on the direct route to Maulmein, but the precise distance can never be ascertained till more intelligent travelers have the freedom of traveling in this country. It is only from hints like these, scattered through the national records, that we can gather any geographical information that may be depended on at present.]

On Náret's arrival at the Three Pagodas, the Peguan spies conveyed immediate intelligence to the governor of Martaban, who lost no time in transmitting it to Pegu and Toungu. The king of Pegu was sick and all he could do was to give direction to the officers of his court to put the country in a posture of defense and send immediately to his nephew the governor of Toungu, to come to his aid.

When he received the message, he sent directly for Siempriem the priest, told him the whole state of affairs, and begged his counsel. The priest laughed and asked him, 'Is your highness very much afraid of Náret? His coming with his brother on this occasion is only like the visit of some good genius to give eclat to your highness' fame, and spread your glories the more rapidly.'

He then gave his suggestions relative to the course to be pursued. In pursuance of these suggestions, the governor of Toungu collected his forces and marched to Pegu, where, having gained his object of disarming all suspicion of his plans, he seized his sovereign, destroyed the city and marched home-taking the king with him and all his valuable effects. On his return he caused all the grain to be burnt and provisions to be destroyed. Náret pursued his way to Maulmein, crossed the Salwen, attacked and took Martaban, and put to death all he met. The governor of Martaban fled, was pursued, was overtaken, brought back and flogged almost to death, but his life was spared that he might be conveyed to Siam and exposed as a public spectacle. After a few days' stay at Martaban, Náret pursued his way towards Pegu before he knew that it had been depopulated. He was much preplexed to determine what construction to put upon the conduct of the governor of Toungu. He had promised assistance to Náret, but proceed by anticipation to do the work before Náret's arrival. But as he had carried off all the elephants, horses, and spoils, from Pegu, Náret deemed it best to march in pursuit of him and lay siege to Toungu. The governor was apprized of this, made preparations to defend himself, and sent off his elephants a long distance. Náret however learned the place of their concealment, and had more

than forty of them taken, whose names and stature are described with great particularity. His endeavors to take the city, however, were unsuccessful. His provisions were exhausted, foraging furnished but trifling relief. Rice was sold at 3 or 4 ticols for a cocoanut shell full. Thus after various manuœvres for three months, as the rainy season approached, he was constrained to abandon the enterprise and But his brother was delegated to quell some serious disturbances in the provinces of North Laos. In this undertaking he spent several months and eventually succeeded, but the detail of his measures is both tedious and unimportant. Thus the annals are brought down to the close of 951, A. d. 1590.

return.

ART. VI.

Infanticide, as described in a proclamation, addressed to the people of Canton, by his excellency Ke, the late lieut.governor of the province. Dated February 19th, 1838. LIEUT.-GOVERNOR Ke hereby promulgates his instructions. Whereas heaven and earth display their benevolent power in giving existence, and fathers and mothers exhibit their tender affection in loving their offspring, it is therefore incumbent on you, inhabitants of the land, to nurse and rear all your little infants, whether male or female. On inquiry, I find that in the province of Canton the drowning of female children is common, and that both rich and poor run into this practice. The causes of infanticide are manifestly these: the poor suppose, that, because they have not the means of support, it is unfitting they should nourish a commodity (female infants) which will become only an increasing source of expenditure; while the rich affirm, that such slender tenants of the nursery can never be raised to any important posts in the household. Surely you forget, that your mothers and wives about you were once female children. Had there been no mothers, whence would you have obtained your own bodies? If you have no wives, where will be your posterity? Being yourselves the offspring of those who were once female children, why cast your own into the field of death? Reflect! Consider what you are doing! The destruction of female infants, is nothing less than the slaughter of human beings. That those who kill, shall themselves be killed, is the sure retribution of omnicient heaven.

Should the widowed mother ever be left without a son, on whom she can be dependent for maintenance, the husband of a daughter may become the support and solace of her old age: is this a benefit lightly to be esteemed? Moreover, that just conduct ensures happiness, and

that its opposite leads to misery-are two principles of retribution most firmly supported by reason. The crying, weeping babe, the moment it comes into being, is entangled in the net of death! To do this, requires the disposition of a pirate-the utter extinction of every generous feeling! To such the hope of a numerous posterity, a long line of descendants celestial reason will never grant.

Recently an essay on infanticide has been written by Hwang Wăn, a literary gentleman belonging to the district of Yingtih. Therein I perceive that the reciprocal influences between heaven and man, the basis of success and misfortune, of weal and woe are delineated with force and light sufficient to unstop the ears of the deaf and to open the eyes of the blind. Copies of this essay I have caused to be sent into all the departments and districts of the province, with admonitions and instructions, that the practice of infanticide may everywhere be examined into and forbidden. I also issue this proclamation for the instruction of all the inhabitants of the province, both civil and military. Henceforth it becomes the duty of each and all of you to revere the benevolent power of heaven and earth; to exercise in their fullest extent those kind feelings which fathers and mothers owe their offspring; and when you have sons and daughters born to you, and your hearts are inclined to this most foul and cruel practice of infanticide, then break from your slumbers, repent and turn from your former misdeeds. And you, elders and gentry, chief among the people, ought likewise continually to endeavor by your exhortations, your support, and your kindness, to prevent the destruction of human life. Hereafter if any dare to oppose and act in opposition to these instructions, it shall be the duty of the elders and gentry to report them to the local magistrates, that they may be seized, examined, and punished. Assuredly no clemency will be shown to such offenders. Therefore give good heed to these instructions. A special proclamation.

Note. Sir G. T. Staunton, in a note on the 319th section of his translation of the Penal Code, has the following remarks on infanticide. “It is manifest from this article, that parents are not in any case absolutely intrusted with a power over the lives of their children, and that accordingly the crime of infanticide, however prevalent it may be supposed to be in China, is not in fact either directly sanctioned by the government, or agreeable to the general spirit of the laws and institutions of the empire. The practice, so revolting to the feelings of humanity, must certainly be acknowledged to exist in China, and even to be in some degree tolerated, but there are considerable reasons for supposing that its extent has been often overrated; and at all events it does not seem allowable to lay any very great stress upon the