Drawn by M. Sabatier, from a Sketch by M. Mouhot
PORT OF CHANTABOUN.
THE LION ROCK.
On the 3rd January, 1859, after having crossed the little gulf of Chantaboun, the sea being at the time very rough, we came in sight of the famous Lion rock, which stands out like the extremity of a cape at the entrance of this port. From a distance it resembles a lion couchant, and it is difficult to believe that Nature unassisted has formed this singular Colossus. The Siamese—a superstitious race—hold this stone in great veneration, as they do everything that appears to them extraordinary or marvellous. It is said that the captain of an English ship, once anchored in the port, seeing the lion, proposed to buy it, and that, on the governor of the place refusing the offer, he pitilessly fired all his guns at the poor animal. This has been recorded in Siamese verse, with a touching complaint against the cruelty of the Western barbarians.
Drawn by M. Sabatier, from a Sketch by M Mouhot.
THE LION ROCK AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE PORT OF CHANTABOUN.