[26]. In 1888, 27,118 bullocks were exported from Bangkok, and according to the last Consular Report, “the export of cattle overland to Burmah is said to be about double that from Bangkok.” One hundred thousand head of cattle—buffaloes and bullocks—have died in a single year of cattle-disease in Burmah, and a large portion of the area of our province would have been thrown out of cultivation if it had not been for the supplies we were able to draw from Siam.
[27]. A superstitious belief that the ancient trade-routes must necessarily be the best has always influenced Indian officialism. It overlooks the important fact that routes which were well adapted for caravan traffic may be quite unsuitable for railway communication; and also that the character and localities of commerce have changed since the ancient routes were opened up.
[28]. The son of the late regent was then Kalahom, or Prime Minister of Siam, and the Kalahom’s daughter is the king’s first wedded wife, but without the rank of queen. The present queens, right and left, are half-sisters of the king, and full sisters of Prince Devawongse. The Kalahom, the Kromatah or Foreign Minister—who was a half-brother of the ex-regent—and the uncle of the king, who were the heads of the nobles that opposed progress, have been removed by death or resigned since my visit, and the king has no longer a pretence for delaying to propagate measures for the improvement of his administration and the welfare of his people.
[29]. These railways, with the exception of the branch from Maulmain, are now being surveyed by English engineers, under Sir Andrew Clarke’s syndicate, for the King of Siam.
[30]. China has since been able to borrow at five per cent.
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