The Japanese have recently come to the front as a nation, and it would not be surprising if the Siamese followed their example.
The King of Siam, who has just been visiting Europe to attend the Jubilee celebrations, appears to be a clever and progressive monarch.
He has been visiting Rome, and has of course been taken to see the wonderful art treasures that this very ancient city contains. His guides were much impressed by the correct taste the King displayed in matters of art. They declare that no artist could have made better comments on the various pictures and statues shown him than this King of Siam, to whom examples of Greek art were new.
The history of Italy and the deeds of its great men were also familiar to this far-away King. In passing through one of the galleries he saw the statues of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy and of Garibaldi, the two men who had worked so bravely for the liberty of Italy.
The King of Siam stopped before these statues, uncovered his head, and paid silent homage to the noble deeds of these two great heroes. His suite followed his example, all the gentlemen in his train bowing with uncovered heads and passing silently on.
The King also appears to have a keen sense of humor.
He was invited by one of the scientific societies of Rome to attend a lecture on some very deep subject, in which he was not at all interested.
He did not want to attend, but confided to King Humbert that he feared the professors would call him a barbarian if he stayed away. So to the lecture he went.
On his return King Humbert asked him how he had enjoyed it.
"To be frank with you," he replied, "it is even stronger at putting you to sleep than our opium."