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SI AM. 281
Mr. Finlayson supposes, Chinese figure-stone, or helio-
trope. There was nothing in the shape of an altar.
The strangers were followed into the temple by a
crowd of idlers, whose noisy indecorum shewed little
reverence for the place. A paved arcade surrounds
the temple, the walls of which are covered with rude
paintings of subjects taken from the Ramayana. In
the same enclosure there is a small handsome building,
also of a pyramidal form, in which are deposited the
royal collection of sacred books. A flight of steps
leads to it, which, as well as the floor, is covered with
plates of tin. The books, which appear to be not
very numerous, are contained in a cabinet ornamented
with small pieces of mother-of-pearl. At each of the
principal gates of this enclosure, stand gigantic earthen
images, of grotesque form, with clubs in their hands ;
and at each angle of the temple, are brass figures of a
nondescript animal, somewhat resembling a lion. Besides
these, there are other figures of clay, paltry in
appearance and absurd in design. Altogether, in the
style of their architecture, sculpture, painting, and
decoration, the Siamese appeared to Mr. Finlayson to
be far behind the rude inhabitants of Ceylon.
The description given of the royal levee, at which
the Agent of the Governor-general was presented to
his majesty of Siam, exhibits the same ceremonials,
but on a far less magnificent scale, that are observed
at the court of Ava.* The reception given to Mr.
* The hall was lofty and about 60 feet in length, supported by
wooden pillars, ten on each side, painted spirally red and dark
green. The ceiling and walls were also painted with wreaths and
festoons in various colours. Some small and paltry mirrors were
disposed on the walls ; glass lustres and wall- shades were hung in
the centre ;
and to the middle of each pillar was attached a lantern,
not much better than our stable lanterns. The floor was carpeted.
A large and handsome cloth curtain, covered with tinsel or gold.