Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/11

1837.] obtruded in their present imperfect form, had not the interest lately excited among Indian literati towards the history of this singular and widely extended religion, as regards Ceylon and Southern India, by the announced publication of a translation of the Mahawanso and the promised opening of the Mackenzie MSS., led me to hope that their communication might perchance contribute to stimulate among the many highly talented sojourners in our settlements to the eastward, a corresponding enquiry into the ancient records of the Buddha priests of Japan—China—of the Indo Chinese nations, and of the aboriginal tribes of the Indian Archipelago, as they stand in relation to those of India and Ceylon. In this spirit the following notes are proffered. The inferences and quotations they contain are adduced rather with the view of courting investigation, than for the purpose of establishing a theory.

The historical records of Siam may be divided, like the nation itself, into two classes—the ancient and the comparatively modern. The T′hay J′hay and the T′hay. I am not aware that copies of the former have ever been procured by European collectors; though, from the testimony of Leyden, corroborated by that of several intelligent Siamese with whom I have had oral communication on the subject, there can be little doubt of their existence. According to La Loubére, who visited Siam in 1687-8, the T′hay J′hay or ancient nation of Siam was then in a state of barbarity compared with the more modern T′hays. Leyden distinctly states that they were formerly famous for their learning and the power of their empire, that many monuments of this ancient race still exist in the kingdom of Siam, and that in the vicinity of Ligore, there are various ancient inscriptions on stone, among the ruins of a very ancient temple, which are attributed to the T′hay J′hays, but which no person among the moderns was able to decipher. The annals of the T′hay dynasty, according to the same author, commence only from the building of the city Maha Nakhon, a little more than 1400 years ago. The ten volumes MS. now sent to the Society constitute a portion of this modern version, commencing in the 712th year of the Siamese era. The book of laws is a compend of the civil code of Siam; it is divided into two parts—the first comprises an introduction and a chapter containing 33 sections, embracing regulations for the protection of agriculturists, trespasses committed both by men and animals—stealing of rice, agricultural implements, water for purposes of irrigation, removing of land-marks, &c. Part the second contains 12 chapters with an introduction and preamble. It treats principally of the fines and punishments for making false claims to the property of others, pawns, mortgaged lands, water-rights, recording of deeds, the laws of borrowing, buying and selling, gambling, quarrels, the properly securing of elephants, cattle, &c. and concludes with a