Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/33

 Favored by an over-ruling Providence, I had equal access to the palace, and to the cottage; and was frequently, against my inclination, called to the former. Chow-fa-nooi, the younger brother of the late king and the rightful heir of the crown, is a youth, of about 23, possesing some abilities, which are however swallowed up in childishness. He speaks the English; can write a little; can imitate works of European artisans; and is a decided friend of European sciences, and of Christianity. He courts the friendship of every European; holds free conversation with him, and is anxious to learn whatever he can. He is beloved by the whole nation, which is wearied out by heavy taxes; but his elder brother, Chow-fa-yay, who is just now a priest, is still more beloved. If they ascend the throne, the changes in all the institutions of the country will be great, but perhaps too sudden.—The son of the Phra Klang, or minister of foreign affairs, is of superior intelligence, but has a spirit for intrigue, which renders him formidable at court, and dangerous to foreigners. He looks with contempt upon his whole nation, but crouches before every individual, by means of whom he may gain any influence.—Chow-nin, the step-brother of the King, is a young man, of good talents, which are however spoiled by his habit of smoking opium. Kroma-sun-ton, late brother of the king, and chief justice of the kingdom, was the person by whom I could communicate my sentiments to the king. Officially invited, I spent hours with him in conversation, principally upon Christianity, and often upon the character of the British nation. Though himself a most dissolute person, he requested me to educate his son, (a stupid boy,) and seemed the best medium for communicating Christian truth to the highest personages of the kingdom. At his request, I wrote a work upon Christianity, but he lived not to read it; for he was burnt in his palace in the begining of 1831.—Kroma-khun, brother-in-law to the former king, a stern old man, called in my medical