Page:The kingdom and people of Siam - with a narrative of the mission to that country in 1855 (IA b29352447 0001).pdf/537

 artillery, it can hardly be said that the object of the Government has been effected, or that there are any regiments which could cope with even the worst disciplined troops of the West.

When the people are summoned to war, a month’s rations are provided by the Government, which undertakes to arm the population. There is no species of weapon, from a knife to a rifle, which is not called into service,—swords and spears in every possible variety, bows of all shapes and sizes; and though I have been told there is a military uniform, consisting of a red, blue, or green vest, with many-coloured loose cotton trousers, I observed among the so-called soldiery costumes as multifarious as the tribes and tongues of their wearers. A small body of Catholic soldiers, consisting of those mingled races which are found in all the localities where the foreigner has at any time left the record of his presence, are dressed almost in the European style.

The departure of the army is always appointed for some auspicious day, fixed by the official Brahmins or soothsayers, who are consulted by the King. Holy water is sprinkled by the bonzes over the soldiers, and an effigy of the prince or rebel who is about to be attacked is introduced. The public executioner strikes a heavy blow on the head of the image; and if it fall down, it is deemed a happy augury; if not, disastrous results are anticipated. The general-in-chief then draws his sword, to the sound of gongs and amidst the shouts of the soldiers, and the whole body march towards the river. ‘There is a superstition, that if a boat should cross the stream above