filth and rethedness, and are by no means inferior to them in laziness. They carry on scarcely any trade except in silk stuffs, which they fabricate themselves, although to do so is contrary to the institutes of Budha, because the life of the silk-worm is endangered during the process. To spend hours before their nobles in the posturte of crouching dogs, to chew betelnut, and to converse in their harsh language, are the most agreable amusements of this people.
Camboja is watered by the Meinam kom, a large river, which takes its rise in Thibet. Like the southern part of Siam, the land is low and fertile, and even well-inhabited. The principal emporium is Luknooi (so called by the natives), the Saigon of Europeans. This place has many Chinese settlers within its precincts, and carries on, under the jurisdiction of the Cochinchinese, a very brisk trade, (principally in betelnut and silk), both with Singapore and the northern ports of China. The capital of Camboja is surrounded by a wall, erected in high antiquity. The country itself is highly cultivated, though not to the extent that it might be; for, as the people are satisfied with a little rice and dry fish, they are not anxious to improve their condition by industry.
Hitherto Camboja has been the cause of much hostility between Siam and Cochinchina; each nation being anxious to extend its own jurisdiction over the whole country. Even so late as last year, a Cochinchinese squadron, collected at Luknooi, was about to put out to sea in order to defend the Cambojan coast against an expected descent of the Siamese; while at the same time, the Cambojans are anxious to regain their liberty, and to expel the Cochinchinese, their oppressors.
Cochinchina or Annam, united by the last revolution with Tonquin, has always veiwed Siam with the greatest distrust. Formerly, the country was divided by civil
