This, however, does little good to the French, for the courts refuse to hear French complaints.

Some of the Cambodian chiefs who are under French protection have been arrested by the Siamese, thrown into prison, and kept there many months without being brought to trial.

It is thought that the King of Siam needs a lesson to teach him to be more respectful to his European neighbors.

You remember that in the case of United States Vice-Consul Mr. Kellet at Bangkok, that the trouble arose from the Siamese trying to seize the property of an American citizen named Cheek, and that Siam did not want to make amends for the wrong.

It seems that the French difficulty arises from much the same cause.  The Siamese Government does not like to see the taxes going out of its hands, and so, despite its treaties, seizes them for itself.

The spread of civilization into Asia has taught these Eastern monarchs many things, and they are no longer simple, docile people, who can be overawed by the knowledge and power of the Europeans.

The Japanese have recently come to the front as a nation, and it would not be surprising if the Siamese followed their example.

The King of Siam, who has just been visiting Europe to attend the Jubilee celebrations, appears to be a clever and progressive monarch.

He has been visiting Rome, and has of course been taken to see the wonderful art treasures that this very ancient city contains.  His guides were much impressed by the correct taste the King displayed in matters of art.  They declare that no artist could have made better comments on the various pictures and statues shown him than this King of Siam, to whom examples of Greek art were new.

The history of Italy and the deeds of its great men were also familiar to this far-away King.  In passing through one of the galleries he saw the statues of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy and of Garibaldi, the two men who had worked so bravely for the liberty of Italy.

The King of Siam stopped before these statues, uncovered his head, and paid silent homage to the noble deeds of these two great heroes.  His suite followed his example, all the gentlemen in his train bowing with uncovered heads and passing silently on.

The King also appears to have a keen sense of humor.

He was invited by one of the scientific societies of Rome to attend a lecture on some very deep subject, in which he was not at all interested.

He did not want to attend, but confided to King Humbert that he feared the professors would call him a barbarian if he stayed away.  So to the lecture he went.

On his return King Humbert asked him how he had enjoyed it.

“To be frank with you,” he replied, “it is even stronger at putting you to sleep than our opium.”

When the news of the trouble in Siam was telegraphed, the King declared that he knew nothing of the affair.  If he is as clever as they say, he probably keeps himself thoroughly acquainted with everything that is happening in his kingdom.