Page 229 - A History of Siam

A HISTORT OF SIAM
215
"
with him several times The is below
spoke : King
the but and well set
average height, very straight up.
His demeanour is attractive, and his manners full of
and kindness. He is and and
gentleness lively active,
an enemy to sloth. He is always either in the forest
or in his to State
hunting elephants, palace, attending
affairs. He is not fond of war, but when forced to take
up the sword, no Eastern monarch has a stronger passion
for
glory."
King Narai was, without doubt, a remarkable man, and
it is that such a man should have ended his
pitiable
so The with which his name
days miserably. glamour
has been surrounded by contemporary French writers
must not, however, blind us to the fact that his foreign
was a unwise and had he lived
policy very one, must,
have his into serious
longer, brought Kingdom danger.
King Narai was not responsible for any great amount
of his Most of the Laws
legislation during long reign.
attributed to him are mere Regulations as to procedure.
The most of his Laws is one of the Articles
interesting
"
of the Law known as the Law of Clauses."
Thirty-six
This Article, dating from the year 1687, provides for
the punishment of offences similar to Champerty and
Maintenance, Any man who prosecuted or defended
a case under the that he was a relative of one
pretence
of the rendered himself liable to severe
parties very
penalties.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XIII

The order of events in connection with the death of Phaulkon
and the usurpation of PVa P'etraja is differently given by various
contemporary authorities. In the version here given, compiled
from several contemporary accounts, the main facts are set down
in their most probable order.