52
Guizlaff's Journal;
JnAE, ,
Amongst the various races of people who inhabit Siam, there are also Kamehs or natives of Camboja. This country, situated to the south-east of Siam, is doubtless of higher antiquity than any of the surrounding states. The name Camboja occurs in the Ramayan and other ancient Hindoo poems; and in the earliest accounts of the country, Hindostan is mentioned as the cradle of Budhism. The language of the Cambojans differs materially from the Siamese, and is more harsh, but at the same time also more copious. Their literature is very extensive, and their books are written in a character called Khom, which is used by the Siamese only in writing their sacred Bali books. Most of their books,—and, with the exception of the national laws and history, perhaps all,—are in poetry. They treat generally on very trivial subjects, abound in repetitions, and are often extremely childish. I have seen a geographical work, written some centuries ago, which is more correct than Chinese works of the same kind.
Camboja was very long ruled by its own princes; but lately, disunion induced two brothers to take up arms against each other. Cochinchina and Siam both profited by this discord, and divided the country between themselves, while one of the princes fled to Cochinchina, and three to Siam. I was acquainted with two of the latter, the third having died. They entertain the hope that their country will yet be restored to them, since they did nothing to forfeit it. The younger of the two is a man of genius, and ready to improve his mind, but too childish to take advantage of any opportunity which may offer to him. The Cambojans are a cringing, coarse people, narrow-minded, insolent, and officious, as circumstances require. They are, however, open to conviction, and capable of improvement. The males are many of them well-formed, but the females are very vulgar in their appearance. They are on equality with their neighbours, in regard to
