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a few instances, such as I have named — the wood dealer is one.
July 4, 1861. — Four or five of us Americans got up a Fourth of July celebration, consisting of a grand dinner, the best edibles that Singapore and Bangkok could give us. The table was set for 65 guests, in which there were Siamese nobles, Chinese of high grade. We sat at table and enjoyed the dinner, while a Siamese band gave us the best music they could, which means the fellow who can make the biggest noise is the best musician. After the cloth was removed toasts were given and drunk in water-champagne. The King of of Siam was represented by the Lord Mayor; the President of the United States by the writer; the Queen of England by Her Majesty's Consul. Everything went off just as we intended it should. We began the day by firing a national salute with the largest firecrackers we could get; and I tell you we made the welkin ring, for the crackers made a noise like small cannons. We fired 41
