the capital of Siam, stands on the banks of the river Menam, about 20 miles by water from the sea. The river is navigable to the city; but there is a bar at its mouth, which at neap ebbs has only 6 feet water on it. The river farther up is deep, though impeded by shoals and stockades. After the Burmese in 1760 took the capital Yuthia, the country was in a state of anarchy until a merchant of Chinese extraction put himself at the head of affairs, and made Bangkok his capital. The town extends for two miles and a half, chiefly on the east side of the river. It contains many well-built Buddhist temples, which, with their gilded pinnacles and ornamented roofs, have a good effect. On the left bank of the river are rows of floating houses. The river is nearly a quarter of a mile wide at the city. The population is believed to be from 100,000 to 150,000. The country is intersected with canals, so that the inhabitants live much on the water, especially during the annual inundations. A considerable trade is carried on with China. Except the temples and the royal palace, all the houses are of wood. Lat. 13. 58. N. Long. 100. 34. E.