Next in rank and station to the king, is the wang-na, commonly called, by Europeans, the second king. This high officer is always one of the most exalted of the princes, and is chosen by the king at the time of his accession to the throne. When he survives the king he commonly succeeds him on the throne; but when the wang-na dies first, it is seldom that another is appointed to fill his place, during the reign of the same king. Hence there was no one who held the office at the time of our arrival, the one chosen on the accession of the present king having died about ten months before. At the head of the Siamese administration is the supreme council, consisting of the following officers:-- First: A president, a prince of high rank. When the mission was in the country, this office was held by the prince Khroma-luang-rah. Second: Chao-phaya-bodin-deeha or khroma-ha-thai, formerly called Chao-phaya-chakri. He has the general superintendance of the northern provinces adjoining Pegue, and of the principalities of Laos and Camboja. Third: Chao-phaya-maha-sena, or khroma-ka-la-hom; he is of equal rank with the lastmentioned, and holds the office of commander-in-chief of all the land and sea forces, with the general superintendance of the southwestern provinces, even to the last tributary Malay rajah. Fourth: Chao-phaya, praklang or khromatha, the minister of commerce and foreign affairs, who also has the superintendance of the southeastern provinces adjoining Cochin-China. This office and the lastmentioned, are at present held by one individual. Fifth: Chao-phaya-jomarat, or khroma-muang, minister of criminal justice. Sixth: Chao-phaya-phollathep, or khrom-na, minister of agriculture and produce. Seventh: Chao-phaya-therama-terat, or chroma-wang, governor of the royal palace. The mission, during its stay in the country, had intercourse only with the praklang, and the subordinate officers of his department. These were:-- First: Chao-phaya praklang: Chao-phaya is the first in order of the honorary titles. Praklang is said to signify, “lord of the store-houses,” and is the title of the office. This signification corresponds with the title given to him by the Chinese, viz.: “Great minister of the treasuries or store-houses.” Second: Phaya-si-piphat. This office is held by one of the brothers of the praklang. Phaya is the second honorary title. Third: Phaya-piphat-kossa, called by the Portuguese, the second praklang. The other officers in this department, consisting of four phayas, two pras, (or officers of the third rank,) eleven luangs, (of the fourth rank,) &c., were never met with by the mission, except when in the presence, and acting under the orders, of their superiors. Connected with this department is that of the Farang-khroma-tha, “Frank (or European) commercial board,” under the direction of the Luang-sura-sakhon, chief of the Linguists, or captain of the port. This office is at present held by Sur-Jose-da-Piedade.