With the accession of King Mongkut a complete change of attitude towards the missionaries was instant. The new men appointed to high office were from the group of progressives. Those who were carried over from the old régime changed their attitude with facility, for after all they only reflected the royal mind. Princes who had eschewed intercourse with foreigners now courted their acquaintance, frankly declaring that fear of disfavour with the old king had formerly held them aloof. Teachers and servants eagerly returned to their posts. The people in the streets manifested a new respect for the foreigners. With great joy Dr. House records the change: “A new era with us—at least the dawn of a brighter day. We have a home at last promised us, and on a really pleasant spot of ground they are going to allow us to build. With brothers Mattoon and Bush, went up to visit the ex-prince-physician (now foreign minister) at his new palace he falls heir to. Were graciously received. ‘I have laid the matter of which you spoke, before the King. He said he gives his permission for you to come here (i. e., to site nearby) to live; desires me to give you any assistance; permits you to build for yourselves; can have the whole vacant space to the canal bank, if needed; wishes you to build many houses; about a thousand missionaries may come if they wish.’ “Almost too good to be true! Are we really then going to obtain what we have been seeking for in vain now these four and one-half years—a place to build a home of our own? A most eligible spot this; none better in all Bangkok.” Permanency being assured, the missionaries decided to construct houses of brick, making them as durable and as comfortable as possible. The erection of these houses required a constant oversight of the work and attention to details that cannot well be understood by people in America, for all the practical problems that the architect or builder would take care of as a matter of course had to be solved by the missionaries who had no experience in such work. In the midst of the enterprise the masons and carpenters struck and it required much diplomacy to adjust their demands. The first houses were completed and preaching services begun at the new compound in February, 1852. This site continued to be the location of the mission until 1857, when growth of the work necessitated a change. MISSIONARY LADIES TEACHING IN THE PALACE