Accompanied by the new recruits, Rev. and Mrs. A. B. Morse, Dr. House and his bride sailed in March, 1856, by way of England and Singapore, and arrived at Bangkok in July. The reception accorded Dr. and Mrs. House was an evidence of the position which the missionary had attained in the esteem of the Siamese. He was the recipient of many gifts from the Chinese and Siamese servants and attendants at the mission; while a period of two weeks was largely occupied with calls from the prime minister, the minister of foreign affairs, several of the princes, many of the old friends among the nobles, the old teachers and a multitude of native friends at large. The welcome was so spontaneous that it gave evidence of a genuine honour, and of an appreciation of the years of service rendered by the doctor higher than he had imagined the people felt. But perhaps the most signal token of esteem on this occasion was shown by King Mongkut. No advance notice of the arrival of Dr. House and party having been received, their appearance at the customs house some miles below the city was a surprise, which in some manner was quickly heralded to the king, so that when the party approached the city, officials were waiting to receive them: “Before we got to our own landing our friendly neighbour, H. R. H. Prince Kromma Luang Wongsa, hailed us, and we must needs land at his place. Shaking of hands was not enough, but his arm was offered in English fashion ... and thus escorted by the leading prince of the kingdom was Harriette conducted to her future mission home, Mr. Mattoon and I following.... And soon our native church members and teachers and the school children came flocking around. “But the king had heard of my arrival and the prince had a message from him for me that he was waiting to see me at the palace. So, thither I must go—the prince took me in his own boat. Some public ceremony was going on, and the whole court was assembled at the river house in front of the palace. The king, on a lofty platform handsomely roofed over, by the water edge; while yet at a distance he saw me and called out my name, inviting me to ascend the steps that led to his pavilioned seat, when he shook hands cordially. His Majesty spoke of the letter he had received from me while away. Then he said, ‘Your wife has come with you!’—and then turning to his courtiers added, ‘Formerly Maw House declared he would not have a wife, and now he has taken one.’ ‘Oh, your majesty,’ I replied, ‘wisdom has come to me and I have changed my heart in that matter,’ which made them all smile.