It was in the year 1000 of the Buddhist era, A.D. 457, that King Tuang, whose accession and glorious reign had been announced by a communication from Gandama himself, and who possessed, in addition to his other claims to distinction, “a white elephant with black tusks,” introduced the alphabet Tai, which was communicated to a numerous conclave of Buddhist priests. The ancient chronicles terminate with the establishment of Chao-Utonng in the new city of Si-Ayo-Thaya (Ayuthia), but leave the date of this event rather doubtful. SIAMESE MONARCHS. The following is the list of Siamese monarchs since the foundation of this capital:-- Siamese Era. Christian Era. 712 1350 Phra Rama Phiobodi. 731 1369 ---- Rama Suen (his son). 732 1370 ---- Borom Raxa (his brother). 744 1382 ---- Rama Suen II. 747 1385 ---- Phaja Ram (his son). 763 1401 Inthaxara. 792 1430 Borom Raxa Phirat. 805 1442 Boronua Irai Lokharat. 834 1472 Phra Rama Phibodi. 875 1513 Raxa Kuman. 876 1514 Xaja Raxa Phirat. 889 1527 Phra Jot Fa. 891 1529 Maha Cha Kraphat Raxa Ihirat. 909 1547 Phra Chao Xang Phuok. 914 1552 Mahinthara Thirat. 926 1564 Phra Naret. 957 1595 Eka Thotsarot. 963 1601 Chao Fa. 964 1602 Phra Chao Song Iham. 989 1627 Phra Chao Prasal Ihong. 1017 1655 Chao Fa Xai. 1018 1656 Phra Chao Xam Phuok. 1050 1688 Phra Phet Raxa. 1059 1697 Chao Dua. 1068 1706 Name unknown. 1120 1758 Chao Dok Ma Dua. 1128 1766 Interregnum. 1129 1767 Phyja Tak. 1173 1811 Phra Phuti Chao Luang (the founder of the present dynasty). 1187 1825 Phen Din Prasat Ihong. 1213 1851 Phra Chao Prasat Ihong. HISTORICAL SKETCH. Instead of dwelling on the ancient history of Siam, we prefer to give an extract from the appendix to the celebrated work of Sir John Bowring, ‘The Kingdom and People of Siam:’ the passage originally appeared in ‘The Chinese Repository,’ and is from the pen of the late king:--