To Siam and Malaya in the Duke of Sutherland's Yacht, "Sans Peur"

This is an account written 100 years ago of a voyage in a luxurious private yacht. The author, although employed as a geographer and naturalist, spends much of his time describing the lifestyles, entertainments and court life of the kingdoms of Siam and Malaya.

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First published just over a hundred years ago, this delightful account of a voyage in a luxurious Ducal private yacht, where half the crew apparently consisted of cooks, covers a journey though the Red Sea to India, Singapore, and Siam returning via Malaya, Ceylon, and Egypt. The author was invited to join the yacht as 'geographer and naturalist' but did, in fact, spend much time describing Court life and entertainments in Bangkok, where she met King Chulalongkorn. In Singapore and Johore, the party was equally lavishly entertained by the Sultan (at the final banquet the entire set of Ellenborough gold plate was used!). These descriptions can be considered as set-pieces of real historical value but the book also includes much information more directly related to the work for which Mrs Caddy was engaged. To Siam and Malaya is well written in an interesting and undemanding way, and today's reader will find it as fresh and entertaining as when it was first published.