The acquaintance thus conventionally begun was quickened in mutual
interest in an unexpected manner. When Dr. House reached Siam
he found that the Baptist Mission press had for some time been
publishing an annual almanac. He perceived that these almanacs
were not only accepted by the ordinary people as they would accept
Scripture tracts, but that they were eagerly sought after by a
small number of nobles who were interested in Western science.
These men were surprised to find that the eclipse for 1847 was
much more accurately forecasted in this almanac than by their
own astrologers, and they were eager to discuss the subject of
astronomy.
This observation together with his own interest in science led him,
in September of his first year, to institute a series of lectures
for the benefit of the servants and employes of the mission
compound “in hopes of waking up their dormant minds and accustom
them to think, and so be a little benefitted by the preaching on
the Sabbaths; as well as to impart useful information and to set
before them the great proof of the existence and wisdom of the
Creator, a fundamental truth all Buddhists deny.” The doctor was to
furnish the outlines and perform the experiments while Mr. Caswell,
experienced in the language, was to do the talking. There was a
fair equipment at hand: chemicals, a magnetic machine, a globe, a
set of physiological and hygienic charts and a skeleton.
The first lecture was on the digestion of food and the effects
of alcohol on the stomach. The audience showed their attention
and interest by responding with questions. After the lectures on
physiology came several on astronomical topics such as the eclipse
of the moon, phases of the moon and relation to the tides; then
followed several on the gases. On the occasion of the first lecture
on the gases, it so happened that Godata, a priest from Chao Fah
Yai’s watt, happened to call on Mr. Caswell and was invited to
witness the experiment. The demonstration opened a new world for
him. What he saw was too wonderful to keep to himself; he spread
abroad his report and the effect was immediate.
The first to respond was Prince Ammaruk, the favourite son of the
king, who requested the privilege of watching the doctor create the
wonderful “winds.” On the day appointed for the special experiment,
Chao Fah Yai sent a request for Dr. House to accompany him that
evening to call upon a brother prince who was quite ill. In reply
the doctor explained his engagement for the evening, but offered
to make the call after the demonstration, and suggested that
the Priest-Prince might himself like to witness the experiment.
To the doctor’s surprise, the Priest-Prince came early in the
afternoon to take the doctor to see the patient, so that they might
have the whole evening free for the experiments. At the palace,
Chao Fah Yai explained the evening’s entertainment to the royal
physician (a brother of the king) who promptly invited himself. By
arrangement with Prince Ammaruk several others were to come, so
that at the appointed time the small house was filled with nobles
and princes, and the verandah with their servants. Fortunately the
experiments went off successfully; oxygen was generated and iron
was burned in the oxygen; hydrogen was generated from water and
exploded in combination with oxygen. Chao Fah Yai was particularly
enthusiastic, and called in from the verandah some of his men to
see the wonders, and himself volunteered to explain the facts to
them.
The series of lectures awakened widespread interest among the
progressive nobles. Dr. House became a notable in their esteem.
Nearly all of the group who were present on that evening were
amateur scientists; they had the air pump, the electric machine
and other physical apparatus, but of chemistry they had no idea.
Shortly after this Chao Fah Noi, who had been keeping aloof
from foreigners, sent a request for Dr. House to spend the
evening at his palace and instruct him in the making of gases.
How long the series of lectures continued is not apparent; the
journal continues reference to them while they are novel, but
they apparently continued throughout that winter. Other subjects
named were “The Weight of the Atmosphere,” “The Barometer,”
“Heat,” “The Oxyhydrogen Blow Pipe,” “Carbon and Carbonic Gas,”
“Electro-magnetic Telegraph,” and “Electricity.” The original
purpose of instruction for the servants was outgrown, and week
after week one or more of the nobles who were dabbling in science
were present with their ubiquitous train of servants. From this
time on the journal indicates that the doctor’s instruction in the
Bible classes took the form of “Evidences of Natural and Revealed
Religion.”
The popular interest, however, was directed towards a particular
subject, the skeleton. Very quickly news of this strange
possession spread abroad, and every few days in season and out
of season visitors would call and, scarcely able to restrain
their inquisitiveness during the preliminary courtesies, hasten
to request a sight of the skeleton. Even some of the ladies
became interested in this curiosity; and one day a woman of rank,
with half a dozen attendants and a train of servants, came with
a request to see the skeleton. Long after local curiosity had
subsided, chance callers from distant provinces would come to see
this object of nation wide gossip.
Very remarkable, the skeleton itself did not seem to make so
profound an impression upon these minds as the “argument from
design” which their instructor deduced from the human anatomy to
prove the existence of a Creator. Female curiosity also called for
demonstrations with the electrical machine. During the reign of the
old king some of the ladies of the palace had a prince arrange for
Dr. House to bring to the prince’s palace the machine which could
make “fi fah” (fire from the sky), that they might see the marvel.
The doctor, of course, was not permitted to enter the presence of
the king’s women, so he had to instruct the prince in the method of
operation.