It was at this juncture of the family affairs, two days after the
father’s death, that Harriet received an unexpected call from her
friend of former years, Dr. S. R. House, then home on a furlough
from Siam. Writing later to a friend she comments:
“It is but two years this morning since my good husband
called at 373 Broad Street, Newark, to see a lady on very
particular business. Only two years,—and fifteen months of
that time I have been in the city of Bangkok. Does not this
speak well for Samuel’s despatch of business sometimes? (Then
quoting a bit of doggerel which he had once written:)
‘I haven’t the slightest notion
Of launching on the stormy ocean
Where family cares and troubles rise
Heaping their billows to the skies
A wife’s complaint, the young one’s cries
Wont suit me.’
“How entirely we sometimes change our minds! On the morning
of the 26th, the ‘batch’ who once thus sung had not the
slightest, but the strongest notion—and launching forth soon
followed.”
Having changed his mind the suitor allowed little time to slip by
till he had won the object of his heart’s desire. A month and a day
after the engagement, on Nov. 27, 1855, the marriage occurred.
The bridal couple sailed for Siam in the spring of 1856, arriving
at Bangkok in July. On the part of the natives connected with the
mission the bride was received with a quiet curiosity, for these
people were slow to receive newcomers into their affections. But
King Mongkut, having first given a private audience to Dr. House,
requested particularly that the bride might come to the palace to
receive his congratulations. Mrs. House describes the call:
“A few weeks afterwards a note came from him inviting the
ladies who, as he expressed it, ‘had not yet been to pay
their personal interview to H. M.,’ and saying he would send
a boat for us. About 2 p. m., the boat came with one of the
ladies of the king’s household and a train of servants; and
Mrs. Morse and I went.... Passing through a gate in the wall
of the palace we were conducted through paved streets on
each side of which are the brick dwellings of the various
inmates. As we passed along we attracted the attention of the
residents who crowded about the doors, curious to see the
foreign ladies.
“At length we arrived at a large building on the portico of
which were chairs, and here we were invited to sit to await
summons into the royal presence.... After an hour or more a
message came from H. M. announcing his readiness to receive
us. We entered a door guarded by several female soldiers; and
here stood the king to meet us; dressed in a mouse colored,
figured silk sacque, over a white garment—a large diamond
on his breast, a number of very brilliant rings and a gold
watch, and sandals on feet. He extended his right hand very
graciously to us and led the way to a spacious hall, hung
round with mirrors, where we were seated.
“He sent for his favorite wife whom he introduced as his
queen consort, and afterwards sent for her two children; the
eldest a boy of about four years, was loaded with chains
of gold; the youngest a daughter. Both very handsome. His
Majesty was exceedingly affable, speaking English so that
with strict attention we could understand. He conversed on
various subjects intelligently. Refreshments were served,
during which H. M. left us. When he returned he presented to
us each, as a memento of our visit, a very heavy gold ring
of Siamese manufacture, set with five sapphires. After being
shown through some of the apartments, at sundown we took our
leave.”
A belated sequence of this royal welcome was an invitation to Mrs.
House and Mrs. Jonathan Wilson (newly arrived) to dine with the
queen and some of her ladies in the palace the following year.