THE REVOLUTION THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE
DOWNFALL OF FAULCON AND THE FRENCH.
Whilst Faulcon was doing his best to ensure the prosperity of the
state, the nobles, jealous of his power and influence were humiliated
by having to be subservient to a foreigner. The priests discredited,
and without the enjoyment of Court favour, saw to their sorrow a
minister, who despised their religion and set an example to the nation
of forsaking their gods and superstitions. The common people, blind to
common sense, and ready to follow any leader as foolish as themselves,
espoused the cause of the priests who, to promote the cause of Heaven,
sowed dissensions broadcast. Kings ought to have learnt by experience
that when a people is discontented, an ambitious man is all that is
required to make it rebellious. A single man suffices to instil into
dull minds the fact that union is strength, and to cause them to pass
from the ignominy of slavery to the desire for freedom.
The Siamese people, who were murmuring in secret, only awaited a
leader to break out in revolt. Men of all conditions yearned for a
deliverer and any ambitious personage had a chance of assuming this
imposing title.
An official by name Pitracha, took advantage of the popular discontent
as a basis on which to rear the fabric of his fortune. At first he
sheltered his aims under the cloak of religion; and a hypocritical
zealot in religious matters, he gained the confidence of the priests
and people, who regarded him as the protector of their temples and of
their ancestral form of worship. This imposter in disguise took the
surest means to stir up the fires of rebellion, as the mob invariably
supports those who take up arms on behalf of their religion.
Some say that Pitracha was born to be galley-slave rather than to
succeed to a throne, but I can affirm that, from reliable information
received, that he was of the blood royal and even first cousin to the
reigning King. His mother who had been nurse to the King had two
children, Pitracha who has been mentioned, and a daughter. Both these
children had been brought up in the Palace and had been the playmates
of the King in his youth. First impressions are the most durable, and
the King had always a kindly feeling for the playfellow of his youth,
whom he afterwards advanced to the highest official position in the
Kingdom. The daughter who was comely and pleasing withal, was admitted
to the harem and became the favourite wife. Unfortunately she
conceived a guilty passion for the King's brother and as there were
too many spies about for the liaison to be kept secret for long, the
faithless wife was condemned to be devoured by tigers.
Pitracha dissembled his resentment so as not to lose favour; and the
King, charmed with the apathy he exhibited, ordered him to chastise
the offending prince with a rattan.
Pitracha carried out his instructions with such effect that the Prince
dragged out a wretched existence; as the punishment had caused severe
injuries.
The other brother of the King had been implicated in the Macassar
plot, and this fact added to his natural vicious habits debarred him
from any possibility of obtaining the throne.
The fact of the King being in poor health, and of his having no heirs
was favourable to ambitious designs.
Pitracha though small in stature was high spirited. His physiognomy
was interesting; his glittering eyes seemed to pierce the inmost
depths of one's thoughts and although 56 years of age, he still had
the strength of youth. His natural eloquence won the hearts of all.
Popular amongst his subordinates, and haughty towards his rivals, he
adopted even with the King, the tone of a censor animated by the
public welfare. His frankness was a clever artifice by which he might
reproach the King with his faults or those of his ministers, whom he
rendered odious, by acting the part of the zealous citizen. Although
he managed to conceal his criminal designs, his more indiscreet
followers embittered the people by the announcement that the minister
(Faulcon) in calling in the French soldiery was scheming to place the
sceptre in their hands, and to raise Christianity on the ruins of the
faith of their forefathers.
The alarm or the nation was strengthened by the fact that Bangkok and
Mergui had been handed over to the French and the same fact gave
colour to their statements.
Pitracha, calm in the midst of the general turmoil, pretended to
deplore the evils for which in reality he was responsible. He had a
rival for the King's favour, and he considered it wise to help his
rival's claims so that he might the more readily be able to compass
his downfall.
There was a favourite at Court named Monpit aged twenty-two years whom
the King had loaded with honours. The licence that both he and his
relatives enjoyed, gave credit to the rumour that he was the offspring
of a secret amour between the King and a concubine; and that he had
been chosen as heir to the throne. The eyes of all were fixed on this
rising star which was confidently expected to preside one day over the
destinies of the nation.
His inexperience rendered him an easy prey; and the favour he enjoyed
rendered him unsuspicious.
Pitracha, accustomed to Court life, where a kiss is the usual prelude
to treachery, found in him a suitable tool for the accomplishment of
his designs. He pointed out to him, that as he had been adopted by the
King as his son, he had only one step to take to become his successor;
but that he ought to act with boldness so as not to render the
promises of fortune worthless.
Monpit dazzled by visions of power, surrendered his will entirely to
the counsels of an enemy in the guise of a patron. He begged Pitracha
to act as his father and promised to share the throne with him.
The Court was ruled by three men, all of whom were actuated by
different motives.
The moribund King had but a shadow of that power of which the
favourites possessed the reality. The hearts of all the nation beat
for Pitracha, who artfully appeared to despise the power which in
secret he coveted. His devotion to the priests had enlisted them in
his cause, and there are no more zealous partisans than those who
imagine they perceive in an ambitious hypocrite, a defender of their
temples and rites.
His designs could not escape the notice of Faulcon who was
sufficiently clear sighted to see their aim, but was too weak to
circumvent them. Full of confidence in the French, he considered that
he could oppose them as a rampart against the assaults of enemies.
He had been informed that Pitracha had counterfeited the seals of
state so as to be able to issue orders favourable to his schemes. His
emissaries, spread throughout the provinces, were raising forces under
pretext of guarding against imaginary dangers. Pitracha, despairing of
ingratiating himself with Faulcon, sought means to undo him by
pandering to his self esteem, by means of the encomiums that the
office holder invariably imagines are his due. "It is unfortunate for
you and for the State," he said, "that being a foreigner, you are not
eligible for the throne, as otherwise you would rule as King, an
Empire that you administer to-day in your official capacity."
"The King, who is well aware of the incapacity of his brothers would
always have a scruple against giving us such masters. If by some
unlucky chance, they came into power, they would use it against the
favourites and officials whom they hate as the authors of the
punishments they have had to bear. Believe me, let us anticipate their
revenge and as soon as the King is dead, let us take possession of the
palace. I would see that you were conducted to Bangkok by my friends
and there you could bid defiance to any who might wish to supplant
you, Monpit is working in your interests and in mine. Our safety is
dependant on our union, but for my own part I have resolved to bury
myself in solitude and to consecrate the rest of my life to the
worship of our gods whom it is quite impossible to serve amid the
stress of state affairs." Faulcon did not believe a single word of
this, and was convinced that ambitious men have no disinterested
friends. He replied that he intended to remain faithful to the service
of his master, and that he considered it treasonable to form any
league; and assured those who looked for his co-operation that he
would only act on behalf of the King's interests.
He resisted the temptation of revealing the matter to the King and
besides the fear of aggravating the illness of the Royal patient
caused him to dissemble. He had no convincing proofs to bring against
the guilty parties and he might have exposed himself to the risk of
punishment inflicted for slander. The King would have with difficulty
given credence to his recital, and his deluded heart would have
justified his favourites. Had Pitracha been exposed, the plots would
only have come to a head, and as no precautionary measures had been
taken, it was necessary to dissemble.
It is politic to ignore crime that cannot be punished. Faulcon, in
order to retain his prestige in sight of the people, let it be
understood that it was he who had been the cause of Pitracha's
advancement; and in favouring his cause so as to the more easily bring
about his downfall determined that the dying King should hand over the
regency of the Kingdom to him. Pitracha made great protestations of
gratitude in order to be afterwards ungrateful for his success. He
played his part so well that the Greek, who considered himself a
past-master in the art of plumbing the depths of a man's character,
believed that he had no more zealous partisan, especially since his
advice was always followed in the councils of state. As the keeper of
the King's conscience, he was exposed to the danger of causing the
happiness of the few and of arousing the hostility of the many. Every
case heard before his tribunal increased the number of his enemies,
because those who gained the day were never grateful to justice, while
the losers imputed their defeat to the corruption of the judges.
The new regent had no more eloquent panegyrist than the man whom he
wished to destroy, and the King delighted in listening to the praises
which the minister showered on his secret enemy. The King charged them
to continue to work harmoniously together as the public welfare
depended on their concord. He made them embrace each other as a pledge
of eternal affection, but the favours of courtiers are but as snares
for the credulous, who are influenced by externals only.
Faulcon's friends who were more clear sighted warned him of the
approaching storm, but he was blinded by his uninterrupted successes;
and prosperity unmixed with reverses had made him forget that Fortune
is apt to desert her favourites. Accustomed to being in authority he
never considered for one moment that his credit might fail; and a
fortunate office-holder invariably believes himself to be a necessity
to his employers.
M. de Métellopolis, with more foresight, pointed out the gulf yawning
under him, but Faulcon treated him with the scorn which is the reward
of dreamers who offer visions for realities. A Jesuit was hounded with
ignominy from his presence for having had the boldness to give him
some advice, and he was indiscreet or ill-natured enough to reveal to
the other officials the sources from which he had obtained his
information.
At last his eyes were opened to the dangers, but it was too late to
find a remedy. The King suffering from dropsy, was sinking rapidly. As
he could now no longer hide the approach of Death; he nominated Monpit
as his successor.
His friends and relations filled all the important offices, and troops
had been raised to support his candidature. Faulcon, ever devoted to
the interests of his master, acted on his behalf, but Pitracha
condemned his action in no measured terms. He proclaimed that it was
his determination to place the crown on the head of the King's brother
whom he would set up as an imposing phantom so as in reality to secure
the power for himself. Pitracha was the wire-puller of this
macheviellian policy and to attract the Princes to the court,
pretended that the King their brother wished to nominate one of them
as his successor.
They hesitated for a long time before yielding to his pressing
solicitations. The youngest, braver or perhaps more ambitious than the
rest, presented himself at the court with the Princess whom he had
just married. They were given a magnificent reception. All the nobles
hastened to render homage, but Monpit and Faulcon alone held aloof.
The eldest of the Princes on his arrival shortly afterwards, refused
to receive either Monpit or Faulcon when they asked for an audience.
As soon as the regent had all those who might cross his path in his
power, he resolved to wait patiently for the death of the King and
then to be proclaimed as his successor.
But having been informed by his spies that an armed force, was
advancing to support the claims of Monpit, he resolved to hasten the
consummation of his crimes. Monpit, who for several days had been
watching by the bedside of the dying King; was called out of the room
and stabbed to death by the emissaries of Pitracha, regardless of the
outcries of the King who implored them to spare his son. At last,
Faulcon who had been lulled to a sense of false security, realised the
condition of affairs. He could only cure the evil, by striking at the
root, namely by arresting Pitracha, and thus secure the loyalty of the
disaffected; but he was powerless, as he himself was surrounded by
enemies in a court where Royal favour and the fact of his being a
foreigner had drawn upon him the hatred of all. There was only one
resource left, and that was the assistance of the French soldiery. He
instructed them to assemble under arms at Louvo and told them that
their presence was necessary to the mutual interests of the allied
monarchs. The rapidity with which Des Farges took action showed that
he was ready to do everything for the benefactor of his nation.
He set out with 100 picked men of his garrison and this little band
was sufficient to overawe thousands of the Siamese. The general passed
through the capital before proceeding to Louvo, but at this point
timidity prevented his further advance. The report that the King was
dead had been disseminated by the rebels, who wished to sound the
popular feeling, and everything pointed to a generally disturbed state
of affairs. Des Farges went to the Seminary and thought it would be
wise to hold a consultation with those who lived there.
The protection that the missionaries had enjoyed caused him to regard
their abode as an inviolable sanctuary, and the confidence he reposed
in them, invited him to follow the wisdom of their experience.
The Missionaries, deceived by the popular rumours, told him that he
would be running useless risks, that the roads were lined with
ambuscades ready to annihilate all the French.
The general, unmoved by these tales dictated without doubt by the
desire they had for his safety, appeared to wish to persevere in his
design of going to the rescue of the King and his minister.
He was all the more anxious to do so as he foresaw that the downfall
of Faulcon would mean his own ruin, and, that shut up without hope of
succour in a town ill-fortified and badly provisioned, he would be
obliged to submit to any humiliating condition they might impose upon
him.
Not however wishing to precipitate matters, he sent one of his
officers to Louvo to find out how matters really stood. Whilst he
lingered at the capital, a secret rumour aroused the inhabitants
against him. It was reported that the object of the French forces in
going to Louvo was the pillage of the public treasury, and that they
intended to dispose of the throne as they pleased. In order to
reassure the inhabitants the general thought it more prudent to
withdraw his little army whose presence had caused such alarm. He
retired a distance of two leagues from the town, and was met by his
envoy who gave him an account of the events at Court. Whether this
officer had been misled by his own fears or that he was convinced that
there was imminent danger, his recital so alarmed Des Farges that he
believed the reports he had heard on his arrival in the capital. So,
instead of marching to glory, his only idea was that of retreat; he
was no longer a warrior ready to encounter danger that his friend
might be saved.
Des Farges, followed the advice of his timorous companions and
returned to Bangkok; but, before his departure, wrote to Faulcon to
justify his retreat. He informed him that, as it was reported that the
King had died, he thought it would be rash to withdraw his troops from
a position on which their safety depended, and that he might be
punished if he were to endanger the lives of the soldiers under his
command without sufficient reason, and that finally he offered him and
his family shelter in a place that the French had resolved to defend
to the last.
The friends of the fallen minister slandered the Bishop of
Métellopolis and the missionaries. They blamed them for the disgrace
of the French retreat. The chief authors of this calumny were those
who were obliged to refute it. Jealous of the esteem in which this
prelate was held and because he was not ambitious, they strove to
decry the missionaries, so as to gain all the consideration they
enjoyed, and to raise themselves on their ruin. But the defence of the
prelate was an easy matter. Ought he to have concealed a danger which
was imminent? Had the troops been cut to pieces, with what horror
would not Europe have learnt that a French Bishop, misled by
overconfidence, had kept silence about what ought to have been
revealed. Would he not have been rightly considered the author of a
massacre of his fellow-citizens? Duty obliged him to reveal the
reasons of his fear. It was for the commander to reject or to follow
his advice. But it is certain that had he marched to Louvo he would
have failed in the first of his duties, namely to remain on guard at
his post.
Faulcon left to the mercy of his enemies, complained bitterly that the
French had deserted him, and on hearing the news, exclaimed. "Alas
they do not consider that they themselves will be involved in my
downfall," and turning to his retinue, asked them to follow him to the
church saying "I was wrong to trust to human aid, I wait for God only.
There is His House, He alone can suffice to protect and defend me."
He positively refused to accept the commander's offer of shelter, as
it would have justified the slanderous reports that he had handed over
the place to foreigners so as to arrange for a place of safety in time
of danger.
Instead of flight, he preferred to reveal part of the danger which
threatened the State to the King. The remedy lay in the choice of a
successor who could subdue the disaffected. The Prince proclaimed his
daughter as Queen and allowed her to select whichever of her uncles
she might prefer as her husband.
So feeble a measure was not sufficient to remove the cause of the
disaffection rife everywhere. Factions increased, and the ringleaders
were only waiting a favourable opportunity to break out in open
revolution. The policy pursued by the conspirators towards Faulcon,
lulled him to a sense of false security. He still perceived the
danger, but he thought it had been relegated to the future. He sought
the King and said "Sire, the time for repining and speech is over. We
must act, and that silently."
"Decisive measures must be taken against the impending evils, and a
half hearted policy will only favour the progress of their designs. If
Pitracha be arrested, the conspiracy will come to naught. Remember
that the greatest secrecy is absolutely necessary to the success of
this enterprise, and, to be successful, we must dissemble our
feelings." The King understood the importance of this advice, but
weakened by illness was unable to keep the matter secret, and he could
not resist the temptation of breaking out into threats and reproaches.
Pitracha's suspicions were aroused mid he anticipated matters. He
assembled his retainers and pointed out the serious nature of the
situation. Without delay they marched on the Palace and possessed
themselves of the King. Faulcon, alarmed at this sudden turn of
events, would not follow the advice of his friends who desired him to
remain at home to await the upshot of affairs. His impolitic
attachment to the King was the cause of his downfall, and believing
that inaction would be detrimental to the favours he enjoyed, followed
the promptings of courage and duty.
He went to the Palace accompanied by Beauchamp, Fretteville,
Vaudrille, Laise and the Chevalier des Farges, all of whom were French
officers. He was followed by two Portuguese and sixteen Englishmen who
were in his pay as guards. He took his departure and said to his wife
"Farewell for ever, madame. The King is a prisoner, and I am going to
die at his feet."
His zeal and courage buoyed him up in the hope that with this little
band, he could force his way to the room of his master, but no sooner
had he entered the outer courtyard of the palace, than Pitracha at the
head of a Siamese force arrested him on the charge of high treason.
His first thought was to defend himself but on seeing that his guards
had basely deserted him, saw that resistance was useless. The French
officers however justified the confidence he had in their courage, and
alone, they thought they could scatter the armed mob, but Faulcon
exhorted them to give up their swords and they were led off to the
common prison under pretext of rescuing them from the fury of the
crowd.
Pitracha, now absolute master of the King's fate left him the empty
title of King with the shadow of power, and to render the fact of his
usurpation less objectionable, merely took the title of chief minister
of State.
All submitted to him. The priests whom he had deceived by his
hypocrisy, belauded him as the defender of their faith. The officials
regarded him as the liberator of their country from the oppression of
the foreigner. The populace, were foolish enough to imagine that a
change of masters, would be the prelude to a happier condition of
existance.
The usurper, now assured of the support of the whole nation, saw that
the French were the sole obstacles in his path. To him they seemed
invincible, as they possessed the two strongest positions in the
Kingdom. He sent for M. de Métellopolis, who fearing punishment for
having advised Des Farges, excused his attendance on the ground of
ill-health.
M. de Lionne, Bishop of Rosalie, however acted as his substitute.
Pitracha insolently addressed him in these words.
"It is with the greatest disgust that I learn that the French troops
who come to Siam to serve the King, refuse to obey his commands. I
order you to write to their commander to enforce their obedience.
Should he persist in his contumacious behavior you shall suffer for
it, I will give your Seminary and Church over to pillage, all the
French shall be blown from the cannon's mouth, and every Christian
shall be put to death."
M. de Rosalie replied that although he had no authority over the
French commander, he would endeavour to arrange matters that Des
Farges should come to Louvo in person. This offer was accepted, and
the prelate accompanied by two officials who had been members of the
embassy to France, set out for Bangkok.
Des Farges, on learning the nature of the mission at first was
uncertain as to how he should act. At last he decided to set out and
to follow M. de Rosalie and the two officials with one of his sons,
the other being detained as a prisoner in Bangkok.
Pitracha haughtily reproached him with his refusal to bring up the
troops that the King impatiently demanded. He threatened to employ
force if his demands were not complied with and informed him that ten
positions as strong as Bangkok would be but feeble ramparts against
the vengeance he premeditated.
Des Farges replied with the greatest moderation to these threats and
having waited till Pitracha had exhausted the exuberence of his
verbosity, said "The King my master sent me here in command of troops
at the bidding of the King of Siam his ally only, but since these
troops cause trouble, kindly order that ships may be furnished us or
grant us permission to equip the same. The speed with which we shall
hasten our departure, shall leave no doubt of the good will of the
King my master." This proposal was rejected and Pitracha sharply
ordered him to write to his lieutenant to bring up the troops.
The commander replied that as he was not at his post, he no longer had
the authority, and that the only way to ensure the obedience of the
garrison would be to allow him to return to Bangkok. He promised to do
his utmost to persuade them to obey his wishes, and in addition,
offered to give his children as hostages for his word. Pitracha gave
his consent. But on the return of Des Farges to the fort, the officers
and soldiers swore they would leave it only to return to their native
land. Pitracha, hearing of their determination advanced with an army.
The French evacuated the fort they had occupied opposite to Bangkok,
and the Siamese taking possession of it commenced hostilities. De
Bruant and Beauregard, who were in command at Mergni, fearing that
they would shortly be attacked made ready tor a vigorous defence. They
were not about to fight for mere glory, a more powerful incentive
fired their hearts. It was a case of life and death itself. The
Siamese ordered them to capitulate, but were repulsed with severe
loss, and, the conquerors having seized one of their vessels as well
as an English ship then in harbour, embarked and set sail for
Pondicherry where they landed without further mishap.
The French, shut up in Bangkok were a source of annoyance to the
usurper who was sure that M. de Métellopolis would have had more
influence over them than M. de Rosalie. He ordered the former to be
conducted to Bangkok by an escort of "Tattoed Arms" who are the
bailiffs arid minions of the law. The servants of the prelate were the
victims of innumerable insults from these officials who are as
cowardly as they are insolent. They were pilloried, bound, and half
strangled and exposed almost naked to the burning rays of the sun, to
the importunities of insects, and to the extremes of hunger and
thirst. The Bishop and M. Basset a missionary were equally targets for
their witticisms. The bulk of their clothes were taken away and even
their hats. This was but the commencement of the cruelties practised
then in the fort opposite to Bangkok. The officer in charge exposed
them on a bastion in range of the French artillery which did not cease
fire until the victims had been recognised.
The stubborn resistance of the French modified the hostile disposition
of the Siamese. Pitracha who on the death of the King had succeeded to
the throne, thought he ought to get rid of guests too warlike not to
be a subject of dread. He resolved that they should take ship for
Pondicherry on condition that the Bishop and the Missionaries would
engage on peril of their lives that the ships and sailors with which
they would be furnished, should be returned. While the new King was
negociating with the French, his heart, a prey to the anxieties and
suspicions which are the first punishments that crime brings in its
train, thirsted for the blood of his enemies.
Faulcon who formerly been an object of fear to him was singled out for
his first act of vengeance. As soon as the tyrant had him in is power,
he caused him to be led in triumph on the walls of the palace.
This favourite of fortune, now fallen into the deepest disgrace, was
cast into a filthy dungeon to which admission was refused to everyone.
Some say that the head of Monpit was fastened to his neck as a
punishment for his complicity. In addition the soles of his feet were
burnt, and his head was placed in a vice in order to make him
acknowledge crimes he had never committed. This man, formerly the
centre of an admiring throng was now guarded in a narrow prison by
barbarous gaolers who kept at a distance those who might have procured
some respite for him.
His wife however discovered the place of his confinement and she
obtained permission to supply him with a few necessaries.
The usurper, who still retained a trace of humanity had restored to
her son whom the soldiers had carried off; but this was only a passing
favour, the natural ferocity of the tyrant softened but for a moment.
She was suspected of having concealed immense wealth, and that was
quite sufficient cause for her to be treated as a criminal. Her
weapons, documents and even her clothes were taken away; a guard was
posted in front of her house and a sentry at the door of her room. The
brutal soldiers who watched all her actions caused her to complain
bitterly. "Well" she remarked "What have I done to be thus treated
like a felon." But ashamed of her weakness she rose superior to fear
and misfortune. She had need of all her fortitude and contempt for
earthly possessions. Two days afterwards an armed force seized the
furniture, money and jewels which the palace contained. Unmindful of
the loss of so much property she cried out. "At last God alone remains
for us and no one can take Him from us."
The insatiable spoilers suspected that she had hidden the bulk of her
wealth and their pitiless leader threatened her with death. He ordered
two executioners to come forward and at a signal, they struck her on
the arms without regard for the weakness of her sex. Her grandfather
and son witnessed her sufferings and showed their sympathy by cries
and tears. All the servants who had chosen to share their sorrows were
punished for showing their sympathetic attitude.
The wretched family knelt at the feet of the official, who, enraged at
not being able to find a new victim, ordered the executioners to
redouble their blows. "Alas" cried the wretched woman covered with
blood, "have mercy on me or at least take me away that my relations
see not my sufferings."
These words coming from a woman aged twenty-two years who was both
beautiful and of a noble disposition made not the slightest impression
on the official. He ordered her to be taken away together with her son
and her slaves and only set her grandfather free on account of his age
and infirmities.
For a long time no one knew where she had been imprisoned. A
missionary, passing by the palace stables saw her aunt who had been
confined with her. With difficulty he obtained permission to see her
for a moment. He found her in a dismal dungeon, stretched on a mat
with her unhappy and innocent son by her side whose lamentations
seemed to reproach her for having brought him into the world to
suffer.
This woman, brought up in luxury and splendour, bore her hard fate as
if she had been born to it. She displayed that serenity of mind which
is a sure indication of a calm and pure soul and she appeared more at
peace in her gloomy prison than she had been amid the gaieties of the
palace.
For some time they respected the life of Faulcon since he was under
the protection of the King of France and they feared to incur the
vengeance of the French troops. But the usurper on seeing how little
interest the French took in their old protector, considered that now
was a chance to get rid with impunity of an enemy who though even in
irons appeared formidable. Sentence of death was pronounced against
him on the charge of high treason, a crime on which those in authority
are wont to arraign fallen ministers. He was punished for having
introduced foreigners, whom he wished to use as a means of self
aggrandisement and for the furtherance of his ambitious designs in the
kingdom. At dusk he was taken from his prison and went by elephant to
a forest near Louvo to receive the fatal stroke. It seems that his
barbarous enemy had chosen the silent forest for the execution ground
as if he wished to bury the horror of his unjust revenge in eternal
silence.
Faulcon's countenence was pale, but this was caused rather by the
sufferings he had undergone in prison than the fear of the death which
was about to end them. His glance was fixed and he uttered no groan or
complaint; he seemed lost in communion with the God he was so shortly
to meet.
Having arrived at the spot where he was to meet his doom, he saw the
son of the tyrant who was in charge of the execution. He turned
towards him, not to implore mercy but to ask for time to make his
peace with the Judge before Whom he was so soon to appear.
The soldiers seemed distressed to see one before whom the people and
the nobility but so recently had bowed down, now brought to so
pitiable a condition. Having finished his prayer, he protested that he
was innocent, but that in dying guiltless, he had at least the
consolation of being able to expiate, by a painful death, the
weaknesses and follies of a life devoted to the pursuit of fruitless
ambition.
He added that during the whole course of his tenure of office, the
only motives by which his policy had been directed, were the glory of
the true God, the service of his King, and the interests of the State.
After this protest he spoke a second time to the young official in
these words, rendered more pathetic by their eloquent grief rather
than by any devices of art.
"I am about to die. Remember that even if I am guilty, I leave a wife
and child who are innocent. For them I ask neither rank nor wealth,
but at least let them enjoy freedom and life."
Having said these words he remained silent and at a signal, the
executioner cut him down with a blow of his sword.
He fell with a sigh, the last he ever uttered.
So died at the age of forty one years, a man who had risen from the
petty details of a counting house to the most prominent position in a
great Empire.
His skill in politics justified his master's choice and he would have
been numbered among the greatest public men of his day had his end
been as brilliant as his beginning.
If his sagacity had been led astray it is not certain whether that he
feared that, being a stranger, his most disinterested actions would
have been objects of suspicion. Cautious and circumspect as he was he
did not fully grasp the situation of present affairs, as his mind
dwelt more upon eventualities. His virtues were marred by several
faults; passionate and easily moved to anger, he would lose in one
day, the fruits of the work of several years. A man of great ambition,
he showed all the pettiness of vain-glory.
The magnificence in which he lived was a almost an insult to the
poverty-stricken nation whom it was thought he had plundered. The
produce of every province appeared at his table and four hundred
slaves hastened to serve him, to obey the wishes of his guests and to
make parade of his opulence. Generous to a fault, he spent upwards of
100,000 crowns on gifts during the space of 3 years. His policy
betrayed by the wishes of the moment, blinded him to the fact that
bounties of this kind are more apt to give rise to suspicion than to
cause happiness. After his conversion to the Roman faith he submitted
to all its dogmas and practiced all its precepts and although a public
man, he believed he could not dispense with the obligations binding on
private individuals.
His wife, still languishing in prison, forgot her own sufferings in
lamenting the demise of her husband. "Well" she exclaimed "Why is he
dead? What was his crime that he should have been treated like a
felon." An official, a relative of Pitracha's who was standing near
her whispered that his crimes had been the favour he had enjoyed, and
his natural abilities.
Shortly after this, she and her son were condemned to the humiliation
of slavery and she was set free that she might perform her duties.
The death of the King and his brothers had happened prior to the
execution of Faulcon.
It was rumoured by some that the King had been poisoned, while others
averred that the weariness of captivity was the cause of his death.
Pitracha, who held the fate of his master in his hands, and seeing
that the King was on the point of death, thought it politic to compass
the destruction of the King's brothers who might have put difficulties
in the way of his succession.
He caused them to be put into velvet bags and handed them over to the
executioners who beat them to death with clubs of sandalwood.
This method of death which had no disgrace attached to it, was
reserved for Princes of the blood-royal.
The King shortly followed his brothers to the grave. This Prince, who
had been so ardent a partisan of the French, has been depicted by them
in glowing colours.
Though naturally of a warlike disposition, but a true friend of his
people, he preferred to adopt a policy of pacification rather than to
follow his inclinations which would have caused public misfortunes.
Though keeping his high spirit under control, he was none the less
formidable to his neighbours who preferred to have him for an ally
rather than for an enemy. As a monarch who took deep interest in all
affairs of State, he allowed himself but little leisure; and his sole
relaxation was the chase, the usual pastime of active persons and
sometimes also of those weighed down by anxieties.
He showed an appreciation of science and art, several foreigners had
been called in to be his instructors and had the soil been good, the
harvest would have been fruitful.
He left a daughter aged twenty eight years who had been proclaimed
Queen during her father's lifetime, she had her own territories and
officers and soldiers who were subject to her only.
Every day she gave audience to the wives of the officials, and seated
on a throne she received the homage of these women who crouching on
the ground with bent heads adopted the same posture as did their
husbands when in presence of the King.
She was severe, almost ferocious and seemed made rather to rule wild
beasts than to govern men.