Eighth Tale
Of Chaophraya Aphairacha (Rolin-Jaequemyns)
When the prince Kromphraya Thewawongwaropakan[1] was in the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, during which he still held the title of Krommamuen, we first got Mr Henry Alabaster,[2] a former English government official who resigned from office to work with the Thai Government, to serve as an advisor in international law for years. Upon the passing of Mr Alabaster, the prince opined that having a Westerner well-versed in international law as an advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was truly beneficial and wished to have someone replace Mr Alabaster. When the prince’s private physician, Dr Gowan,[3] went on temporary leave to Europe, he was ordered by the prince to also find an international law expert for him. Dr Gowan got an English barrister named Mr Mitchell[4] to serve as a legal advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But Mr Mitchell was liked by none on account of his aggressive disposition. Even Kromphraya Thewawong himself liked him not. When I went out to Europe in 2434 BE,[5] Mr Mitchell was still in employment. Once I arrived in London and took up residency at the Thai embassy, I got the news of Mr Mitchell resigning from service, which did not surprise me a bit. But I thought of Kromphraya Thewawong, thinking that he would have a hard time finding a new advisor, and I realised that
- ↑ Prince Thewan-u-thaiwong. (Wikisource contributor note)
- ↑ Henry Alabaster. (Wikisource contributor note)
- ↑ Peter Gowan. (Wikisource contributor note)
- ↑ Possibly Alfred Mitchell-Innes. (Wikisource contributor note)
- ↑ The year 2434 Buddhist Era fell between 1891 and 1892 Common Era. Prince Damrong left Siam for Europe on 25 July 2434 BE (1891 CE). (Wikisource contributor note)
