This text presents an excellent overview of the topography, economy, peoples, customs, legends and local histories of Northern Thailand in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Consequently, it is immensely valuable to anyone interested in the area and has long been recognized for its merit by scholars. The book, first published in 1890, resulted from Hallet"s thorough fact-finding mission through the region in 1876 when he was searching for the best route for a railway by which British goods could be transported from Burma to Thailand, and more importantly, to China. The information which he carefully compiled makes this book an important reference source even today.