At the head of the Siamese writers of profane history stands, I think, P'hra Alack, or rather Cheing Meing, P'hra Alack being the generic term for all writers. Seri Manthara, celebrated as a military leader, wrote nine books of essays, on subjects relating to agriculture and the arts and sciences. Some of these, translated into the languages of Birmah and Pegu, are still extant.