Elements of Useful Knowledge Vol. 3 (1806)

Only 12 row description on Laos and published in 1806. Laos was known then as a country between Camboja (Cambodia), Tunkin (Vietnam) and Siam (Thailand) with a river (Mekong?) running through it. Lao were also observed as to be closed to Siamese (present Thai) in terms of religion, but resemble Southern Chinese (meaning fairer skin?) in terms of appearance. Full view on google book at http://books.google.co.jp/books?id=O4tgVvBjhPwC&pg=PA216&dq=Laos&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=1&ei=XAc3SqeXAYzMlQSanoWsBQ

Universal Geography Volume 3 (1822)

Published in 1822 and quite relaxing book to read. I enjoyed the romance of history and exploration spirits of white people, reading this book. Pages 363 to 392 were on countries in Indochinese Penisula including Laos. It showed their limitted, broken knowledges about the region, but at the same time, their determinations to sort things out. Full view on google book at http://books.google.co.jp/books?id=6WQDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA365&dq=Laos&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=1&ei=zxkvSr_nCIjAlQSlo7j8Bg#PPA363,M1