The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-08 00:00:00

nat.
and once
attendems.o,l_ of the assets
\ hle thr

an Itep,

speedily dispersed, 'Ana P was noticeable that Ae
shocking manner of Ellis's death had the effect of pre-
venting any further exhibition of that unseemly levity
by which the spectators on such occasions top often
seek to prove their indifference to Bcene3 of suffer;ng
and death.
'I.
-SANCTUM OF 13UDIMIA'S TOOTH.
The speci,a IThrreFpomient of th•l Daz7y Telegraph, writing
from Kaiply on Pee. 7. thin Je3erfte,, visit he his 7ieen
permitted to make to the ithrlne of a celebrated Inriian
relic :

"It was my fortune to obtain a second glance at
Buddha's -tooth, under somewhat singular circum-
stances. Some years ago, wheii the funds of the temple
became low, and it wasnecessary to raise money for the
crowd of priests who live in Kandy, the tooth was ex-
posed to the view of pilgrims for three weeks, and a
good round sum was obtained. Those who gave much
,longed-stare, smaller donors were allowed
move on, whilst the rest, whose sufferings
were insignificant, but who were admitted on
the old principle that mony a mickle maks
a muckle, were hurried past. It had been
expected that the tooth would be exhibited
now for a similarly long peried; I and the faith-
ful in the country were gathering up their skirts and
girding themselves for a pilgrimage to Kandy, when
suddenly the Dewee Nelemee, a kind of Dean of the
Temple, issued a notice that the relic would be put
away, and at the same time invited me to witness its
restoration to its place. I had before imagined that
the room to which the Prince of Wales had been ad-
mitted was the ordinary shrine of the relic, and at
first hesitated to obey the summons; but deliberation
resulted in a change of intention, and I repaired to the
temple. To reach the room to which I was told the
relic had been conveyed it was necessary to go to the
Bide of the temple and thence by a narrow and
dimly-lighted stone staircase, jealously guarded
by priests, into a .small square ante-room. As I
entered the door of the apartment I noticed that
it was covered with beaten gold, that the posts were
composed of an outer strip of finely carved wood, then
a strip of ebony, next a strip of carved ivory, and after
that one of embossed silver, the inner stripe of all,
namely, that next the door, being of gold. Passing
under a curtain which was now lifted, I entered the
room and found myself in the company of about twenty
priests, all guarding very jealously the inner apartment
of all. It was clear that I had arrived at the resting.
place of the relic, else what could mean the sliding iron
barred gate, which, being drawn back, showed a golden
door with ornamental posts, exactly like those I have
already mentioned? A heavy curtain, however,
prevented my looking through the doorway, and
three or four stout Cingalese prevented my further
progress. It was possible that I might have to turn
back after all, for the priests gave me looks that could
not be cslled affectionate, and muttered in their un-
pleasant language remarks the reverse of compli-
mentary. I was wondering whether the purchase of a
plateful of flowers which stood on a table would be of
service, whether I should drop some money into an
iron grating close to the door, evidently the receptacle
of offeiings, and so try the effect of benevolence, or
whether I should retreat, when the Dewee Nilereee's
face appeared in the doorway, and I was admitted
into the sacred chamber. The room I was
now in was scarcely more thau seven feet
square and nine high. The ceiling was heavily
hung with what had once been yellow silk,
now discoloured and almost black. The walls
were bare; there were two other eloors—on the
right, and on the left—both fastened, and I could dis-
cover no window and no means of ventilation what-
ever. Facing the door, on the step on which I stood,
was a square iron cage, raised three feet from the
ground and reaching to the ceiling. The floor of the
cage was of beaten silver. In the centre of the floor
was a huge silver-gilt bell-like structure, beautifully
embossed, more than four feet high, and at the base.
nearly three feet in diameter. On a silver table in
front of this cage were all the jewels we had seen exhi.7,
bited on Friday night to the Prince; some half dozen
-,golden pagodas, the receptacles for these treasuree, were
there also, and nine priests were preparing under the
supervision of the Dewee Nilemee, to put all away.
There lay, also, the sacred tooth on the golden lotus
leaf, ready to be placed in the largest pagoda of all.
Eight or ten lighted wax candles, some in stands and
some in the hands of the priests, added to the almost
unbearable beat of the apartment, in which thirteen or
fourteen people were crowded together. With great
ceremony the little golden casket containing the tooth
was closed by the high priest, his brethren of the
golden robe raising their hands in pious attitude the
while. The largest pagoda was then opened, and all
the inner cases I had previously seen were taken out
and opened. One by one they received the relic, only
now each was wrapped in muslin as it was placed in
the next largeet case. There weenaetl occasionally to be
especial care to arrange the muslin in a certain ray.
Everything was clearly done according to rule,
and those shaven yellow-robed priests were de-
termined to do their work well. A curious sight
it was to see them bending over the relic, the gutter-
ing candles in their hands, while the Dewee Nileinee
jealously watched the gradual swathing of the
treasure. Case after case received it, more muslin, was
banded up whenever wanted, till at last it was ready
for the golden pagoda. Then it finally Jisappeared from
view, a golden key was produced, the pagoda was
locked, and for the present placed on one side. I wish'.
I could fully describe that pagoda. It must be of
great value, for it is of pure gold, is very heavy and
nearly two feet high. From the umbrella or topmost
story of the pagoda, hang chains, which support
splendid jewels, catseyes nearly an inch in
diameter, a sapphire quite as large, besides dia-
monds and rubies. But only an actual sketch
in bright colours can convey to the eye an
adequate idea of its beauty. The next treasure
to be similarly wrapped in muslin and put away was
the emerald Buddha, which was also placed in a
pagoda, somewhat smaller though quite as pretty.
There were the anklet and one piece of open gold
filagree work, heavily set with diamonds and other
stones, to go into another pagoda, and then the great
sapphire we saw an evening or two ago. Each
was wrapped up carefully, each hidden under the
closest supervision, and of each due account was taken
by the Dewee Nilercee. At length the twe high•
priests climbed up into the cage, and proceeded to• lift
the top of the bell from its Place. They were strong
men, but the effort needed was a great one, and it was
some little time before the massive piece of gilded silver
was taken up. So soon as it was done, however,
one of the priests knelt, and, handing out some
more muslin, produced at length a silver botree, a
bag full of little golden images of Buddha, some
chains, studs, and, in fact, about as miscellaneous a
collection of jewellery as you would find in a West end
, shop. Out it came by handfuls, to be counted by the
Dewee Nilemee, and given into the custody of the
priests, who placed the articles in the remaining
pagodas. But an end will come to the production of
treasures, be they never so many, and an end came to
these; the pagodas were full, and it now only remained
to wrap them all in thick folds of muslin. This done,
the receptacle of the book was lifted up by the high
priests, a deep obeisance was made, and then it was
placed in the centre bell-shaped case. One after another
the rest of the pagodas were placed round it, the silver
be-tree following last of all; and, when this had been
achieved, and the number duly counted, the priests
lifted the silver top once more, and, with a supreme
effort got it into position. The Dewee Nilemee with
evident pride, produced a large gold key, and locked
the huge casket. This was not all, however. A band
of thin iron was now brought, and entwined round the
bell in such a way that, with the aid of a small pad-
lock which VMS attached to it, entrance to the bell was
most effectually prevented; and, the padlock being
fastened, some more muslin was brought, wrappea
over the lock, and sealed with the Dewee Nile-
mee's seal, bearing a golden dodo, and his name
in Cingalese. A gold umbrella from which
chains and jewels hung, was fixed on the top
of the bell, ornamental pieces were added to
it, till at length it stood out in the centre of the cage,
a glittering pagoda, ready for the worship of all who
visit the shrine and are allowed for a consideration tb
peer through the bars at the resting-place of the tooth.
The barred gate having been drawn and fastened by a
key in the custody of one of the high priests, the can-
dles were put out, and we, perspiring and faint,
emerged into the outer room, saw the door locked, the
second grating fastened, and a watch appointed to
guard the treasure. The relic of Buddha had been
safely consigned to its shrine."

lenjoyed pro,
to look and -