Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-31
NUMBER 35.
CREMATION IN SIAM.

The practice Of burning the bodies
of the dead is retained in Siam in full
force to the present day, among all
the principal families. The ceremo-
ny is magnificent enough, but fear
fully expensive, and it's continuance
is an intolerable burden, but no one
dares to drop it because it is "the
old custom" The Bankok Recorder
of September Goth, contains descrip-
tions of the burning on that day OF
two Siames mobiles, one brother Of the
Prime Minister Of the kingdom who
died few weeks later During all
the intervening time, the bodies had
laid in state in their respective
homes. The whole period had been
occupied in costly preparations for
the ceremony. On a platform about
eight feet from the ground had been
erected a pyramid sixteen feet high,
surmounted by a splendid urn highly
ornamented and gilt. Over thia was
an immense and lofty white canopy,
open at the four sides. The whole
was profusely decorated with flowers
and fancy articles.
On the day of the funeral the pyra-
mid was chiefly removed, and pile
of firewood built in its place, ON which
the bodies were placed The account
proceeds
Within its enclosure on two sides
of the dome were seated priests, prin-
ces, noblemeD, &c. On another side
were the female mourners and friends,
together with nearly all the Europe
an ladies residing within the city
On the fourth side where His Majesty
was to approach the dome, were the
European gentlemen comprising mar
iners, merchants, consuls, clergymen,
&c. Without the enclosure on all
sides were vast multitudes Of both
sexes and Of all classes.
"The hour of five o'clock had now
arrived, which was the time appoint
ed for the ignition of the funeral pile
Presently the royal heralds announc-
ed the approach Of the king by their
trumpets and conch-shells. All eyes
were consequently turned to the
quarter at which his majesty vas to
enter, and a few strains Of God Save
the King from the brass band, intro
duced him very quietly into the pres
ence of the dead, where he seated
himself with large number of child
ren, before ten or a dozen Buddhist
priests, arranged in line, sitting on
carpet. These went through GER
tain rehearsaIs and incantations for
the dead, bearly audible, but not to
be understood, while His Majesty
poured sacred water from a little tea
pot into basin, it being symbol of
blessings craved for the departed
spirits, as we'll as for all the remain
ing friends.
"The screen which had hidden the
dismantling and humiliation of the
bodies ON the wood was now drawn
aside. His Majesty then snapped an
instrument peculiar to the Siamese,
which ignited little powder, and
this tape, while the King, having
ascended the steps, applied TO the fu-
neral pile. Immediately the nearest
mourners stepped up and placed each
his wax candle and sandal sticks un-
der the wood and then the princes
and lords in rapid succession did the
same, until all order of rank was lost
in the desire to manifest the same re-
spect for the dead before the flames
should become too hot to admit Of ap-
proach. The fire increased with un-
usual rapidity
There was no outburst of grief,
but manifestIy silent, solemn weep
ing among some Of the mourners. We
could not bat weep with them when
we considered that they were weep
ing without one ray of the glorious
hopes which the gospel affords to
them who believe in Him who is the
resurrection and the life"