The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-07-27
Burning a Dead King.

SINGULAR CEREMONY IN sIAM-.coRrsE
OF THE LATE MONARCH REDUCED TO
ASHES IN pnEsENcE OF TIE COURT.
The Courier de Saigon contains re-
mort trc m Lieutenant Richter, COM
mander OF the French gunboat Coul-
euvre, describing the cremation OF the
late King of Siam, to which ceremony
he had been sent to attend offieiafsJ.
After narrating his arrival, he says:
During the afternoon of the 9th OF
March, accompanied 10y the ffehch
Consul and the Chancellor OF the Con
sulate, l visited the Meme, or mont
ment which contained the funerai PIC.
This construction was raised Ill thrso
months, the entire population contr1o
uting to the labor, but the pieces OIL
timber which support it were nearly d
year in arriving at Bangkok, ana were
the tallcst trees in the Kingdom. Inc
edilce was nearly 800 feet hish' anu
covered with gliding; in the center
under the dome, was n raised structure
decorated with gold aud precious
stones, and on which the body was 10
be placed. The monument had four
openings, and at each angie were raised
smaller edificcs. built in the same style
as the Meme, and corresponding Win
the four cardinal points. a covered
gallery around the bnilding served for
the lodgings of the numerous priests
who had come from all parts Tor the
ceremony. The princes and manda-
rims attended daily to hear them per-
form divine service, and make tnein
presents of betclroot, cigars, &c. Inc
| Meme was to be taken down after the
body was burned, but the wood OF
Which it was constructed couid only DO
employed in erecting temples. Ihe
avenues open to the crowd were mark
ed out by tall masts bearing the seven
royal parasols; theaters had been raised
on all sides by the great dignltaries OF
the crown, and public games and spec
) tacles were going on day and night
The King almost every mornn came
out in state and visited the part OF tho
building reserved for the sovereign. "A
line of soldiers surrounded that por-
ton to which only the mandarlns were
, admitted. His Majesty on those occa-
, sions took his seat on lofty throne,
n while near him were ranged the sec
ond King, the Regent and his children,
the princes, mandarins, &c, according
: to their grade. Tho people prostrated
9 themselves on the passages OF tire
King, who threw to them citrons con-
tanning money, the value OF which IN
: creases daily until the accomplishment
Z, of the ceremony. On the 18th the re,
mains of the late King were removed
to the Meme, to remain exposed until
the 18th. On that day all the vessels
I in the harbor had their flags half-mast
= high. A tent for the Europeans inyi-
ted to be present was raised on tho
: way, and in it we were received by the
}, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The march
g was opened by troops, cavalry, artille-
;, ry and infantry; the King followed in
q rich palanquin bareheaded, complete
= w shaved, and in mourning; next came
t successfully the second King and his
o troops, the regent, princes, mobiles
) armed with sabres, elephants and 9TH
Re er animals Enthusiastically caparisoned,
and bearing the ashes of the deceased
r, King: then followed the chief of the
/ BONES, heading his priests, and behind
l. them the funeral car, which was ac-
l. companied by the two younger bro
to theirs of the King placed on less eleva.
is ted carriages; they were magnilicentIy
dressed, and wore on their heads STA
re mcse crowns, to- the top of which ;
h. lband of silk was attached, the othe
ct end being made fast to the golden YES
adj sci containing the deceased King
Sir body. We joined in the procession t.
RS. the Meme, where the religious ceremo
or nv took place, and were afterward
,et invited to a repast served in the Euro
lat pean style; the regent came to us
,c- the close of the entertainment to i'll
sc. yite us to be present at the last part Z
"a the ceremony. The Meme from tina
Isl. moment was accessible to all the Sia
to mese who came to offer their prayer
red before the body. On the 15thsthe Kin
ION sent for us to deliver to us tho usu;
the presents in remembrance OF the occ:
ses sion. Early on the 18th the final pr
variations commenced; the constructs
le.n supporting the pile was temporari
ure stripped of its ornaments; the gOld'
not vessel was changed for one Of copp
ght placed on a grating covered with pc
You fumes. and beneath was placed a he
of fragrant wood eight feet high.
and About 5 in the evening the entire COZ
in many was assembled around, and
n to King set fire to the mass, without les
new ing his throne, by means of q train
her. ing from his feet to the centre of
iself mass. According to tradition, the
d on from heaven which burnt the palace
eye. the Kings grandfather, and which
She been piousiy preserved, was that MS
N lie The people were then allowed to pl
Rage forward and throw on the fire flow
d to of sandal wood which they had broue
new when the flames began to rise high
said nrincesses surrounded the burn
infer mass and uttered lamentations.
ms to time employed for the cremation
t he scarcely an hour, and the fire died
nera- before the bones were entirely redu
will to ashes; those which remained b.
D an deposited in small urn OF gold
Ask with precious stones. The ashes
gathered up on piece OF tine "
), and stuff, which was placed on a go
, out dish and conveyed with great eere
have ny by the princesses in mourning
cause boat, to n consecrated point OF the
nying er, to be thrown into the water. 4
) into the cremation the fetes continued
ssing- three days. and were terminated
ass of the removal of the urn containing
hand relics of the sanctuary of the King
pros Siam Galipnani's Messenger.