The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1870-08-09
rDE sIi.uKsE hI.,G.s AIREu.

TBE sE.fHRsR hING,s aERg.u
Most Of the women who composed
bis harem we're Of gentle blood, the
fairest Of the daughters Of the Siamese
mobiles, aud Of princes Of the adjacent
tributary states; the late queen consort
was his own halt.sister. Beside many
choice Chinese and Indian girls, pur-
chased annually Tor the royal harcm BY
agents stationed at Peking, Foo.cbou,
and different points in Bengal, euor-
mons sums were ofierded, year after
year, through solicitors at Bangkok
and Riugapore, for an EngIishwoman
Of beauty and good parantage TO crown
the collection; but when / took my
leave OF Bangkok, in 1868, the coveted
specimen had not yet appeared in the
market The cunning commissioners
contriyed to keep their places and make
a living by sending his majesty, now
and then, a piquant photograph Of some
British Nourmahal Of the period, fresh.
ly caught, aud duly shipped, in good
order for the harem; but the goods
never arrived Had the kings tastes
been Gallo, his requisition might have
been filed. ! remember score of gen
uine offers from French demoiseIles,
who inclosed their cartes ID billets more
surprising and enterprising than any
other proposals it was my office to
translate. But bis whimsical majesty
entertained a lively horror Of French
intrigue, whether Of priests, consuls, or
Tonnes; and stood in yigilant fear Of
being beguiled, through one Of these
adventurous serins, into fathering the
Iinnoyention Of a Franco Siamese heir
to the throne ofthe celestial Phrabatts
The king, as well as most of the prin-
cipal members Of his household, rose at
in the morning, and Immediately par
took Of a slight repast, served by the
ladies who had been in waiting through
the night; after which, attended BY
them aud bis sisters and elder children
he descended and took his station on a
long strip Of mating, laid from one Of
the gates through all the avenues to
another On his majestys loft were
ranged, first his children in the order
Of rank; then the prncesses, his sis
ters; and lastly his concubines, his
maids Of honor, and their slaves. Be.
fore each was placed large silver tray
containing offerings Of boiled rice, fruit
cakes, and the seri leaf; some even had
cigars.
4 little after 8, the Patoon Dharmina
Gate Of Merit, called by the populace
Pantoo Boon Was thrown open and
the amazons Of the guard drawn up on
either side. Then the priests entered,
always by the gate, one hundred and
ninety-nine Of them, escorted on the
right and left by men armed with
swords and clubs, and as they entered
they chanted Take thy meat but think
it dust Eat but to live, and but To
know thyself and what thou art below
And say withai unto thy heart, It's
earth | eat, that TO the earth new life
impart. Then the ehIefprest who led
the procession, advanced with down.
cast eyes aud lowly mien, and very
simply presented lis bowl slang from
his neck by a cord, aud until that mo
ment quite hidden under the folds oi
his yellow robe to tho members Of the
royal household, who offered their fruit
or cakes, OF their spoons full of rice or
sweetmeats In like manner did all bis
brethren If by any chance, one be-
fore whom a tray was placed was not
ready and waiting with an offering, no
priest stopped, but all continued 10 ad.
vance slowly, taking only what was
freely offered, without thanks or even a
look Of acknowledgment, until the end
Of the royal train was reached, when
the procession retired, chanting as be-
fore, by the gate called DUN, OF. IN the
court language, Prithri, Gate of Earth.
After this, the king and all his CON.
pany repaired TO bis private temple.
dedicated 70 bis mother This il al
ediaee oi unique and charming beatty,
decorated throughout by artists from
japan, who have represented on the
vail, designs a. divers aud Ingenious
as they are costly the numerous met