Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-12-23
The First Christmas Celebration in
Siam

Inc royal priest was over forty when
L first met him-tall and slender in per-
son, with pale, intellectual counte-
nance, and quiet, rather recticent man
ners. His brother, ten years younger,
was not quite SO tall, but extremely well
and strongly built, with much more VI
vac1ty OF disposition, and great versatil-
lty OF talent. Both were frequent visit
ors at the houses of all the American
residents, both before and after these
princes came to the throne; and we all
gladly gave them such instruction as we
were able, talking over with them things
they did not understand, and giving
them general principles, which, with
astonishing readiness they applied to
practice. They frequently wore the
European costume, and were fond of
adopting our customs, even in matters
OF comparatively small import. For in
stance, about ayear before the usurper's
death, the younger brother was dining
at our house, and seemed
highly delighted with two paint
lngs representing Christmas sports
one a tree with its tiny tapers all
aglew, and every branch freighted with
the gifts OF the season; the other the
inner view of a dining hall, with it's
blazing fires and arches of evergreen.
and table filled with Christmas luxuries.
The Prince took the pictures from the
hands of his little sons, to whom had
| been showing them, and after vainly
trying to deci pher their mysteries.
turned to me for explanation. This I
had no sooner done than he exclaimed
excitedly, "Why can't we have Christ
mas, too? When is the time for
it? Wouldn't it be splendid to keep
Christmas at Bangkok in my palace,
and. have all the Americans and English
present. Come, promise me that you
will be major domo, and give all the
orders [ will see that everything is
done just right; and we'll have grand
time. The first Christmas ever cele-
brated in Bang kok Say yes, won't
you?" And SO he talked on eagerly.
while [ was canvassing mentally the
pros and cons of the case, and the pos
s1blllty OF getting up Christmas fete
that would be at all worthy of the
name.
[ consented at last to do my best, and
my noble friend took his leave almost
beside himself with joy. When the
time came I spent two or three DAYS at
the palace decorating the rooms, and
making or rather experimenting the
arrangements for the festival; for there
were scores of skillful servants in at
tendance, and the Prince himself always
at my elbow, ready with his rare taste
either to devise Or execute. The sazze-a-
manager, was an elegantly frescoed saloon,
sixty feet in length, hung with long
French mirrors and fine paintings, and
lighted by three massive chandeliers.
Over the table waved the British and
American flags, one at each end, and
the Siamese royal banner in the mid
die, while between we're lofty arches of
evergreen, The dinner and deserts
were the work of hundred royal cooks,
and III variety and abundance defy de-
scrlptlon. There were more dainties
than the entire court ought to have con-
sumed in month: and had the prince
ley host expected hundred
or two for each of the thirty
guests invited, the provisions would
have been ample. His Royal Highness,
who was the only native present, wore
on the occasion dark blue, full dress,
naval uniform, with epaulettes and but
tons Of gold, and sat at the head of his
table, with an American lady at his
side, with his characteristic grace
Everything went off admirably, and I
never attended more genial Or enjoy
able feast.-7he GALAXY.
No. Is.
Among those who went down to San
Francisco from Sacramento, says The
Union, to attend the race, was Dave d.
It was with great difficulty that he o.
crowded, but finally he secured one in
an establishment on Third street, and
then went with some other Sacramentans
to the theatre, &C., re urning to the
hotel at a pretty late hour. Ascending
to his room, he opened the door and
entered, but to his surprise found a
woman III possession before him. She
didn't seem to be very much pleased,
jndging from the manner in which she
yelled "Murder Police! Land
lor-r-r-d p &c. Dave endeavored to ex-
plain, but she didn't want any explana-
ton, and PERSISTED in calling vigorous
", T" Landlord, there's man in my
room Help! Murder p Occupants
OF other rooms began to make their APP
pearance, and Dave, not relishing the
Idea OF answering too many questions,
rushed to the Office of the hotel, and in
language more emphatic than polite, In
CURED of the clerk what in San Francisco
he meant by putting another person in
his room. The clerk, who was of the
Teutonic persuasion, responded that he
had not done so, and inquired what
room was meant. "Weat room |" roar
ed Dave; ''why, No. 16, that engaged
hours ago, and where there's a woman
charging around as wild as lunatic."
"Oh 7, calculated the clerk, explana-
tory, der is four No. 16's in dis house.
FabulOusly Rich Ore Reported to be
Worked in Colorado.