The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-23

gentle, modest and pleasing. l cannot Gnu
rem Of n King Of Siam IL not the collection Of
volupiuury. but u Btnte institution, ilnking tne
onnr;h IVY nTymS c mn oI ,h w ,por rT prow
ncnt OF them generals. prrscnunF one daugh-
ter. Many OF these ladies nre thus wives Of tue
King only in name. dignity, aud duty. Ihry
draw their yearly snluries md month w allow
Hnccs. and attend the King daily Tor three
hours hut in most cuses that is all. When they
grow tired OF such a dignined though duh mode
of life they nsk leave TO rciire from the palnco
nnd seek husband els'whefe' the pcrmlsslOh
being scarcely ever refused, . =,
Whom tho Princess reached the wall whero
the King WIS ht rose TO receive her. she uih
homage 10y raising her hands above her head.
Men with long French horns and other trumprts
made shrill. Wild music. the throne was raised
little, and the King ltited h.r from H. 9, t
whole escort now made three bows win mlllury
precision. and then King and Princes pnssed
royal family the second King. and some OF the
Ministers followed them into tne hhll' tne as
semllcd bishops chnntsd Tor about nm hohr;
and then the Princess left in procession ~ sho
had come. tho King following. but stopping. as
he reached the foreign pavilion. e. exchange n
few words with the Consul o. Germany On
the next day the Consul OF the United States was
hOnored with tho same compliment Tnrse
PROFESSIONS went on for three successive AFTER
On tho fourth and grcnt day the ceremony
commenced soon alter dnybreak. in nccordnnce
with the mandate OF the royal astroloRers. lhe
Princess arrived n procession rs before uo-
scribed. and WIS led into the great nan 70 DC
shaved. Her hair already arranged in three
tufts, was solemnly cut of by three great
princes with scissors. and then shaved with
gold. silver. md steel razora, me chhdio OF
victory WIS extnguishcd. Then, still Glad in
white. she was carried In procession to the loot
of Krailnt. and seated on a marble bench IN u
pool representing the holy lake. whose waters
horse. a iuii. and O Hon. Tho pretty swini
began TO shiver. Tho king took five jars Of
gold. silver. brass bronzs and stone and poured
cried amid her glOries with cold. After the
KING tho greatest princes. princcsses. and
noblemcn successfully poured water over her
with Irritating deliberations and for about half
IN hour she Ind to endure this trying rite;
Then she retired TO q curtninrd pavilion anu
was dressed IN MAGNIFICENT royal robes.
The Prime Minister anu Minister Tor Foreign
Affairs. gorgcousy clad ns angels escorted her
up the mountain. ind nj tho top she WIS re-
csived toy the Celestial Prince. uncle Of tho
King rs Nishuu. The King also ascen1 led, In
the Palace of Nshnu she was invested with a
royal crown. received the blessing OF the gods,
and then descended in full royal state. covered
with Jewels, and was cnrrici in procession
thrice round the mountain. with her right hand
next it, This was the Taksin ceremony.
the ancient mode OF showing respect 10
teachers. and now performed in honor OF
suddenly became dazzlingly gay and brill
liant, the angels almost miraculously chang
ing their color. They arrived in white. but dt-
rcfy the tonsure was completed MI changeu
To pink or rose tints The ladies' OF tho palace
now showed gold and colored scarves instead
Of silver. and coored sar9ngs in place OF white
The change Of color signihed the joyous change
OF state. The white robes Ot the candidate were
excnanged for the golden pomp and rich np-
pare OF royalty; the white vcsture OF the an
gelic throng of her attendants became n JOYOUS
pink. color OF ths love apple. Even the emil
drcn transformed their dress 10 pink coats and
pink stockings and the white band round their
topknuts and coronets was replaced by red
one. The red silk netted robes OF the archan-
gels. covered with gold embroidery. appeared
truly splendid.
In tho afternoon she was again brought In
process ION TO henr "A religious service, but now
the Buddhist monks and abhots ceased 10 par
ticipate in the ceremony. The Great Throne
day there WIS n ceremony OF passing flame
round the Princess. the rite OF Wten-Tien.
turning the Candles" In the centre OF the
han, the plan OF which IT, n cross OF equal arms.
on throne Of mother-of- pearl the Princess sat
crowned. fncing two pyramids formed each OF
several gold vases OF gradually diminishing
size. standing ono In the other. so ms 10 rise in
tiers Behind them stood the two Chief Brain
mans. with fifteen large wax candles fixed on
crystal, gold. and silver stands or handles.
The Brahmans lit the candles and passed them
one by one 10 the ex-Regent. who. with n wave
Of his hand guided the scented flame toward
the Princess. and Immediately passed the can
die on. so the fifteen candles were passed on
from hand 10 hand round the vnst hail. each one
max ing the flame momentarily incline toward
the Princess. Five times the candles passed
round the building. and then were handed back
them. blowing the smoke toward the Princess
Then the chief priest handed her food. fresh
coeoanut from the Bai-Si. Of which she ate n
small portion, The King poured on her hands
holy water. which she passed over her head
and so ended the last ceremony in the hall.
For three days Wien-Tien was performed each
afternoon. and then the Soknn ceremony ended.
and pursuits, During the Inst three days pres
ents. mostly In cash flowed in literally TO the
lap OF the almondeyed Siwilai and altogether
she will have accumulated about $50 900. Every
one who gave received some little souvenir in
return from his Majesty.