The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-10-08

the platform. The piece of narrow silver
cloth already mentioned was attached to
the urn and extended to the floor, and
then out of the east and west wings of the
building to the steps, where the end rested
on pile of sacred books High above
the urn was suspended golden canopy,
of that peculiar form for which the Siam
ese are celebrated. Around and under
the canopy. were hung beautiful white,
fragrant flowers, arranged in the form of
chandeliers. Many real chandeliers were
also suspended about the building, that it
might be brilliantly lighted up at night.
There were side lamps as well; and on the
walls brackets and pictures, and many
texts and proverbs ia Siamese, embroider-
ed with black, on white silk and satin.
These all looked very pretty in scroll work
frames. Priests came from all parts of
the kingdom to chant prayers and recite
moral lessons, and to have share in the
gifts.
Ii used to be the custom for all the
mourners to dress in white and have their
heads shaved; but at this time there were
many who wore black, and did not shave.
Others wore white with band of black
at the sleeve.
When the time came for iguiting the
fire, the outer golden urn was removed,
leaving the copper enc. This was covered
by delicate, beautiful one, made of san
dalwoOd, in sort of open wicker work.
Spices and fragrant flowers were strswG
about the urn. All valuable and precious
articles we're removed from the platform;
this was also lowered several feet to make
it more convenient. The sandal wood was
arranged under the CRATE Of the urn, and
fragrant powders were poured among the
sticks. A gunpowder train was laid from
the urn 10 where the King sat. All being
now ready, the King igoited the train,
and soon the wood was all ablaze. The
chief princes and mobiles we're standing
near with lighted wax candles in their
hands. Each in turn stepped up and
placed them upon the pyre.
Tubs Of water were provided and men
with dippers ready to prevent the flames
from rising too high and consuming the
building. Nothing is consumed, however,
bat the sandal wood and the corpse which
is in the urO.
When the wood was fred, the band
struck up funeral dirge, and the women
commenced wailing. The corpse was
burned the eighth day Of the ceremonies,
but these were continued for four days
after the burning. The charred bones
still remaining were collected, put in
small golden urn, aud kept by the family.
The present Kiag has the bones Of his an
eestors for many generations back pre-
served 10 this manner, aud during one
Of the days Of the present cremation
these bones we're brought out in process
sion; also reputed tooth Of Buddha.
The ashes were also collected after the
burning, aud the next morning | saw the
procession Of gayly deeked boats which
bore them dOwa the Fiser TO scatter them
over the water before 4 certain temple.
The cremation vas a grand affair. The
Kiag oaidid himself in lavish display aud
distribution Of costly gifts. Some of the
Americans who were there say that the
buildings, aud the general display aud ar.
rangement Of things reminded them more
Of 4 section Of the Centennial than any.
thing else they had seen. There were
rooms filed with gifts for the priests
bottles, lamps, clocks, tables, chairs, writ
Ing desks, japanese aud Chinese cabinets,
tea sets, trays, boxes, fans, priesily robes,
shoes, mats, umbrellas, ieaPoss, lanterns,
aud glasses, bags and iron basins for hold
ing the rice aud fruit they beg from
morning TO morning, We laughed as we
noticed among the gifts patent oil stoves
from America. The manufacturers little
dreamed they would ever be used ia ST.
amesc Buddhist moaasteFies 10 make tea
for the priests.
The gifts for foreigners also we're Of al
most infinite variety and style, aud most
Of them costly. DO not think Bangkok
has ever witnessed such display before,
aud hope she never will again. The
kingdom cannot afford such costly crema-
tions. The present one is estimated to
have cost from $4,000 to sl00, 600.