The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-09-30

The grand quadrangle of the Palace of Forty
Towers. enclosed a vast space, a Park of marvel
lous beauty and in the centre Of this Paradise
of Delights, was the marvellous Desa Champaka,
or Hall of the Jessamine Flower. 1t was q cir
cular pavilion, with a rounded roof fifty feet in
width, and ffty feet high. The roof was Of
FURNISHED gold, that shone like another dazzling
sum-, when the morning sun poured forth it's rays
upon its polished surface. This golden roof was
upheld by column OF ivory, that were twisted
and branched like the stems of the exquisite jes-
samine tree, and wondrOus blossoms and leaves of
the champaka jessamine. wrought in gold and
enamel, adorned the ivory stems with marvellous
foliage and blossoms whilst amongst this shrub
berry of exquisite art, were Interspersed curious
birds made of gold and rubies, and golden ser
penis with diamond eyes. In the centre of the
Pavilion, the ky was represented. a blue enamel
vault studded with golden stars and there were
heeey patches of white cloud, from which there
issued from time to time u fine mist or spray ot
delicate perfume that was distilled upon the san
dalwood floor so that those who breathed the
atmosphere within this marvellous pavilion were
filled with a sense of passionate delight. And
this wondrous Hall was set apart for the celebra-
ton Of the marriage of Laksanana and Umba-
When the great day OF the nuptials arrived. a
beautiful divan, or dsIs covered with glossy yell
low satin, and scintillating with he sparkle Of
diamonds. and the irridescent CLEAN eff pearls was
placed in the centre of the Pavilion. The dais
was round or IA circular settee, and a long boil
stcr covered With yellow satin, laid across the
settee divided it into two parts; this dais was
Sc altar for the solemuization Of the nup-
tials OF the priucely ps,r.
After a little while approached a beauteous
trnop of the noble virgins OF the Palace. There
were seventy Eve Princesses come from many
parts of Malaysia and in the centre OF this
Band OF Beauty. walked the lovely Princess
Umba. Size Was rnbed in a gossamer texture OF
white. that seemed like u cloud around her bean
tIiul body and the diamonds interspersed. glIt-
tered like stars between the riffs Of cloud. Bands
of pearls held back her hair from her sweet brow :;
and strinos Of choice pearls, were intertwIned
with. and drnoued with her long flowing hair
Her full round eyes now sparkled with delight +;
her beautiful lace now shone with happiness :.
aud love and delight WAS in every feature. as the
happy Princess was seated upon the Feather
DIvan. and according ~ Malay custom IN mar
riage ceremunies. must be seated with her back
to her Lords; and they TWO must thus rIt. back
to. back, silent. and without speaking IA. or look
ing at each other. from the noon ot the day OF
marriage. until full dark night had come. nn'i
the stars shoue forth. And thus the great aIri
terrible Laksamana sat. and behind him hi-
beautiful and tenderly loved bride
Then the Princes and Processes, aud Noble
and Ladies of the Court approached each one,
and said complimentary words to the seated and
silent pair and at the same time deposited some
rare gift, near them so that before night had
set in, the Chief and his Bride, were literally
eurrOuDueU, Wild a pneu up accumulation u
costly gifts of dirks, or fans OF wonderful work
manship of coronets. bracelets and wreathea of
diamonds and pearls; OF rings made OF diamonds
and pearls alone of waist girdles made OF gold
with a thousand joints and links of butterflies
and flowers and birds, made of pure gold. and
enameled. And many OF the elders and wise
men of the Kingdom, brought copies of histories
and poems Of the Malay people and among the
latter was a copy of the celebrated poem OF the
Bratayuda. or Holy War. Every leaf of the
book, which had five hundred pages. was made
of the skin of an unborn lamb, cut out of its
dam 8 belly. and the letters or characters Of the
ancient script of Java, were made of fine gold.
and wrought into the fine vellum. or lamb-skin
pages. This volume of the famous poem Of the
Malays was worth an immense treasure.
The precious gifts OF all kinds were piled up
around the Chief L~aksamana ana his bride, 81
high that were was formed around them like &
circular wall of glittering and precious presents
so that the noble pair were almost obscured from
obser vation.
Now according to Custom as has boen said the,
must remain still, and without spea Ging a wore
from the noon of the day of the %nuptIsls, until
the sun had set, and the stars had come forth u
in the sky.
This long trial of being seated still and occu
plying one position was rather fatisueink, TO th'
beautiful Princess Umba. Shs had not yet re
covered rom the effects of all her severe trial
and troubles; and SO her lovely face show eC
some signs of pain. yet she was sustained by tn
thought only OF the great triumph OF being united
IN marriage to the heir of the throne of the grea
Kingdom OF Menangkahau.
The whole costume Of the Princess war dazzlia,
with diamonds and pearls bat there was on
diamond that served for a hrh'cir 10 bind tn,
points of her bodice acr,Iss her bp-hm, that wa
then esteemed and it is this day regarded a
the most wonderful diamond IN the World. 1t j
over three hundred eHraIs in weight. and !
valued at many million. oi dnilais. and j
-o- kha rnnaetu - tho Male S,lrnn nG NnfaI
in Borneo. In the ancient day it was the chic
jewel OF Menaugkabau. Ii is AZ large ns Il hen
egg. 1t has many facets or polished surfaces
that dart forth rays of blended colored fires :
Of purple. and azure. and golden hue. Ii il lik
a wonderful star. twinkling and sparkling in tn
clear blue skv. And now az the shades of nigh
approached it shone resplendent ON tie beautiful
bust of the Princess; and as her soft tinte'
heaving bosom rose and fell with her senti
breathings, this splendid, sparkling jewel, SCENE
like a fairy fire ship. floating on a gentle swellin
pearly sea.
This diamond is worth the price of a King
dom. Battles have been fought for it it hf
cost millions of pieces Of gold and the bloc
OF tens OF thousands of men have been shed 70
it's possession. 1t makes the dark might lumir
nous with its sparkling glory; and the proudes
kings of Asia would be prOuder of its possessiO
than oil many great cities. But Laksaman
thought. and felt truly, that he would rathe
have the faithful love of the warm heart tina
now beat beneath this wonderful diamond, tia
to have q thousand such diamonds, and not I
have this love.
The Princess Komala. standing at the head c
fifty OF the most beautiful young virgins OF Me
nanskabau. all clothed in white silk dotted wit
stars of gold, stood on the side of the Princes
Umba, facing her and they sought to %entertai
her with songs and music OF diferrnt kinds.
At the same tsme the young Prince Marzora
the son OF the King Sri Rama attended by ffty
the young chiefs of Menangkahau, all clothed i
scarlet silk. faced with yellow SATIN and gold
stood ON the side of Laksamans. And the natu
raj heir to the Throne had to feign an endeavor t
entertain che one who was declared the heir az
parent through the force of arms and the foi
tune OF war.
The hero Laksamana was the most romaakabl
object amid all the glories of this gorgeous Pa
vilion. His great head with the fierce eyes. an
heavy beard, looked like the the head ola males
tic lien. and of a mighty KING. The sineys {
his arms appeared like cords of steel wire. HI