The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-05-18
SACRED WHITE ELEPHANTS.
THE ROYAL BEASTS OF SIAM AND
BuRMAH.
allow the Royal Captives are Housed and
Cared For---Homaue Paid to Them by
the King ind People.

the King and People.
Professor Henry A. Ward has given
an interesting account of his visit to
the Siamese kings treasures. as follows:
His five famous white elephants
are in a long block of buildings at the
real of the arsenal. Each has an en-
tire distinct stable appointed to its use,
with the sleeping apartments of its
score of grOoms and feeders in n end.
The stable is n large, high hall, with
plain floor and walls, and at n end is
asmall seated Buddhaimage with little
lamps burning in front. The great
beast stands on a handsomely built
pedestal, raised about a foot from the
floor, with its top just large enough TO
hold him. On n side of this, near
the front and rear, are two high, stout
posts, gilded and otherwise gaudily or
nate. To these the royal captive is
chained with velvet-covered ropes by
one fore and one hind leg. His
keepers are very attentive, and con-
stantly deal out to him dainty
mouthfuls of bananas, ~pineapples,
short sticks of sugar-cane and little
bundles of sweet, fresh grass from a
huge pilS of these which, is heaped near
by. Every one of his wants is assidu-
Ously attended to when he is seen to
itch in any part of his boiy his royal
hide is promptly scratched with a
small iron rake-like instrument with a
long handle his eyes are reverently
wiped and he has a coil sponge-bath
every hour or two of day and night
during the hot seasons. Over the door
of each stable is a large richly orna-
mented sign of gold letters, giving the
inmates full regal name and title. This
the guide reads to you in reverently
hushei breath indeed, these names,
like that of the king, it is not proper
for any Siamese to speak aloud. Time
was when these beasts were duly
worshiped by king and people their
stables were palaces; they were fed from
golden dishes, and wore heavy gold
rings upon their tusks and were fetterel
with golden chains. Even now the
populace fall with their heads to the
ground as they are led out richly ca
parisoned on state occasions, while
the royal officers and even the king
himself always make them obeSiance
in passing. The finder of a white ele-
plant is loaded with honors and emol-
uments, taking his place at one step
among the mobiles of the kingdom.
They come from the Laos territory
far to the north and are brought down
the river on RATS magnifcently
decked out, and accompanied by
guards of honor and bands of music.
AT Aguthia, sixty miles up the river,
they are met by the king with his en-
tire royal retinue, who in the grandly
adorned state barges follow the noble
beast to its future home, with great
parade and rejoicing.
The present lord white elephant in
Mandalay, according to- an acc )m-
plished writer on Burman affairs, is not
attractive in appearance 4; he is very
big. but Notwithstanding the care
taken of him he is remarkably lean and
hollow sided. His tusks, however, are
magnificent - white, smooth and
curving forward in front of his trunk
so that they almost meet. He is very
bad tempered. and his attendants
are much afraid of him. He has an
establishment of thirty men to wait on
him. among whom is a minister of
state who manages his affairs and
looks after the revenues of the
province that is assigned to him tC
seat ;" while within the inner
stockade he has a "palace to himself,
On one occasion he killed a man who
haI ,,ont,,raJ TOO mann, nnI thnra WIN
a good deal Of trouble and noise be
fore the body could be got away from
him. The king-Theebau's father
heard the noise and inquired what was
the matter. When he was told he ex.
pressed great concern, and not a little
alarm for the future state of the lore
white elephant, with the stain Of
murder on him blotting out hosts o.
previous good deeds. But the ele
plants minister Gained his mind an(
restored him to equanimity by saying
"Pray do not be disturbed, Payah i
was not a man, only a foreigner.
Probably because he is so vicious
the lord white elephant has neve
been ridden. No one but the kin,
himself could do so and his lat,
majesty, Mindohn Min, was fat an
feeble, and Theebau's nerves are no
strong enough. The Sinpyoo Dau i
king of elephants, and therefore non
but a king may mount him. Hi
royal trappings are kept in the palac
and are very magnificent. Bands O.
rich red cloth run from the headstal
to the back and thence to the tai
hanging in curves over the body
They are richly studded with ruhie
and emeralds. On the forehead is
plate of gold recording his majesty
titles, such as is worn by every man @
rank in the country, up to the arbite
of existence himself. Bosses of pur
gold and clusters of preciou
stones cover the headstall and golder
tassels hang about the head. Whe
he goes forth to take the air he
shaded by golden and white umbre
las. He and the king share all I'll
white umbrellas in the country b,
A.,on1 4haD- Tla l;na % n,o1 L.,