The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-12
CRENTATING A KING
an Interesting Ceremony at Bangkok. Siam
The Music of the Ssamese.

an Interesting Ceremony at Bangkok, Siam
The Music of the Siamese.
st. James's Gazette.
The body of the late Second King of Siam.
who died in August of last year, was cremated
with all due honors on the l4th of June Tha
interval between death and cremation seems
strangely long: but haste, which is in no case
considered "good form" in Siam, is thought
especially indecorous when the mortal remains
of any great dignitary have to be disposed of.
Accordingly, the body of the royal deceased was
allowed to lie in state for more than nine
months, and it was not till the spring of the
present year that preparations were made for
erecting the grand building in which he was to-
be reduced to ashes But then, as II by magicd
there arose in the wide, open space to the north
of the royal palace glittering structure of vast
dimensions On the outside of the pile, long
quadrangular line of low thatched buildings
forming cloisters. Inside. number of pointed
roofs rising one above the other. In the midst
of these, a four sided tower with conical roof
sloping upward until it tapered into a pinnacle
and thence dwindling into a mast, which was held
firm by long ropes stretched from the ground.
The top of this-nearly two hundred feet from
the ground-rose above the gabled roofs. and
the whole mass glittered with bright gliding
scattered lavishly over the red groundwork Of
the walls and platforms below.
Inside the cathedral-for it resembled nothing
to much-the scene was still more bright FROM
the tall ceilings of the naves or aisles hung
draperies of rich-colored cloth and gauze, with
festoons of lamps. Along the sides of the aisles
were chairs for the state officials, and there was
gold throne for the King himself. In the mids
die of the building, beneath the great spre, was
the catafalque and pyre, light quadrangulaN
structure, pinnacled, and draped, and profusely
decorated with od-carvipg and heavy gliding
On golden altar within the sort of four poster
thus erected was the resting place for the urn
itself, in which the body of the defunct King
was to rest while the fire lighted beneath.
dim religious light, even at midday, pervaded
k1n, 81 Oh rsAn-a
bly, relieved by the yellow robes of priest. who
from time to time glided ghost-like through tho
building or squatted in devotional attitude upon
the floor.
the important ceremony of transporting the
body from : state resting place to the crema4
ton bull. An immense procession wac
formed on the far side of the edifce. A military
escort came first and then troop of artificial
beasts constructed of wood The horse, the
Assyrian eagle headed lion, the fabulous Rach-
asce dear unese scholars. the tiger and the
sacred ele .. all glided along, dragged upoK
tiny, crea wheels by men clad in consecrated
jackets of chinese workmanship. Then came 81
forest of flags and crimson canopies borne alofN
by men wearing striped uniforms of blue, red
and white; then more soldiers and more bands;F
and i'exr, amidst hourishes of trumpets and tho
playing of the national anthem, the King himT
self, borne in a golden litter, with two of his
children His Majesty takes his post in pavil.l
ion near the gates of this building, where the
aud soon is heard the discordant blast of II q
Brahmin shells. blown By the Hiudoo priests
who officiate only on high occasions of state I'M
Siam. A long and slow procession follows. The
Dead March" is well played by the royal band,
in true European style; and to its solemn notes
advances strange procession, in which thef
Brahmin priests, with their snow. " bite robea
and tall white pointed caps, are very conspicuous
Behind them appears the funeral carriage itsrlE
"a towering structure in which the dark brown
ca SetO off nv tha hnay o.
gold of the decorations Almost at the top OF
it. close to the ark which holds the royal remains,
sits one of the chief priests. The others hold i
their hands the sacred cord which unites them
all in prayer IN filters near the hearse carr
ried the two of the late King clad from
head to foot in cloth gold, and these go in first
to the building to receive the corpse, which id
slowly lowered on to another litter and deposited
at length on the catafalque within.
On the cremation day all Bangkok turns OUT
The lakons. or theatres. beat their loudesEj
drums and exhibit their most attrac i've danpinsE
girls. At P. NJ. the Foreign Minister proceeds RS
to the east entrance. followed by the diplomatlo
body, who are seated on chairs between the east
transept and the cloisters. Near them are tnG
great provincial magnates, in uniform, with
their gold BELTS and inside, within the nave Itself
are the chief Ministers of state and princes OF
the blood royal, arrayed in black with blue or
yellow sashes. There is long pause, but at
last shutting at the gates is heard. Soldiers
file in; carrying the rod-bundles, which remind
acknowledgements, with their uniforms and
evening dress. the one side, Siamese in brightA
er colors. on the other Then the national at4
them sounds. The King comes in, alone
this time in his litter of state. His
bearers put down the litter: hig
Majesty steps out of it, salutes the
functionaries. salutes the diplomates and with q
quick step mounts the steps of the nave. Ans
other minute and he has applied the scented
torch to the fagots of the pyre and Immediately
returning ascends his litter and departs. There's
is a sort of rush into the building; but the hasty
are imprudent A thick dull vapor is risina
heavily from the altar and rolling in sulen waves
down the nave. 1t is supposed to come FROM
fragrant woods deeply impregnated with sweet
scents but the effect is not agreeable. Its acri6
vapor almost blinds the eyes, which can hardly
distinguish the rich drapery and hangings of the
canopy above Some are inqusitive enough ta
push on and actually mount the half dozen step4
leading to the altar, but they nearly stihed
by the smoke and its pine odor. Soon the buildA
ing is cleared and the work of slow destruction
goes before a mere handful of spectators,
mostly priests. At midnight the ashes sifted
and the bones collected in sacred urn, but durl
ing the previous six hours the doors that pervade
the sacred edifice are not to be described
Lost in the Sea.
Safa (;ruZ SIM