Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-03
AN EXPLORER MADE KING.
VI. Marie-David, the New Monarch Of
the Sedangs.

From the st James Gazette.
Five years ago NJ. Marie-D David de Mayrens
was an officer in the French Corps des Guides
having previously served with distinction in
the Franco-Prussian war. He was also Jour
nalist poet, member of the Cercle de la Presse
bon garcon. and bouleyardier In the wear
1855 he was sent by the French goyernm, Mt TO
make reports concerning certain affairs pro-
crossing in Sumatra. Having performed his
duties. he crossed over to Cochin-China and
travelled for few months in the AMMAN coun-
try. There he fell in with some Jesuit fathers
bound on a mission of conversion TO the inte-
rior of Farther India. Turning TO the map. We
find just above Cochln-Chi aud 10 the westo
Siam a long extent OF country between the
River Mekong and the AMMAN boundary. This
is the kingdom of Sedangs. which. up TO last
year. was ruled by native chiefs. who like their
subjects, lived in primitive As.atic fashion.
From time TO time they would visit the baZaars
on their frontiers 10 purchase goods. pots and
pans, and other neccssaries. paying tor what
they bought in little tubes of gold-dust and
balls of white vegetable wax, which latter COM
modify Is exceptionally valuable.
VI. De Mayrena conceived the idea of annex
/ ing these provinces in the name OF France;
| and having prosecuted his rescarches-for he il
( a scientist, engineer. mlneralOgist. well as
| soldier-he considered that the place teemed
with undelvoped riches. Accordingly. in 1855,
/ ne returned to Paris and laid his scheme before
the minister, who happened to be NJ. Constants,
| and was sent back armed with am official au-
| thority TO trace the source of the Mekong. Ac-
| cordingly. with twenty volunteers, he started
on his travels. At Quin-Hon be encountered
again the Jesuit fathers. and. having found an
interpreter. pushed toward the frontier. They
! found the first village they came 10 in a state
| Of epidemic. A sort OF jungle fever was play
ing sad havoc with the natives. and n store Of
quinine which the travellers had with them not
| only cured their new hosts but stamped them
| as benehcent sOrcerers, and secured them the
| friendship OF their patients. VI. De Mayrens
was elected a chief IN recognition of his sery-
ices, and an escort conducted him into the
| country. Here he found war progressing
| There were several tribes in the country and
| they had been fighting each other. on and of,
after the Chinese method, for many genera
| tons. Our hero fought, too, and led his side
! TO victory.
Prosecuting his scientific researches, he be-
| came more than ever convinced that he had
faund a second Burma. and he naturally de-
| sired to put an ond to the internecine wars that
| lInpeded ms work and occupied the natives to
| the detrlment OF any prospects of commercial
development. Having assured his position. be
! married the only child of a great chief. and,
with the assistance of his father-in-law. sum-
mOned a vast assembage of chiefs TO a national
discussion. They met and he lectured them on
the advantages of trade aud the stupidity of
/ lighting; he gave them the outline OF his plans
for the formation of a railway and the disposal
| OF their minerals. which were almost unlimited
They listened and departed. 10 return agnin.
aud with one accord elected him chief of the
/ chiefs. or King Of the Sedangs.
Tie king. Who Is now IN Paris. is a fine tall
man. over six feet In height His age may be
about forty-1iye. He has a splendid beard,
/ slightly ungcd with gray. and never drinks
! anything but water. this teetotalIsm being IN
| herited from his father ana grandfather. In
! his buttonhole he wears light green decora-
! ton. the emOlem OF has new order. instituted
/ by himself, but of which he has already be-
| slowed only tive crosses. and none ia Europe.
| As son as has strange history and the fact that
/ he had arrived III Paris became known. he was
assailed by correspondents of every descrip-
ton. Nearly $40 people have asked
4 10 be dec urated With his order alleg-
ing. in their affection for hls majestys
| person. lnnumerable reasons for their
/ demands, and hoWing the benefits to accrue TO
the Sedangs SHOULD they be granted. A dentist
Of rs 10 clean his malesty's teeth and TO pre-
sent his zuite with specimens of tooth-powder,
| ALREADY iayorably known throughout Europe"
! A lady offers herself dame de compagnie,"
anu "a youth bcgs TO be taken out, because be
| has all the instincts OF savage and a horror
of intellectual work" An enterprising wine
merchant forwards cask of champagne labelled
Royal Sedang. 1885," and person who has
] discovered the secret OF arial navigation begs
tor funds TO assist him to perfect his invention.
| These are but q few specimens of over two
thousand letters received, in the course Of TWEEN
| ty days, by the new monarch.