The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-04-30
THE ROYAL RULER OF SIAM,
GORGEOUS CEREMONIES IN WHICH
HE PARTICIPATES,
The Kings Barge Propelled by
Eighty Menwith BrightlyPainted
Paddles.

ana nOnCe are CdllBu ''IOgdl WuNNo' ~
has been the custom, from ancient times,
for the King to have a yearly visit made
to each of these temples, to carry offer
ings of yellow cloth and other things to
the priests, and to worship the images.
The temples near the palace are visited
first, and to them His Majesty is borne on |
mems shoulders, seated in an elegant
golden chair of state, sparkling with
gems, and followed by princes and mobiles
in costly carriages; and some OF these
carriages are filled with offerings to be |
presented. After this the temples on the
river are visited, and then the ceremony |
is made impressive by grand professions
of boats. Sometimes there are over
hundred beautiful boats, containing over
a thousand men in holiday dress, and
the confusion, excitement and noise make
a scene never to be forgotten. These
boats are unlike those used on other oc-
casions, and arc scarcely ever out except
during the taut katin season.
His Majestys barge is, of course, the
largest and most beautiful; but the
others arc all of the same general style.
1t is perhaps 100 feet long, with great,
gilded, fabulous-l looking creature for its
figure head, and gilded stern that rises
gracefully fifteen or twenty feet high out
of the water In the middle of the boat
His Majesty is seated on an elevated
cushioned platform, under a pavilion
with arching roof, from which hang cur
tains of crimson and gold cloth, which
can be looped back or drawn close, at
pleasure. This barge is propelled by
eighty men with long, brightly painted
paddles, which they dip in the water and
then lift simultaneously high in the air.
The first part of the procession is COM
posed of about fifteen or twenty boats
somewhat like the Kings barge, but
smaller, and not having so many men in
them. Others of these front boats have
bands of native music; and all this noise
is meant to drive Instructions out of the
way, or, in other words, to prepare the
way for the King; and the din and COM
motion is very exciting. Following this
| is His Maiestys barge; and, If the cur
tains be looped back, the Kings genial
face may be seen surrounded by either
few of his royal brothers or some of his
little children. Following His Majesty's
| barge, and near to it, is smaller one OF
magnificent adornments, which carries
the offerings to be given to the priests
and following it are the boats of the
princes and noblemen.
When His Majesty reaches the temple
landing he is received by guards OF SOL
diers stationed along both sides of the
| B. +ho IAOr Of fha fapnnlp w hen
about to enter the temple he takes oil
his shoes; then, with the offerings in his
hands, he lifts his hands above his head,
and bows down low before the image OF
Buddha. He then makes similar obei-
sauce to the superior priests and bestows
the gifts. This done, His Majesty again
enters his boat and goes to another tenn
pie.
In January, 1887, there was celebrated
the ceremony that confirmed the title to
the present Crown Prince of Siam. AT
that time, for seventeen days, Bangkok
was in holiday Dress banners and bunt-
ing, garlands of FLOWERS, decorated arches,
long lines of the seven-storied umbrellas
in silver and gold, with hurrying crowds
of both natives and foreign residents, all
reminded one that some wonderful oc-
casion was going on.
The steamers on the riyer made grand
display of many coloIed flags during the
day, and in the evening were covered
with thousands of tiny lamps that SHIN
mered and sparkled III many quaint and
beautiful designs; and in every direction
the picture was completed by displays Of
grand fireworks. Professions through
the day and theatrical performances
through the evening were kept up fol
several days, and at last the auspicioui
time arrived, that which was appointed
by the best astrologers, and on January
IA the grand "water rite" came off.
A temporary floating pavilion, riOA an'
beautiful in all its appointments, ha(
been erected at the bank of the river nea
the palace. The place where the princ'
was to go down to the water was pro
tected first by a basket-work netting, in
side of that finer netting, and inside o
that third netting of fine wire, to keel
out all pernicious animals, while soldier
with spears guarded each side of this ex
! quisitely prepared bathroom. Two pair
of crystal stairs led from the floor of tn
main room of the pavilion down to tn
surface of the water.
When the appointed time arrived tn
little Prince was taken down one pair o
the crystal stairs by his royal uncle, Will
his royal father stood on the other pair o
the crystal stairs; there they waited, ant
as soon as the gold and silver cocoanuts
which were floating on the surface of tn
water, came near enough to each other u
, touch, then the prince was put into tn
water, the music struck up, artillery fired
the priests pronounced their blessings
and His Royal Highness Chowfa Nah
, Wajirunhs was hailed heir-apparent t
I the throne of Siam.
These ceremonies were brought to .
close by an evening entertainment give
in the "King's Gardens" by the familie
of the leading princes and mobiles of tn
c Government; and to many who saw il
$ this was the most wonderful part Of thi
, very wonderful occasion. These garden
! were arranged, decorated and illuminate
$ until they were indescribably beautiful
4 and were much more like enchantmen
| than reality DeW0reSts Magazine,
: -Four silver salt cellars of the sixteenth