The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-20

monstrous diamond in the rays of the sun.
On the sides of certain buildings, on the
%turrets, in all the angles of the roofs, were
fantastic monsters in s~andalwood. studded
with gold and enamel, seeming ready to
spring upward to tear the sky with their
teeth. Then there were structures of bam-
boo. all open to the day, of an exquisite
workmanship. To-day these splendors are
nc more. Then it Was a golden dream-a
fable of the orient, realized by human in
dustry.
''At the city gates we were received by
the king and all the court. The monarch
alighted from his horse to salute me. Then
I was shown into an edifice, where they
proceeded to make my ceremonial toilet.
The king had brought me ornaments in a
large chest Of cedar wood, incrusted with
ivory, carried by the finest and most beau
tifully adorned of his elephants. But how
I ontshone this luxurious subaltern when
I "a appeared in my festal attire! Aor began
by bathing and perfuming me with great
care; Then they clothed me with long
scarlet bands, embroidered with gold and
silk, which were draped skillfully about me,
without conoealinR the beauty Of my shape
and the sacred wilderness of my skin. They
set on my head a tiara of scarlet cloth,
Rlittering with large diamonds and won
derful ,ubies; they bound my forehead
with nine circles of precious stones-a con-
secrated ornament which destroys tho in
fluence of evil spirits. Between my eyes
| shone a crescent of stones and Il plaque of
gold, on which my titles we're engraved.
| Silver tassels of the finest workmanship
hung from my ears; rings of gold, set with
put on my tusks. whose whiteness and bril-
liancy atttested my youth and purity.
Two large bucklers of solid gold covered
my shoulders. Finally a purple cushion
was set on my neck, and l saw with Joy
that my dear Aor wore a sarong of white
| oi1H chat Nth oilunr hrnNnlofH nf fna rntf
on his arms and legs, and q light shawl OF
the softest white cashmere wound about
his head. He also had been bathed and
%perfumed. His limbs were finer and more
perfectly modelled than those of the Bur
mans: his skin was darker and his eyes
softer and more brilliant. When I saw him
receive, to lead me. a wand encrusted with
pearls and encitcled with rubies, l was
proud of him and embraced him warmly.
/ lay down and stretched out my head. so
that my friend might take his seat without
disarranging my ornaments. and then
stood up 20 proud and imposing that the
king himself was struck with my dignity.
and declared that never had so noble and
beautiful a sacred elephant assured the
prosperity of his empire.
.Ihe progress to my palace lasted more
than three hours. The ground was strewn
with leaves and flowers. Braziers set in
the way diffused sweet perfumes. The
kings orchestra and mine played, and
troops of lovely girls danced before u.s.. At
each opening street new PROFESSIONS joined
US, of the grandees of city and country who
brought presents and foilowed me III q
double line. The air WAS heavy with the
smoke of perfumes and rang with a blara
of music that would have covered the
sound of thunder.
I'VE stopped in a wide, open arena thai
I might look on at games and dances. !
took pleasure in nl that was agreeable
and splendid; but l was Mortified at the
combats between animals. Seeing two
elephants, which had been rendered fe'
]rocious by a special dietary and system Of
torment, wrestling together with theil
trunks enlaced and tearing each other witt
their tusks, ] left my place Of honor ant
rushed into the arena to part the combat
ants. Aor had not time to restrain mi
and cries of despair arose on every side
They feared lest the adversaries shonlt
fall on me. But no sooner did they set
me near them than their rage subsidized a
if by magic, and they turned from eacl
other confused and Inundated.
"Aor said that I could not bear the sigh
of blood, and that after Il journey of NOR
than 800 leagues | absolutely needed rest
The people were greatly moved by my oon
duct, and the wise men took my part. say
ing that Buddha condemned cruel sport
and combats between animals. | had OK
pressed his will and for several years thes
cruel amusements were given up.
/ the city, in II delicious valley by the river
i This palace was M great and aH rich q
, that Of the, king. Besides the river ] hR'
| in my garden a deep pool of running waite
for my frequent ablutions.