Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-22

temple in all Siam ia the Wat Cbeng. opposite
the royal palace. Il lifts its sacred srire 200
feet from the ground, and every inch " ifs ir-
regular surface IL covered with glazed and coli
ored ornsmentation, while little bells hang from
every possible projection and every zephyr sets
them tinkling.
Another famous temple contains the NAM
motn sleeping Buddha- The reclining statue is
eighty-seven feet long. The most interesting
temple In Bangkok is the temple OF the emerald
use OF the kings family. IL Is most Ornate. is
niied with the rarest specimens OF orieHtal and
European art. and GROWING all is the little
emerald Bnddha, only foot high. solid mass
OF diamonds, sapphires and other gems Several
far loftier temples in Bangkok cost 600 600
apiece, but the private temple OF the king,
surprising them all in maguifcenes, cost
Buddhist priests in yellow garb are seen
everywhere in Bangkok. They are not per-
united to work. and many young fellows enter
the priesthood simply because they are thus
sure OF an easy. pampered existence. Wealthy
people are usually favorable 10 progress. They
send their boys to Europe TO be educated Az
yet there 10 little chance for a p0sr man
to rise in Siam. Here aud there, how
ever, are examples OF what eltrsordi-
nary talent will do even for q humbie peas
ant One OF the richest men in bangkok
was formerly poor bostman. He developed
remarkable business acuteness. grew rich I'm
trade and his genius finally put him in tue rank
Of high noblemen. He il nov attached 10 the
foreign Office One OF his sons has been grad
usted at Oxford and has passed the English
bar. In old Siam the king would have cut OF
the head OF such man and confscsted his
wealth.
One Of the odd things in Bangkok is the fact
that you can hardly ever meet q noblemzn in
daytime. The king himself sleeps nesrly all
day, and does not 60 20 bed till about o'clock
in the morning. The tribunal that helps him
carry on the government meets in the night nc
the palace. III nobleman is asleep his SER
wants dare not wake him.
Play actors give many theatrical perform
ances IN the streets Of Bangkok. greatly 30 the
edihcation OF crowds of idlers. The actors
seen kueeling in the street are mostly women,
and their performance is rather broad. and az
times indecently suggestive. The son a some
big nobleman has reached the important
period In life when his topknot is TO be cut OF.
Ihis being great occasion the ceremony ID
costly and spectacular. and as a part Of the
festivities the rich father employs these street
players 70 entertain the people. As mshy top
knots are cut of in the course of yesI street
theatricals are common events.
The sismese are very iovisl and light
hearted, aud greatly addicted 70 public shows
as well as the gambling houses. They have
their NIL OF spectscles whenever q mernber Of
the royal family dies. IL cost $500. 900 duly 20
cremate one OF the kings children a while ago.
A special temple for the cremation services IL
built for each defunct royal highness The
temple is q very gorgeous affair, but it is
pulled down a. soon the royal clay il reduced
to ashes. The ceremonies include pro-
cessions, music, the king on his gold chair.
an immense display of royal banners and
mourning, and all the pomp and circumstance
needed 20 impress the event deeply upon the
people. OF course, the mobiles cannot afford
funerals on such a lavish scale, but they spend
all the money they can on them The masses
nock 10 see the show our people do TO . cir
Gus, while II will probably be their own fate to
be burned at the cost Of a few cents. or fang 10
the vultures
There are over 800 Europeans and Americans
IN Bangkok. 90 many that their appearance on
the street excites no attention