The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28
THE KNOT THAT FAILED.
How IA French Consul Became the
Chum of a King.
OFrom the Saturday Evening Post.

From the Saturday Evening Post)
Mr.. Louis Voisson. who has been OF
| benefit to the French Government by
making Burmese-French grammar, and
| who is well known in America through
his many years as French Consul in Phil
| adelphia. tells Il most delightful story OF
how he and the King of Burmah became
! good chums.
The President of the French Republic
| ordered him to Burnlah on a diplomatic
mission. Mr.. Vosson knew the Burmese
| language probably better than any other
| man not native born. He knew not only
the high caste tongue, but the provincial
dialects He knew the-customs of the
Burmese common folk and Of the royal
France that he should be persona grata
at the Burmese court. He strongly de-
sired to make good impression at his
presentation. He knew King Thebaw was
a merry monarch. a good fellow when
once you pleased him, but rather tena-
cious OF the etiquette of the ceremony due
him from a foreigner
Mr.. NOisSon, wishing to do the proper
thing, and to do 1t according to the high
est etiquette OF the court, got one of the
officials Of the palace to show him how to
dress according to the native way Of
presentation: the conventional dress suit
was impossible during that scorching
season, yet the white linen unofficial suit
that closely resembled pajamas. would be
frUwned upon. The official gladly under
took the task, for Mr.. Voisson was a
most likable man. Both entered into the
scheme with glee The costume consisted
of yards and yards of white silk wound
around the body. clothing 1t perfectly,
keeping 1t cool, and giving really graceful
lines.
The silk was bought; the day Of the
presentation Of the French representa-
tive came. and Mr.. NoissOn's servant,
having been instructed by the official,
wound the yards Of silk around his mas
Unfortunately he did not know how to
give tn. last final knot that kept the
whole in place. He thought he did, how
ever, and Mr.. -Noisson was taken to the
palace wearing his unique costume. All
went well until he was before the King.
Then the knot loosened itself MIR. Vols
son had been introduced; the King was
making his speech of welcome-and Mr.
NOisson knew that in another five min
utes he would be disrobed Even had
there been a pin on the floor he could not
without a breach of the court etiquette
have stopped to pick ii up.
His knees shook, and the trembling of
his body did not assist in Keeping the SILK
in place. He felt the inside swathing slip.
slip, Slip. He counted the seconds as he
1hebaw's voice, welcoming him to Bur
NAH His brow dampened. He almost
gave way to the desire to shrek aloud,
and felt like a man with tarantula
era wiling up his leg and pistol pointed
at his face He found grim endurance and
silence his only hope. The look of agony
in his face was noticed by the King.
He said: The heat mas overcome you
backed carefully out. taking every step
as If he Were treadng on ghe prOVerbial
eggshells. outside ths throne room. the
sillxen swathings gave way entirely.
The next day Mr.. Voisson told the en-
tire story to the King, and il SO ticlSled
Thebaws sense of humor that the French
representative found favor thereafter in
his eyes above all other foreigners