New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
and securing the prosperity and stability of the
fortunate country which possessed him Az

and securing the prosperity and stability of the
fortunate country which possessed him AT
times, also, problems concerning urgent affairs
of State were laid before him for solution, his
opinion thereon being inferred from the frame
of mind in which he showed himself to be after
hearing them prOpoUnded-
F'orty-five years ago His Majesty King Mong-
kut of Siam was the possessor of one white ele-
phant which. in spite of the high education
and good intellect of that sovereign. his
chief delight and pride. AS the greatest com
pment he could think of paying to the Queen
of England, he sent her, by the hands of her
envoy. few hairs culled expressly for her from
the tail of his beloved animal, and when lit
tie later the arbiter of his destiny departed this
life he sent present to his friend Sir John
Bowring, accompanied by a touching letter in
English, a small piece of Its beautiful white
skim
How changed are the present conditions of
existence of the white elephants in Bangkok!
The recent addition of a young specimen to the
collection afforded an opportunity of noting the
miserable parody which is all that survives OF
the ancient ceremonies connected with the capt
ure and installation of the white elephant The
animal in question was captured in the forests
near Lopburi a place once famous as the sum
mer palace ana hunting lodge of the kings Of
Siam. No patent of nobility or alliance with
royalty rewarded the finder of the animal;
small pecuniary reconpense was thGusht quite
suihclent 10 meet the case. When 't was
announced that the animal was sufficiently tame
his transfer TO Bangkok was ordered. There
upon he was marched down 10 Ayuthia, where
specially constructed railway truck in
readiness to receive him. But where We're the
eided pillars, the silk and satin hangirgs of the
pavilion which should receive the august Great
ure? Where the reverent multtudes TO do
homage to the mascot of their King and cOUn-
try? Alas, these things have departed and are
no more seen little red calico and group OF
stoIid railway pOrters and Chinese coolies alone
representing the gorgeous decorations and ador-
ing pOpuIace of the past.
In Bangkok. however. some preparation had
been made fer the reception. The fact of the
impending arrival was notified TO the people,
and had even been published in the papers some
days before. Consequently, a considerable
crowd assembled at the terminus to witness the
Decentralization. di The streets We're decorated
here and there with bunting. and a procession.
headed by the four white elephants resident at
the capital. escorted the newcomer to the palace.
a crowd of bOwmen and spcarmen accompanied
the elephants through the streets. These men
were dressed in what was. apparently intended
to represent the military costumes of the brave
Old days, but IL the warriors of yOre at all re-
sembIed these miserable bundles of rags and
paStebOard il is evident that all the accounts of
Ralph Fitch and ether historians of the Splen-
did courts and armies OF old IndO-China must
have contained a good deal more of romance
than of truth. The trappings OF the white ele-
DhantS themselves We're also most pitful TO
view. Tawdry. threaGbare red cloth now takes
the place of jewel studded velvet and silk. dia-
nlond and ruby rings longer ornament the
precious tusks. gold bangles to be seen
upon the august limbs.