The times., 1901-04-28
THE KNOT THAT FAILED.
How French Consul Became the
Chum of a King.
lFrom tbe Saturday Evening Postl

(From the Saturday Evening Post.)
Nr Louis Voisson, who has been of
benefit to the French Government by
making a Burmese-French grammar, and
who is we'll known in America through
his many years as French Consul in Phil
adelphia, tells 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 diplomatic
mission Mr.. Voisson 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
palace 1t was to the advantage OF
France that he should be persona grata
at the Burmese court. He strongly de-
presentation He knew King Thebaw was
a merry monarch, good fellow when
once you pleased him, but rather tena-
cious of the etiquette of the ceremony due
him from a foreigner
Mr. Voisson, 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
presentation; the conventional dress suit
was impossible during that ScorchlnS
season. vet the white linen unofficial suit,
that closely reSembled pa1amaS, would be
froWned upon. The official gladly under
took the task, for Mr.. Noisson was
most likable man. Both entered into the
scheme with Elec. Inc costume COISlSteu
of yards and yards OF white silk wound
around the body. clothing II perfectly,
keeping 1t cool and giving really graceful
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 the last final knot that Kept the
v mole 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 loOseued itself MIR. Nols-
son had been introduced; the King was
making his speech of Welcome-and Mr..
EoissOn knew that in another 1--WE 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 10 pick il 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
listened TO the sonorOus tones of King
Thebaw 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 a tarantula
cra Wiling up his leg and a 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,
and finished the ceremony Mr.. NoiSSon
backed carefully out. taking every step
as if ne were treadins on Ehe prOverbial
eggsheils Outside the throne room, the
silken swathings gave way entirely.
The next day Mr.. Noisson told the en-
tire story to the King, and it 50 tickled
Thebaw's sense of humor that the French
representative found favor thereafter in
his eyes above all other foreigners.