The San Francisco call., 1904-04-24

this rested the covered chair used by
her to whom this raree-show was tri-
butte. l am sure 1 never saw such a
thing on the streets of Washington or
on the boulevard to Mount
Vernon, but l repeat what the
honest Kim affirmed. who stood
at my elbow explaining to
me the signification of all the insignifi-
canoe of the passing pageant. The four
silken sides of the chair were covered
with bangles representing peacccks
eyes, which in Quelparte are always
used TO denote the presence of the gem
tier sex. Behind the chair came a
crowd of coolies bearing yellow silk
parasols on elongated handles. The
fringes of these parasols were of .rarest
lace, and the spectacle afforded by
their bearers the most ridiculous con-
ceivable.
If Dulcine was enduring thing no
mortal was ever doomed to experience
before, she was certainly missing a
spectacle no mortal could ever forget
Interest now became intense as the
resounding foot beats on the hard
avenue announced the coming of the
army. in the center of which the royal
bier would be borne. Rank after rank
passed by and in good order, for in the
past fortnight the troops had been
drilled hourly for this review. 1t was
plain the result was satisfactory to the
crowd. If not to the officers.
But at last the funeral car was
caught sight of, and the soldiers were
forgotten. No sooner was this before
the door of the Kings wing than the
sarcophagus was borne to 1t on the
shoulders of many servants. About 1t
my company closed instantly, and we
were on our way to the mausoleum af-
ter hardly moments delay. The rear
was brought up by the cavalry regi-
ments
The funeral car in which the sarcoph-
'agus was placed would have added re-
nown in any procession 1t rolled on
two great golden wheels, being drawn
by ropes each fifty feet long and in the
hands of scores and scores of coolies in
mourning dress. Upon only those near
est the car did the work fall, for few
of those in front on either side drew the
vehicle, and those behind nearest
steadied 1t on an incline. All the rest
marched proudly, holding the slack rope
in their hands and gazing to the right
and to the left. The car was perhaps
seven feet in height. Above 1t in the
center was a great golden ball. an i'm
posing crown piece. Its length may
have been ten feet; its width four. AT
the corners of the fiuted roofing. large
golden lotus leaves curled upward from
beneath, and upon them golden dragon
heads were fastened. From the open
mouths great siken cords hung down,
and heavy tassels at their ends swept
the ground twelve feet below. But all
this beauty was not for the vulgar eye.
for beside the car (when they could
keep up with it) marched tall men car
rying poles, to which were fastened
long silken screens to shield the bier
from view. Before, beside and behind
came coolies carrying poles with flying
banners on which were inscribed the
graces and virtues of her within the
car. Some of these Kim translated 10
me. They were all new to me, though
she had graces and virtues unnum-
bered, / knew.
The pageant was a splendid success.
Before we passed out of the gate it was
evident that the nation saw and was
pleased. Even as we marched breath