The Washington times., 1911-03-10

vehicles conveying the high priest, his
assistants, and other members Of the
party. IT Is taken to the 'pramane'
ground.
During the procession from the palace
to the scene of the cremation the Bud
dhist ritual for the dead Is chanted by
many hundreds of young priests, and
by the multitude. The high priest steps
from his carriage into view as the pro-
cesslons halts. He holds in his hands an
END OF a long strip of silver ribbons
The ribbons pass through che hands OF
many children of the dead monarch
Cnuialongkorn left twenty-eight living
cHioren and a score or more of wives
ana are fastened to the, urn OF gold.
II Is supposed that this observance al
lows the holy influences of the sacred
book to pass through the living bodies
Of the children to the dead monarch.
Fuel in Jeweled Car.
BY the time the reading Is over, the
fuel car, the wheels and body of which
are studded with precious stones, has
come up. Great fagots OF expensive
woods, the ends of which are bound
with bands of gold. are placed in GER
tain order about the urn containing the
body. During this time solemn chants
and the monotonous beatings of tom
toms continue until evening falls, when
the crowds disperse to their homes.
With but little variation, these cere-
monies last for seven days. During the
first day, it viii be necessary for the
United States representative, Hamilton
King, and the Representatives Gf other
foreign powers to sit through the entire
performance on the 'pramane' grounh.
For the next five days, however. they
will not be called upon even TO visit
the scene of activities unless they wish
TO through desire to see It all through.
But on the seventh and last day, 4
courier will call upon each one With
a personal note from the successor, re-
questing them to be present In all their
insignia of rank and regalia to witness
the actual burning of the late King
remains.
Ambassadors in Rank.
The representatives of other coun-
tries will be formed in line in the or
der in which they respectively recog-
nized Siam by sending their ministers
or ambassadors to that kingdom. Mr..
King will rank about fourteenth or
fifteenth in this line.
! When the multitude is assembled all
in mourning-the color for mourning IN
Siam Is Wi1fte-the golden urn. which
hoIds the copper Urn containing the
Kings body. IS removed. and the lat
| ter is placed in the center of the ''pra-
name
,
/ TO the dais on which is seated the
: reigning King. At the sound of Oriental
trumpets and the clashing of gongs and
cymbals. the King touches a match 10
this fuse Just at sunset. Priests ana
favored subjects rush to the funeral
pyre with lighted candles and place
| them upon the faggots. The brilliancy
Of these lights will be increased f1r
the first time in the history of the ar
cient country of Siam by myriads OF
electric lights of great candlepoWer,
which will be hung about the paVlhons
and booths.
49, Fire Carefully Guarded.
The stack of wood soon ignites. and
during the burning a specially selected
corps Of trained retainers run about
extinguishing the flames at sections.
where they threaten to destroy the en-
tire series of structures.
II generally takes an hour for the
cremation When this time has elapsed,
or whefr the flames at the funeral pyre
have died out, the charTed bones in tile
copper urn are once more placed IN
| the golden vessel. The ashes OF the
| fire are carefully collected and wrapped
| in finely woven muslin, made especially
| for the purpose. They are taken in i
pa geant of barges down the river near
| by and thrown TO the waters.
! The charred remains IN the urn are
carefully preserved, and taken to the
| funeral room in the palace. where they
| re Kept sor three days while the city
| Is held in the sway of an oriental Marol
! Gras At the end of the three days,
I fhe charred bones are placed IN the
vauIt of the kings. The timber that
was used to make the ''pramaner AMI
surrounding structures is collected and
| distributed among the priests who use
| II TO make repairs on their homes.