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The King of Siam lately received a dispatch by which the governor of a province announced to him that a brand new god had been discovered in a distant district in the shape of a snow-white elephant* which was already on its way towards the capital j themessage was received at the royal SiameseCourt with great rejoicing, and the monarch decided immediately to go and meet the divine pachyderm* He placed himself at the head of a procession, which consisted of the ministers, court dignitaries, and the superior priests. After the procession had travelled for a few miles they met the Elephant, which they approached with deep bows and the greatest sign of respect* Kneeling down, he placed the proboscis on his own head and shoulders, and prayed to the animal for protection. At the end of this ceremony the King drew his sword and placed himself at the right side of the quadruped, whilst a high priest, with a golden staff, placed himself on the left side, and the procession returned to the capital in | this manner. On entering the town the new god was received with military salutes from the guns and cannons ; the troops lined the roads leading to the royal palace, and the people loudly applauded. The king led the elephant to an apartment situated quite close to his own splendidly furnished rooms and gave him the title of reigning monarch, and decorated him with the grand cordon of the Siamese Order of the White Elephant. The household of the divinity was organised with the utmost splendour, and all the utensils used for his food were of either massive gold or costly china* During the first two days after his arrival the pious people brought to his altar gifts worth more than 100,000 rupees.
Newspaper Details
Milton Bruce Herald
Milton, Otago, NZ
Fri, May 19, 1882
Page 3
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SG 04 Sep 2020
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