Photo and Copyi'Ight by R. lyCnz & Co. 
HIS MAJESTY LEAVING THE PAVIIJON OE THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY 
side with a superb aigrette, and sur- 
mounted by a miniature copy of the 
"prachidee" crown (see page 399). 
A double column of state barges, black 
lacquered, some with golden patterns, 
and propelled by paddles, manned by the 
navy in ordinary sailor's uniform, were 
a full hour in passing, all stopping to 
salute the King. Fifty paddlers were in 
each barge, with an officer and his guard 
under a red canopy amidships. 
The King's own royal barge (see page 
401) was of solid gold lacquer with fila- 
gree effect ; the prow was the head and 
neck of a most remarkable-looking beast, 
a combination of a snake and a griffin, 
though it was called the "golden swan." 
There were 60 paddlers, in solid red, 
with queer close-fitting caps, with a cape 
behind and in front of the ears. As the 
King entered and left the barge, they in 
unison placed their hands in the position 
of Buddhist prayer and bowed over until 
they were doubled up and moaned. This 
they repeated three times. 
The paddles were covered with gold 
leaf, and after each stroke they threw 
them up in the air, where the brilliant 
sun on the silver of the dripping water 
made a most beautiful effect. They all 
chanted at the same time. 
Two similar barges, with large droop- 
ing white plumes instead of the swan's 
head, bore gifts to the wat they were en 
route for, under a scarlet canopy in the 
middle of the barge. It was very digni- 
fied and impressive. All the ships in 
the river were dressed, and the usual 
booming of salutes and music by various 
bands on the men-of-war in port were 
heard. 
The afternoon of Tuesday, the 5th, 
the King received an address from the 
students of all the schools in a temporary 
pavilion at Thong Sanam Suang. This 
pavilion was a beautiful structure, with 
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