1865.] On some Siamese Inscriptions. 33 



There is a river, which surrounds this town of Sukhotay in three 

 windings, even at the dry season, two thousand four hundred fathoms 

 in extent. The people in this town of Sukhotay are addicted to alms- 

 givings, are addicted to observe the precepts, are addicted to make 

 offerings. The father-benefactor Ramkhamheng, the sovereign of this 

 town of Sukhotay, he with all his ladies, with the host of lords, all 

 men and women, the whole of the princely race, the sons of nobles, all 

 males and females, as many as there are, the whole multitude, all of 

 them, persevere piously in the religion of Phra-Phuth (Buddha). 

 They keep the precepts during the time of Lent, every one of them. 

 When the rainy season is concluded, they celebrate the processions to 

 throw presents to the priests during one month, and then it is finished. 

 To solemnize this festival, they contribute artificial fruits ; they collect 

 the fruits of areca ; they bring flowers ; they bring cushions ; they will 

 reap the fruits of meritorious rewards. Those who present cushions, 

 will sleep on costly canopy couches. The variety of the presents in 

 multifarious patterns, heaped up by royal command and by the com- 

 mon folks, are innumerable, glittering in such quantities that they 

 cannot be counted ; they block up all places, filling every spot. The 

 lines of presents extend in piles beyond the precincts of the town till 

 to the outskirts of the jungle. If they have to be transported inside 

 the palace, there is one uninterrupted mass of goods stretching around, 

 before and behind, from the jungle outside. Then in praying and 

 ejaculating pious words, the air resounds with the clashing of voices, 

 with the echo of voices, in the passing and repassing of voices, with 

 singing voices. According to every one's liking, he who feels inclined 

 and wishes to gamble, may gamble ; who feels inclined to play, may 

 play ; who feels inclined to promenade, may walk about. In this town 

 of Sukhotay there are excellent singers with melodious voices. At 

 the height of the festival the people use to come in in crowds, jostling 

 each other and eager to look on, how they light up the fire-works and 

 let them off. This town of Sukhotay contains a gong, split in halves. 

 This town of Sukhotay possesses a temple ; possesses a statue of Bud- 

 dha, 18 cubits high ; possesses a large image of Buddha ; possesses a 

 holy convent ; possesses aged teachers; possesses a high priest. To the 

 west of the town of Sukhotay there is a jungle-monastery (of hermits). 

 The father- benefactor llamkhamheng bestows alms on the high priest 



5 



