398 A visit to Xiengma. [No. 4, 
and threw it away, for in it according to their superstition all the evi] 
was embodied, winding, as already mentioned, the long part of the 
thread around the wrist as a talisman. The same operation was gone 
through with the left hand. Some of the noblemen who were present 
followed his example, and the second prince Ong Sawa having been 
performed upon in a gimilar manner, the ceremony was over. Not 
the slightest decorum was observed during it, the people present 
talking, smoking, and making jokes while the exhortation was being 
read. 
I had observed at a short distance between our residence and the 
city wall, two monuments or resting-places of the dead, surrounded by 
a railing and kept in good order. It was entirely an accident that I 
addressed the Chao Ratcheput who was close to me in the Sala when 
the ceremony took place, asking him whose graves they were. “ They 
are those of my parents,” he said, “ their ashes after cremation had 
taken place, were interred here. Twice a year I come to put flowers 
over their graves, and have the railing restored.” 
I thought that this care bestowed upon the resting-place of his 
parents showed as deep an affection as the temples erected by the high 
nobility and the opulent in Bangkok, over the graves of their nearest 
relations. 
Our delay at Xiengmai became irksome. Chao Operat put all pos- 
sible difficulties in the way of our departure. In consequence of his 
detaining some British subjects against their will in Xiengmai, I had 
some differences with him and from that time none of the persons 
who had been previously so friendly with us, ventured to come near us ° 
—nay, we even found difficulties in purchasing provisions, the people 
being afraid to seli to us. After repeated delays we got under way at 
last on the 27th of February, having been detained thirteen days in 
Xiengmai. The number of elephants at starting was not complete and 
Chao Operat refused obstinately to let us have any horses, although :t 
was expressly mentioned in the king’s letter. It was then that Chao- 
puri-eatenah, seeing our disappointment, presented to Mr. Clarke and 
myself, each a pony of his own stud, so that we might occasionally 
relieve the monotony and hardship of elephant riding. [I felt grateful 
to the donor, and brought the pony safely with me to Bangkok. 
I shall now hurry on to the conclusion. The number of elephants was 
ultimately increased to 89—our escort consisted of 55 soldiers and 85 
