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ON THE GOVERNMENT 



" On the moraing of the auspicious day he went abroad in 

 " dazzling state ; and on his return bathed in consecrated water 

 " [nam mon.] This water was mixed with lime juice and exquisitely 

 " scented. Having bathed, he perfumed himself with the peng horn." 

 [this paste is composed of rice flour, sandal and lignum aloes.] Atten- 

 " dants now presented the regal robes and dress, consisting of a gold- 

 " en vest with tight sleeves [Salong- Phra-ong] ; and an embroidered 

 " under garment, below which depending from the girdle and reaching 

 " down the thighs hung deep and richly embroidered and ornamented 

 " slashes of cloth" [or Chai Kreng.] These resemble in some degree the 

 ornamental dresses worn by Chinese actors when representing on the 

 stage Tartar heroes of old, and in the same respects may remind us of the 

 Spanish costume.] " He put on likewise the Cherhat and Klmn Khat 

 " or broad waist belt and plate, and the golden configurated apron (called 

 " P,Jia hoe naa), and the mantle (or PJia tjieep), and he threw gold chains 

 " around his neck. From his shoulders depended the Eenthanoo [or jewel 

 " flowered shoulder ornament],* and a splendid Thapsowang [or gorget of 

 " gold set with jewels] adorned his breast. Richly embroidered belts [Sat] 

 " crossed his body diagonally from the shoulder to the side [to the ends of 

 ♦« these are attached golden ornaments called Eeng: Sa-eeng is the name of 

 " whole] ; his arms were encircled with massive and costly bracelets 

 Men and rat kheng\ and his fingers shone with diamond rings. 

 " On his feet were the Salang prahaat or royal slippers. 



" Thus gorgeously apparelled the sublime prince passed into the hall 

 " and placed himself in the midst of a ring of prostrate dignitaries and 

 " officers. The astrologers now came forward and raised the wen keo teen 

 " tjiiyan [or mystic tablet], on the edge of which lighted tapers had been 

 " fixed, and invoked the supernal powers to vouchsafe their protection to 



* It will be found in that drawing of the Prabaat in the account published in the Trans- 

 actions of the Royal Asiatic Society. 



