No. 54.— 1903.] KINO KTRTT SBf S EMBASSY TO STAM. 31 
of the pinnacle of the gilt dagaba erected on this sacred site, when we 
hastened down from our elephants and proceeded two miles on foot, 
resting in a hermit's cell in the neighbourhood of this august spot. The 
next day being Tuesday, the eight day of the lunar month, we offered 
worship at the holy shrine. The following is a description of it. 
From the river of Siam to this place was a continuous line of viharas, 
halls, villages, fields, and gardens ; at intervals were large parks adorned 
with tanks and lakes and with shady groves of mangoes ; among these 
could be procured food and drink and sweet things to help the traveller 
on his way. Where the road came to an end a great range of mountains 
rose on the right ; this was formed by Sachcha Bandhana Parvata and 
the caves where the hermits live. At their prayer the Sacred Foot 
had been imprinted as if it were in a mass of soft clay to the depth of 
about four inches right up to the ankle, showing the 216 auspicious 
signs, with the five toes separately marked. Enclosing this to the 
breadth of about a span were three rows of petals of pure gold, the 
inner rim set with priceless gems, the whole being covered with seven 
curtains curiously worked with gold. In the middle of the square 
structure were stone steps facing in every direction, and covered over 
with plates of silver so that the joining could not be seen. Above the 
sacred footstep and made of solid gold was a pagoda supported on 
suitable pillars, forming a shrine. At the four corners were placed 
four golden sesat^ and from above hung four bunches of precious 
stones like bunches of ripe arecanuts in size. On the edge of the roof 
hung ropes of pearls, and on the point of the spire was set a sapphire 
the size of a lime fruit. Within and overshadowing the footprint like 
a canopy, there hung from the middle of the spire a full-blown lotus 
of gold, in the middle of which was set a ruby of similar size. 
Chariots, ships, elephants, and horses with their riders, all made of 
gold, and of a suitable size, where placed on a golden support above 
the silver pavement. This was slung on wires of gold, to which were 
attached ornaments set with pearls the size of the nelli fruit, as well 
as other jewelled ornaments, rings, and chains. By some skilful 
device all this could be moved along the silver pavement. There were 
rows of vases with lotus, water-lilies, sapu,- dunuhe^ idda^ soukenda, and 
jasmine flowers, as well as flowering plants. Above this shrine, which 
rivalled in its blaze of splendour the abode of the gods, and four- 
square with it, was a structure of eleven stages. Its pavement was of 
silver, while the four walls were adorned with gilding and various 
paintings ; the ceiling was also gilt, and above the shrine and at the 
four corners were hung up five large gilt sesat. In the intervals 
were large full-blown lotus flowers with sapphires, the size of lime 
fruits, set in their hearts. From the corners hung a network of 
pearls, while five bunches of various gems the size of large ripe 
arecanuts hung at the corners and the middle. Within, against the 
western wall, was raised a large gilt throne on which rested a gilt 
facsimile of the sacred footprint. Two doors faced the south and 
north ; the doors and the doorposts were covered over with plates 
of gold ; the former were in panels, the first adorned with the figure of 
a Bramah carrying a sesat^ the second of a Sakraya blowing a conch, 
the third of a Suyam deity with a chamara, the fourth of a Santhusita 
god with a jewelled fan, — all with their hands clasped above their heads 
in adoration. Above the door were hung two golden curtains. 
At intervals on the outer face of the walls were square openings 
set with glass, in which were arranged figures of lions, bears, elephants, 
