i6g
The Brahmin of tbe quarter then anointed His
Majesty in due form.
This was repeated in detail, with the modifications
mentioned, in every direction, until the circle of eight
had been touched, after which the king rose from the
Octagonal Throne and the procession moved with
the King at his head.
All the elaborate and highly necessary ceremo-
nial was but the prelude to the supreme moment—the
actual crowning of the King. His Majesty sat in
Regal State, surrounded by all the panoply of Eastern
ceremonial sat there solitary, outwardly calm, though
what inward emotions moved him at this stage none
but he can tell.
A great silence pervaded the hall, into which at
points the sunlight crept and was thrown back off the
glittering ornamention. Slowly the priest took the
Crown from the bearer in the possession and reveren-
tially handed it to His Majesty, who, amidst a deep
hush, with a dignified and stately movement, placed
it on his head.
Another King of Siam had been crowned, another
added to the roll of illustrious Monarchs who have
thrown their personality into the pages of the King-
dom's history.
Then the stillness was broken by the first salute
of the guns without and the music and fanfare within
the palace. A salute of 19 guns was fired by the three
ancient guns, named Maharuk, Mahachai and Maha-