"3
It Is said that {ihe king is very fond of these arro-
gant titles and as the people were told that he reauy
deserved these titles nobody dared to oppose the king
or to resist his pride. The fear of His Majesty is so
great that nobody, however powerful he may be, dares
to mention His name.... In cases when it Is necessary
the talk about him or to call his name, the people whis-
per the words respectfully ia each other's ear. His
Majesty is honoured and worshipped by his subjects
more than a god/1
This was the estimate of the Siamese king, recor-
ded by a Dutch merchant, more than two hundred
years ago.
From an old Siamese book, we know that when
the king wanted to retire in favour of his son, he asked
the astrologer to fix a day for the * august ceremony
of instalation' of the Prince. Ail the officers of state
and Governors of Provinces would be summoned to
swear allegiance to the new king and * be gratified by
laying their heads beneath the sublime feet* of the new
sovereign.
On the morning of the auspicious day, the new
king would bathe in consecrated water, which was
also exquisitely perfumed. Richly dressed, he would
come to the hall before the prostrate dignitaries and
officers. The astrologer would with his mystic tablet
seek the blessings of Heaven. Taking a betel leaf
over the flames of taper, he would extinguish it and
1. J. S. S. 1910, part I pp. 17—18,