104
nection with the crowning of a King. Put if we will
but turn to the West Tve will find the existence of
ceremonial, which, perhaps not so protracted, is at
least marked by a fulness and a respect for detail thu
carries one back to ancient times.
<6And so to the great day. As the dawn broke the
thought that was uppermost was that before the sun
again set, another King of Siam would have been
crowned to carry into the future the glories of the past
and to add to the history of the Kingdom the force
of his personality and power.
"The morning broke dull and wet. Rain com-
menced to fall during the night and when dawn came,
it was still falling heavily, sweetening and refreshing
the parched land. Rain on Coronation morning is
regarded as a good omen. It may be of interest to
note also that on the day His Majesty was proclaimed
King in November, rain fell, after a dry spell. The
proceedings yesterday morning were timed to com
mence at 9.35 a m. with the R >yal ceremonial bath,
and it is significant that almost at the identical minute,
the sun for the first time broke through the clouds and
shone brightly until the time was approaching for the
afternoon ceremony, when the rain again suddenly
commenced to fall in torrents These circumstances
are taken as hopeful signs for the new reign,
"Yesterday morning before 9 o'clock His Majesty,
in Regal State, proceeded to Baisal Hall, where were
assembled Princes of the royal blood, foreign re-