A SPLENDID PROCESSION WAS FORMED AND BEGAN ITS MARCH. I FOLLOWED NEXT AFTER THE KING.
After this we descended by narrow streets, traversed by bridges and canals to the shores of the river—the broad and beautiful Mei-nam.
In the distance were seen the deep blue mountains against the brilliant sky—the chain of "The-Hundred-Peaks"—the "Rameau-Sabad"—the "Hill-of-Precious-Stones" and others. But the spectacle of the river, all covered with shipping bearing flags, and decorated with flowers, was incomparable!
There were great Junks of red and gold, with their sails of matting spread out like fans, their masts carrying pennants, and their prows rounded and made to imitate the head of a gigantic fish with goggle eyes; all sorts of boats, sampans, and rafts, supporting tents of silk which looked like floating summer-houses! All laden to the water's edge with a gay and noisy crowd, and with bands of music and singers, who played and sang by turns.
Salvos of artillery, louder than thunder, burst forth when the King appeared, and the people gave such a deafening shout that I should have died of fright, had I not learned by this time to permit nothing to startle me.
The vessel which was to convey us to India lay at the wharf with steam up, and splendidly decorated.
It was here we were to part.
The King and the Bride and Groom descended from their elephants. The Mandarins formed a circle; and all the people kept silence.