EXTRAVAGANT ROYAL TITLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1689, 21 January 1888, Page 3

EXTRAVAGANT ROYAL TITLES.

Despotic rule in all ages and all parts of the world has been associated with the assumption by rulers of titles fantastic and absurd in their extravagance. In most Oriental countries the king was formerly regarded not oiily as a monarch to be obeyed hut as a semi-Deity to be revered. The chiefs of Natchez were regarded Sy their people as the children of the un and always bore the name of their father.

The King of Quitem was called “The Great Lion,” and his fourfooted compatriots were not allowed to bo killed except at the royal huntings. His Majesty of Quiterva, was very proud of the title, although he would scarcely have cared to be called the “ King of Beasts.” The King of Monomotapa is saluted by such flattering titles as “ Lord of the Sun and Moon,” “ Great Magician,” “Great Thief.” The ancient kings of Arracan assumed the following titles of honor: “ Emperor of Arracan, possessor of the white elephant and the two earrings, and in virtue of this possession legitimate heir of Pegu and Bratna; lord of the twelve provinces of Brazil, and of the twelve kings who place their heads under his feet ” His Majesty of Ava assumed the titles of “ God ” “ the King of Kings,” “ the Master of the Sea,” “the Brother of the Sun,” and “ the King of the four and twenty Umbrellas.” Two dozen enormous “ gamps ” were always carried before him as symbols of his dignity. Yery singular and wonderfully voluminous were the titles of the ancient kings of Achem. We have not space for more than a few of them. “ Sovereign of the Universe,” “He whoso body is Luminous as the Sun,” “He whose eye glitters like the Morning Star,” “ A King as Spiritual as the Ball is Round,” and “Ho who when he Rises Shades all his People.” The ancient kings of Ceylon were known by the name Dewo (God). Among their extraordinary titles were “ the Protector of Religion; of surpassing excellence; exceeding the moon, the unexpanding jessamine buds, and the stars; whose feet are as fragrant to the noses of other kings as flowers to bees.”

The Shah of Persia is known as “ The Branch of Honor,” “ The Mirror of Virtue,” and The Rose of Delight.”

Another boxing match has been arranged between Laing, the champion of New Zealand, and Matthews, recently defeated by him at Wanganui. The fight will take place at the Otahuhu racecourse on Thursday, March 29th nest. Hot. Mother Gabriel and a party of nine Dominican nnns were passengers from Sydney by the Waihora which arrived at Auckland on Wednesday, They proceed to DunaJin, where their headquarter* are to he, Tb® p»rty came out from England by the Origabu, The Rev. Mother Gabriel originally came to the colony with Bishop Moran, and waa for many years Superioress of the Dunedin Dominican Convent.