and cattle forced into the mountains; as I fhall have occafion to mention more par-ticularly hereafter.
About two in the afternoon the Sultan fent for us ; the meflengers enquired whatprefents we had brought, of which we informed them. There is no approachingempty handed ; and therefore care ought to be taken to begin fo as the flock mayhold out. Our ignorance of this cuflom was of ill confequenee to us. They broughthandfome bafkets, with covers of wrought filk, into which we put the prefents.We went in our boats along with the meflengers, who carried the prefents. Weput ourfelves in as good habits, and as much order as we could, knowing what effecta good outward appearance has on thofe people. We marched up, with our trumpetsfounding before us, to his council-houfe, which is built on ftilts or pofls, about fevenor eight feet from the ground, to fecure it againft the overflowing feafon : but thenthe land was firm and dry, covered with very high grafs, which was ordered to bemowed down for the greater conveniency of our walking thither. This houfe is openon all fides, and covered on the top, being about fifty yards in length, and thirty inbreadth. At the weft end was placed feveral of their muficians, who played on all-forts of that country mufick. In the middle flood the Sultan ’s throne, being a richgilt wooden chair, and over it a large filk canopy wrought with gold and filver. Thishoufe Hands without the bounds of the Sultan ’s palace. The reafon why it is fo openis, becaufe all affairs of a public nature, wherein the people in general are concerned,are tranfacled there ; and perfons of all conditions and capacities are allowed theliberty of coming upon the flage, keeping their refpective diftance. Six or eight gunsof about one thoufand weight a piece were placed round the houfe, but without anyfhelter or battlements, or fcarce carriages. By the time we got to it there were abovefive hundred people in it, who were ordered to {land clear to make room for ourentrance: the Prince of Negarree met us, and complimented us very civilly to fiedown crofs-legged on a carpet that was laid over againft the throne, within ten ortwelve feet of it. Many thoufands of people were round about us both on theflage, and in the fields about the houfe, to fee and hear what was concluded. Wedid not fit long before we perceived the Sultan coming out of his palace, who is a man°f a very good prefence, and honeft mien, but as fwarthy as the reft, drefled in aclofe-bodied waiftcoat, having breeches not unlike rope-dancers, and fcarlet ftockings,.vv ith flippers, a loofe China atlice gown, wrought with gold and filver, with a rich dag-ger fet with diamonds in his girdle. Before him were carried in men’s arms two youngbeautiful children, drefled very prettily, the one in fcarlet, the other in yellow rich;filks, with turbans. They were guarded by twelve men, armed with blunderbufles^nd mufkets, and as many more, with their own country weapons, viz. fampits orhollow trunks, with bayonets fixed to the end of them, and fhort daggers or creicesduck in their girdles ; the latter are worn by men and boys, rich and poor: with theiumpits they fhoot poifoned arrows, and they are very dangerous weapons. Upon theKing’s mounting the flage, or council-houfe, all his fubjects lifted up their hands in apraying pofture, and bowed down their faces to the ground, as they fate crofs-legged.We “immediately flood up and bowed according to the European cuflom, which is lookedu pon there as a great affront; for none muff; ftand in his prefence, or near him : buten '■bey approach him to deliver any thing, they go creeping almoft double j andw . 'bey withdraw, they creep back in the fame manner. We foon perceived oure ’ excu fed ourfelves, and he as readily forgave us, being naturally a man of admi-a ie temper, good, juft and merciful.