Observations of the lafe Missia?i to Ava. 15 



gentlemen made a bow to each, touching the forehead with 

 the right hand. The first thing done was to read a list of 

 certain offerings made by the king to some temples of cele- 

 brity at the capital. The reason for doing this was assigned. 

 The temples in question were said to contain relics of Gau- 

 tama, to be representatives of his divinity, and therefore fit 

 objects of worship. His majesty having thus discharged his 

 religious obligations, received in his turn the devotions and 

 homage of the princes and chiefs. 



The king did not address a word in person to the officers 

 of the mission, but an Atwenwoon, or privy-councillor, read 

 a short list of questions, as if coming from the king. These, 

 as far as I can recollect, were as follows : 



" Are the king and queen of England, tbeir sons and 

 daughters, and all the nobility of the kingdom well .? 



" Have the seasons been of late years propitious in Eng- 

 land ? 



" How long have you been on your voyage from India to 

 this place .?" &c. * 



Betle, tobacco, and pickled tea, were after this presented 

 to the English gentlemen, a mark of attention shown to no 

 one else. They afterwards received each a small ruby, a silk 

 dress, and some lackered boxes. This being over, and a few 

 titles bestowed and proclaimed throughout the hall, the king 

 and queen retired, the courtiers prostrating themselves as 

 when they entered. Their majesties had sat in all about 

 three quarters of an hour. The Burman court, upon the 

 present occasion, appeared in all the pomp and splendour of 

 which it is capable, and the spectacle was certainly not a little 

 imposing. The princes and nobility were in their court dres- 

 ses, of purple velvet, with a profusion of lace and gold. The 

 hall of audience is a gorgeous and elegant apartment support- 

 ed by ninety-six pillars, and the whole is one blaze of rich 

 gilding. 



In going through the oourt-yard the white elephant, and 

 some other royal curiosities were shown to us, and we stopped 

 for a moment to see an exhibition of tumblers, buffoons, and 

 dancing girls. 



After the audience the gentlemen of the mission were oc- 



