368 Mr Crawford's Account of the Mission to Ava. 



and in walking barefooted, or at least without shoes, across the court-yard. 

 All this we peremptorily refused, although the officers who led the procession 

 shewed us a very good example, in prostrating themselves repeatedly, by 

 throwing their bodies upon the bare ground. Upon reaching the bottom of 

 the stairs, leading to the hall of audience, we voluntarily took off our shoes, 

 passed through the long hall, and seated ourselves in front of the throne. His 

 Majesty did not keep us long waiting. After a hymn had been chaunted by a 

 band of brahmins in white, he made his appearance, upon the opening of a fold- 

 ing door behind the throne, and mounted the steps which led to the latter 

 briskly. He was in his richest dress of state, wore a crown, and held in his 

 hand the tail of a Thibet cow, which is one of the Burman regalia, and takes 

 the place of a sceptre. 



" He was no sooner seated than her Majesty, who, whether on public or pri- 

 vate occasions, is inseparable from him, presented herself in a dress equally 

 rich with his, and more fantastic. Both had on a load of rich jewels. She 

 seated herself on his Majesty's right hand. She was immediately followed 

 by the Princess, their only child, a girl about five years of age. Upon the 

 appearance of the King and Queen, the courtiers humbly prostrated them- 

 selves. The English gentlemen made a bow to each, touching the forehead 

 with the right hand. The first thing done was to read a list of certain offer- 

 ings made by the King to some temples of celebrity at the capital. The rea- 

 son for doing this Avas assigned. The temples in question were said to con- 

 tain relics of Guatama, to be representatives of his divinity, and therefore fit 

 objects of worship. His Majesty having thus discharged his religious obli- 

 gations, 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 com., 

 ing from the King. These, as far as I can recollect, were as follows : — 



" ' Are the King and Queen of England, their sons and daughters, and all 

 the nobility of the kingdom, well ? 



" ' Have the seasons been of late years propitious in England ? 



" ' How long have you been on your voyage from India to this place ?' &c. 



Betel, tobacco, and pickled tea, were after this presented to the English 

 gentlemen ; a mark of attention shewn to no one else. They afterwards re- 

 ceived 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, ar*d the spectacle was certainly not a little imposing. The 

 princes and nobility were in their court dresses, of purple velvet, with a pro- 

 fusion of lace and gold. The hall of audience is a gorgeous and elegant apart- 

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

 gilding. 



" In going through the court-yard, the white elephant and some other royal 

 curiosities were shewn to us, and we stopped for a moment to see an exhibi- 

 tion of tumblers, buffoons, and dancing girls. 



