178 VISIT FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY. 
quarter of a yard below the sleeves. His bald 
head was covered by a red night-cap, which, to 
show his knowledge of the customs of civilized 
nations, he raised a little on his entrance. 
He uttered, as he came towards me, the word 
Jorona (good day), stretched out his great 
hand to me, and then, without waiting for my 
invitation, seated himself on the ground close to 
my feet, with his legs crossed in the Turkish 
fashion. The Queen had sent him to inform 
me, that she was curious to see the Commander 
of a Russian frigate, and would gladly have 
entertained me at her court; but as she feared 
I would not absent myself so long from Mata- 
rai, she had resolved to pay me a visit accom- 
panied by the whole Royal Family. The ambas- 
sador added, that these exalted personages, who 
had travelled by water, would soon arrive, and 
that he must hasten to receive them; then 
rising, he pressed my hand, repeated his jorona, 
touched his night-cap, and disappeared. 
{ had scarcely time to prepare for the recep- 
tion of my illustrious guests, when the concourse 
of people hastening to the shore announced 
their approach. A man soon appeared as avant 
