Chap. XV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 125 



he termed that lady, and the word turner isho 

 (coniphments) he grinned again, and clapped me 

 familiarly on the back, exclaiming as before " Tanta, 

 tanta, tanta V He now rose abruptly, big with 

 some great conception, and made signs to the 

 Parsee to approach and assist him on with theYoat ; 

 habited in which he strutted several times up and 

 down, viewing his grotesque figure in the glass 

 with evident self-applause. He then desired Mo- 

 hanycom to put it on and turn about, that he might 

 see if it fitted behind ; and this knotty point settled 

 to his unqualifieil satisfaction, he suddenly cast oft' 

 his tails, and appearing in jjuris naturalibus, com- 

 manded all hands to assist in the difficidt under- 

 taking^ of shakinor him into the tartan trowsers. It 

 was indeed no easy work to perform — but once 

 accomplished, his jNIajesty cut a noble figure. The 

 Parsee wore a pair of red silk braces, which he 

 presently demanded, observing that they would 

 supply the place of those that Mrs. Moffat had for- 

 gotten to send. Shortly after this, he directed an 

 attendant, who was crouching at his feet, to take 

 every thing to his kraal ; and resuming his so- 

 lemnity and his seat, tea was brought in. A num- 

 ber of gourds filled with ontchnalla, or beer, were 

 placed by the king's orders before the assembly, 

 who, passing them from one to the other, emptied 

 them on the spot. Richardson and myself drank 

 tea out of two battered plated goblets, whilst the 

 king's mess was served in a flowered china bowl, 

 as being a more attractive vessel, and less likely to 



