144 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XVII. 



stantially thatched with rush matting, and exhibit- 

 ing in its economy the most philosophic indifference 

 to cleanliness and comfort. A low step led up to 

 the entrance, which was very confined, and provided 

 with a sliding wicket. The floor was sunk to the 

 depth of three feet below the surface of the ground, 

 and two more steps led down to it. The furniture 

 consisted exclusively of calabashes of beer ranged 

 round the wall. 



Thirty ladies only of the imperial seraglio were 

 present on this eventful occasion, and they remained 

 standing round the king, who was seated in the 

 open air. They were generally swarthy and some- 

 what en-hon-2wint . Many were even obese, with 

 enormous pendant bosoms, and their heads were 

 shaved, a small tuft of hair only being left on the 

 crown, which was decorated with feathers. Their 

 dresses consisted of short black kilts of leather, the 

 fur worn inside, and the outside rubbed with some 

 hard substance and charcoal until it had acquired 

 the appearance of black clotted wool. These were 

 studded with brass ornaments and a profusion of 

 beads of divers colours ; they had besides a vast ac- 

 cumulation of these ornaments upon their bodies. 

 Some wore blue from top to toe, others were en- 

 veloped in one mass of red, the endless variety of 

 patterns in which they were disposed having doubt- 

 less emanated from the inventive brain and prolific 

 fancy of his Majesty, a large portion of whose valu- 

 able time is passed in devising and guperintending 

 the construction of ornaments for the Harem. 



