THE MALDIVES 387 



party went ashore to pay a visit to the Sultan. They 

 were shown into the throne room paneled with polished 

 teak, and furnished with a few teak chairs, and a gor- 

 geous gilded armchair. The walls were decorated with 

 a number of phonographs on shelves, and a quantity of 

 cheap clocks ! Presently the Sultan came in, a striking 

 and intelligent figure, dressed in embroidered green 

 satin, with a green brocade turban crowned with a gold 

 aigrette. Agassiz presented his letters and offered some 

 presents that he had brought especially for the occasion. 

 The Sultan asked a few questions, through his Prime 

 Minister and interpreter, in regard to the objects of the 

 expedition. When the audience was closed, and the rest 

 of the party had left, the rigors of court etiquette were 

 relaxed, and the Sultan consented to defeat Agassiz at 

 a game of chess. In the evening the party again went 

 on shore and entertained the court with a display of 

 fireworks and some lantern slides ! 



The next day the Sultan with his brother came on 

 board in full state in the court barge. She was manned 

 by twenty oarsmen ; on a raised poop in the stern the 

 Sultan and his brother stood under white umbrellas, 

 surrounded by their suite. Attended by two fan-holders, 

 and a man carrying his shield and another his sword, 

 the Sultan inspected the ship, and showed a most intel- 

 ligent interest in the sounding machine and the appa- 

 ratus for towing and dredging. At the end of the visit, 

 Agassiz gave him a copy of " Three Cruises of the 

 Blake " and a revolver ! 



Before the Amra left, the Sultan gave Agassiz a cir- 

 cular letter to all the chiefs of the group, and furnished 

 him with an interpreter, and a representative in the per- 

 son of one of his ministers. The latter proved a doubt- 



