RAJAH OF JOHORE. 215 



around the head, (having the upper part ex- 

 posed,) after the Malay fashion, completed the 

 attire of this singular creature. 



' ' As much grace and dignity was displayed in 

 our reception as such a figure could show, and 

 chairs were placed by the attendants for our ac- 

 commodation. He waddled a short distance, 

 and, notwithstanding the exertion was so extra- 

 ordinary as to cause large drops of perspiration 

 to roll down his face, conferred a great honour 

 upon us by personally accompanying us to see a 

 tank he had just formed for fish, and with a 

 flight of steps, for the convenience of bathing. 

 After viewing this, he returned to his former 

 station, when he reseated himself, with a dignity 

 of look and manner surpassing all description ; 

 and we took our departure, after a brief com- 

 mon-place conversation. 



" I remarked, that, on his approach, the na- 

 tives squatted down, as a mark of respect : a 

 custom similar to which prevails in several of the 

 Polynesian islands." 



The buildings of his highness and followers 

 were now in some degree improved, being sur- 

 rounded by a neat chunamed wall, and the en- 

 trance was by a gateway of brick, which had 

 been only recently completed. Since my last 

 visit his highness had caused a house to be con- 

 structed after the style of the European residents 



