HALL OF RECEPTION, 387 



We were conducted from this to the " Hall of 

 Reception" for strangers, which was a small 

 room, elevated a short distance above the ground, 

 opened on ^11 sides, with an ornamental project- 

 ing roof : the ascent to it was by a rude bamboo 

 ladder, like an approach to a hay-loft ; but as the 

 rajah ascended by the same staircase, of course 

 we could not complain. On entering the room, 

 we found some chairs of European manufacture, 

 standing on four legs, but most of them minus 

 arms, backs, &c. In these we were requested to 

 seat ourselves until the rajah arrived. Some 

 coarse mats were also laid upon the floor in the 

 centre of the room — or perhaps cage would be 

 a better nomenclature than room, for it was more 

 like the latter than the former. 



We waited patiently the arrival of the rajah 

 for some time, surrounded and gazed at by 

 several old, grave-looking, bearded Moormen, 

 who remained silent, as their organs of mastica- 

 tion were almost incessantly engaged in chewing 

 the " betel," their teeth being blackened, and 

 lips become of a brick-red colour, from the use 

 of this masticatory : it is said that it is a good 

 stomachic, causing the breath to be always 

 sweet ; and the assertion may be correct, for the 

 breath of natives who are in the habit of chewing 

 the aromatic compound is agreeable ; but the 



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