388 THE RAJAH. 



discoloration of the teeth and mouth caused by its 

 use, gives a disagreeable ajDpearance to those 

 who habituate themselves to it. Whilst delayed 

 by the rajah, we were regaled by the pure and 

 refreshing juice from some green cocoa-nuts : at 

 length his highness arrived. 



He was a young man of very dark, but hand- 

 somely-formed features, (darker by two shades 

 than the Malays,) about five feet five or six 

 inches in height, of slender form, and attired in 

 the usual native Sarong ; a yellow silk Sanda- 

 long, or sash, around the waist, in which a Kris, 

 of handsome manufacture, was placed ; a close 

 Bajii, or jacket, with plated buttons in front ; 

 upon his head a turban of white cloth, without 

 any decorations ; and gold bangles around his 

 wrists and ancles : his attendants were almost all 

 Moormen, or natives of Bengal and Madras ; 

 many from the latter countries, and others, of 

 that extraction, born at this place. The rajah, 

 although born here, had the appearance of being 

 of Bengal parentage. The grave old gentlemen 

 around were the principal spokesmen on affairs 

 of business. 



It was the object of Mr. Fearon to purchase a 

 cargo of Areka-nut * for the China market, for 



* The fruit of the Areka palm is incorrectly called in 

 commerce " Betel-nut," which has occasioned mistakes ; 



