B ATA VIA BAZAARS. 209 



It requires a healthy appetite to go through this course 

 without flinching, especially as a roast, pudding, 

 and cheese follow the curry. The meriu of these re- 

 pasts, although simple enough, is so very peculiar that 

 I could not resist giving it in detail. A cup of coffee 

 follows, and a good Manilla, with the cry of " api, 

 cassi-api," — a light, bring a light, — all round the table, 

 the boy is quickly at your side presenting a long match 

 prepared of sandal-wood, and throwing off a delicious 

 aroma. After the exertion of a smoke the siesta be- 

 comes inevitable, and perfect silence reigns for the next 

 two or three hours ; by that time the atmosphere 

 has become somewhat cooler, and a drive is ventured 

 upon. Those who have business to attend to drive 

 in the direction of the port ; others, like myself, wend 

 their steps to the native bazaars, mostly kept by 

 Chinamen. They are on a modest scale, and nothing 

 very remarkable for sale either in goods or live stock. 

 Of the latter, some shops are filled with bird-cages, 

 others with monkeys, cats, and dogs. I inspected 

 silk goods, embroidery, and slippers, and bought a 

 few specimens, also a very handsome embroidered hand- 

 kerchief made of pine-apple fibre, say from the leaves, 

 resembling the finest cambric. Here, as elsewhere in 

 the East, a good deal of haggling is necessary before 

 one strikes a bargain. Also large flat rice ladles of 



P 



