212 THE governor's RECEPTION, 



circumlocution. At first he held that the letter would 

 have to be forwarded, accompanied by a statement 

 naming- the object of my visit. This I overruled by 

 pleading want of time; at last, little by little, con- 

 cessions having been made on both sides, and after a 

 lengthy consultation with his chief, the secretary 

 informed me that I might present myself at the general 

 reception His Excellency was going to hold at an early 

 hour on the following morning, when an audience would 

 be granted, provided I presented myself either in 

 uniform or in full dress ; neither of which I was 

 prepared to do, having left my heavy luggage at 

 Singapore containing all that might be useful in the 

 present emergency, and never dreaming that a dress- 

 suit could be required in my rambles here. It required 

 a fresh conference to settle that point, and at last I 

 carried the day by promising to be attired in the best 

 clothes my present wardrobe afforded in order that 

 His Excellency's dignity might not suffer by so serious 

 an indecorum on my part. 



At 9.30 a.m. I proceeded in state, this time to the 

 principal entrance of the palace, the verandah of which 

 I found already filled with gentlemen in sable tail- 

 coats and white cravat, with a sprinkling of military 

 and naval uniforms. Tea was handed round, and about 

 half an hour having elapsed, servants in scarlet livery 



