CHAP. XV. THE king's FAN-BEARER. 295 



touch*, or perhaps to kiss. A stand, bearing neck- 

 laces, is placed before him, and by his side a table, 

 upon which is a bag, probably the treasure for 

 paying the troops ; and behind are the officers of 

 his household bearing tlie emblems of their office. 

 The office of fan-bearer to the king was a highly 

 honourable post, which none but the royal princes, 

 or the sons of the first nobility, were permitted to 

 hold.t These constituted a principal part of his 

 staff; and in the field they either attended on the 

 monarch to receive his orders, or were despatched 

 to take the command of a division ; some having 

 the rank of generals of cavalry, others of heavy in- 

 fantry or archers, according to the service to which 

 they belonged. They had the privilege of pre- 

 senting the prisoners to the king, after the victory 

 had been gained, announcing at the same time the 

 amount of the enemy's slain, and the booty that 

 had been taken ; and those whose turn it was to 

 attend upon the king's person as soon as the enemy 

 had been vanquished resigned their command to 

 the next in rank, and returned to their post of fan- 

 bearers. The office was divided into two grades, — 

 those who served on the right, and left, hand of the 

 king ; the most honourable post being given to 

 those of the higliest rank, or to those most esteemed 

 for their services. A certain number were always 

 on duty; and they were required to attend during 

 the grand solemnities of the temple, and on every 



* In the East an inferior merely touches the hand of one to whom 

 he would show great respect, and then kisses his own. 

 f Vide Vol. I. p. 66. 72. 297. 



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