274 NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY 



their seats. The bier Was placed on the ground opposite the 

 pulpit, the king and the other chiefs sitting by the side of it, and 

 the bearers kneeling beneath the cai*t. The service was opened 

 by an address in the native language by the Rev. Mr. Bingham ; 

 this was followed by hymns, short addresses, and prayers alter- 

 nately, by several other missionaries who were present. At the 

 conclusion of the service, which occupied about one and a half 

 hours, the procession again formed, and returned in the same 

 order to the palace, when, after a short prayer, in the native lan- 

 guage, from Mr. Bingham, the cavalcade dispersed. 



