CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 149 



gold and silver thread, and encrusted with 

 jewels ; his tusks are first twisted round with 

 white muslin, and are then placed in gold 

 sheaths, each sheath having a magnificent ruby, 

 set at its base. At each side of this elephant 

 walks another of nearly, but not quite equal 

 size, these have scarlet face-cloths, having a gold 

 image of Buddha, and other gold devices 

 fastened to the cloth : they are each bestridden 

 by a Kandyan chief in white, with his lap 

 full of flowers, which quite scent the air, and 

 by three or four other men bearing silver gilt 

 umbrellas, and stiff banners, something like an 

 old-fashioned banner screen. After these 

 comes a native band, tom-toms, conch shells, 

 and pipes, (not unlike bag-pipes in sound) ; 

 then a group of dancers, who dance before 

 each of the Kandyan chiefs, reminding one of 

 the men who danced before David. These 

 chiefs wear most extraordinary costumes, 

 first a pair of white full calico or muslin 

 trousers coming down tight to the ankles, and 

 finished off with a little frill. Over this a 

 kind of white shirt, and above all, yards and 

 yards of white muslin twisted round and round 

 that part of the body which Englishmen try 

 to reduce to slim proportions ; fashions vary, 

 and here evidently a vast girth is admired. Over 

 the white full shirt a holero jacket of silk or 

 satin, embroidered in gold or silver, is worn. 



