chap, xv.] THE RAJAH'S DAUGHTERS. 343 



boards which serves for stairs to his house. This was large, 

 well built, and lofty, with bamboo floor and glass windows. 

 The greater part of it seemed to be one large hall divided 

 by the supporting posts. Near a window sat the Queen, 

 squatting on a rough wooden arm-chair, chewing the 

 everlasting sirih and betel-nut, while a brass spittoon by 

 her side and a sirih-box in front were ready to administer 

 to her wants. The Rajah seated himself opposite to her 

 in a similar chair, and a similar spittoon and sirih-box 

 were held by a little boy squatting at his side. Two other 

 chairs were brought for us. Several young women, some 

 the Rajah's daughters, others slaves, were standing about ; a 

 few were working at frames making sarongs, but most of 

 them were idle. 



And here I might (if I followed the example of most 

 travellers) launch out into a glowing description of the 

 charms of these damsels, the elegant costumes they wore, 

 and the gold and silver ornaments with which they were 

 adorned. The jacket or body of purple gauze would 

 figure well in such a description, allowing the heaving 

 bosom to be seen beneath it, while " sparkling eyes," and 

 "jetty tresses," and "tiny feet" might be thrown in pro- 

 fusely. But, alas ! regard for truth will not permit me 

 to expatiate too admiringly on such topics, determined as 

 I am to give as far as I can a true picture of the people 

 and places I visit. The princesses were, it is true, sum- 



