1836.] States in the Interior of Malacca. 69 



The Governor, and Brigadier Wilson, were received by these chiefs 

 with every demonstration of welcome and respect, conducted into the 

 fort, and ushered by Raja Ali into a large* temporary building, appa- 

 rently erected for the occasion, opposite the Raja's primitive palace of 

 thatch. 



A salute from the fort jinjals was then fired, much to the discomfi- 

 ture of one of the pieces, which, possibly from not being accustomed 

 to powder, burst into divers rust-incrusted fragments. 



Refreshments were served in, on a large flat tray ; they consisted 

 principally of dried fruits, dates, conserves, and sweetmeats, in which, 

 as usual, sugar and oil were manifestly predominant. These were 

 placed on small China dishes, and a number of minute cups of the 

 same material, filled with the steaming infusion of Souchong, fresh from 

 China, sans sucre et sans lait, were warmly pressed upon us. 



In the evening, Raja Ali introduced two antique ladies, dressed 

 with almost more than Spartan simplicity. The one his mother, the 

 Princess Dowager Tuanku Putih, and the other, his venerated kins- 

 woman, his aunt. These ogresses of high degree would have rivalled 

 in flow of language and exuberance of gesticulation the most vivacious 

 dowagers, date 1770, Madame du Dbpfand always excepted. 



Tuanku Putih is represented to be a woman of strong masculine 

 mind, and to have considerable influence over her son Raja An. 



The fort of Bander consists of low mud walls, now covered with 

 grass, inclosing a space of ground about 80 yards square. 



Around and outside of the walls runs a strong and high palisade. 

 Six high cavaliers of wood, roofed in with atap, overlook the faces of 

 the work. On each of their platforms two iron guns are mounted, 

 except on that over the gate-way, where there is a serviceable brass 

 gun, bearing the mark of the Dutch East India Company ; the date 

 1756, A. D. and the maker's name, Peter Seest. 



Besides the 12 guns in the cavaliers, were 18 or 20 jinjals lying 

 about the parapets. The houses of the Raja and his personal attend- 

 ants are within the area comprised by the fort walls. 



After passing the night on mattresses and pillows, covered with dirty 

 red silk, embroidered in gold, and which had evidently been abstracted 

 from the Zenana, the party left Bander early on the following 

 morning. 



The Governor and Brigadier Wilson proceeded en route to Malacca 

 via Pddas and the Lingie river. Lieut. Balfour, of the Madras Artil- 

 lery, and myself, returned by Brissli, to camp, which we reached the 

 same evening. 



L 



