THE STATE APARTMENTS. 14? 



of overpowering loudness. The native gamelang 

 was a very large one, and all the various instru- 

 ments of great size and power, while the Euro- 

 pean band consisted of almost every kind of 

 trumpet and brass musical instrument. The 

 state apartments consisted of a great irregularly 

 shaped hall, which resembled a pandopo in struc- 

 ture, being, in fact, only several contiguous roofs, 

 supported on pillars and square masses of brick- 

 work, the spaces between which were entirely open 

 below. The roofs were of that structure which is 

 common in the east, rising by successive steps to the 

 centre, looking on each slope like the under side of 

 a staircase. From the centre of each roof, or com- 

 partment of the hall, hung a large chandelier, while 

 handsome lamps were suspended in all directions. 

 The floor was matted, and occupied by several 

 tables, sofas, and chairs, while the pillars or pieces 

 of wall were covered with French mirrors, prints, 

 and ornaments, and opal vases with similar nick- 

 nacks and drawing-room tovs lav scattered about on 

 small slabs and tables. Sofas and chairs were now 

 arranged in a horse-shoe shape in the first compart- 

 ment of the hall, and the Sultan taking the middle 

 place, with Captain Blackwood on one side and the 

 Resident on the other, we all sat down according to 

 our rank, and were served with tea and cakes. 

 About a dozen of the Sultan's sons were present, 

 two of whom were in Dutch uniforms, holding com- 

 missions in that service : the youngest was a very 



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