260 



VISIT TO THE PALACE. 



encumbered with the usual mean knicknacks, 

 Erench clocks and bureaux, cheap prints, gaudy 

 china, and pots of neglected artificial flowers, 

 supposed to adorn the window-sills ; nor, after 

 the fashion of Zanzibarian grandees, are the 

 sides lined with seamen's chests, stuffed full of 

 arms, watches, trinkets, cashmere shawls, medi- 

 cines, and other such c chow chow.' 



The Prince received us at the Sadr, or top of 

 the room, with the usual courtesy. He was then 

 a young man, whose pleasing features and very 

 light complexion generally resembled those of 

 his father. This is said to have been the case 

 with the whole family. We found the 6 divan ' 

 of Egypt and Turkey unaccountably absent, 

 banished by the comfortless black-wood 6 Kursi 1 

 of Bombay. After a few minutes' conversation 

 two chairs were placed before us, bearing a tray 

 of sweetmeats, biscuits, and glasses of sherbet ; 

 of these we ate and drank a mouthful in accept- 

 ance of hospitality, and we were duly pressed to 

 eat. Lemonade and confitures take the place of 

 strong waters amongst Europeans, and of the 

 cocoa-nut milk, the mangoes, and the oranges of 

 humbler establishments. Pipes, however, though 

 offered by the late Sayyid to distinguished Euro- 

 pean guests, are never introduced, in deference 



