No. 62.— 1909.] 



DUTCH EMBASSY. 



205 



lighted flambeaux, till we approached the first gate ( Wahalkada) 

 of the Maligawa, where we were met by Hulangomuwe Rala- 

 hami, the Second Adigar, and the Disavas of Sabaragamuwa , 

 Seven Korales, and Four Korales. The former requested us 

 to wait a little while till the arrival of the Ambassador could 

 be announced to His Majesty and his commands obtained, 

 whereupon the Ambassador submitted that it would be 



considered a great mark of favour if , the Secretary, 



and Philip Philipsz* who had come as second Interpreter, were 

 also permitted to have the honour of appearing before His 

 Majesty ; which matter too the Adigar promised to submit to 

 His Majesty for his commands. He entered the Maligawa 

 and returned in a short time with His Majesty's command for 

 the Ambassador to appear before him with the letter. At the 

 same time he informed me that the Secretary and second Inter- 

 preter could wait in the neighbourhood of the Hall of Audience 

 [Dakina Sdldwa) pending further instructions. Thereupon the 

 Ambassador received the letter from the hands of the Appuhamis 

 and placed it on his own head and climbing up the stone steps 

 and crossing the maluwa of the Maligawa approached in front 

 of the Hall of Audience. There we drew up, I taking my 

 position on the Ambassador's right, while the two Adigars and 

 the Disavas of Matale, Sabaragamuwa, Seven Korales, Four 

 Korales, and Udapalata, with Dehigama Nanayakkara Mohot- 

 tala, grouped themselves on either side. 



After a short pause the seven curtains were drawn aside and 

 revealed His Gracious Majesty seated on his throne. Imme- 

 diately the Ambassador sank on one knee, while the rest of 

 the chiefs and I prostrated ourselves six times ; we then 

 entered the Hall of Audience repeating the same salutation 

 at three places. On reaching the edge of the carpet which 

 was spread in front of the Throne, His Majesty commanded 

 that the letter should be presented, while the Nanayakkara 

 Mohottala and I remained where we were. Thereupon the 

 rest of the chiefs advanced with the Ambassador, and as he 



* Subsequently Wijeyekon Panditaratna, Maha Mudaliyar (Gold 

 medal from Governor Van Gollenesse, March 5, 1751). The family is 

 now extinct. 

 Q2 



