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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XXI. 



knelt on one of the steps leading to the throne, His Majesty 

 took the letter in his own royal hand and commanded the 

 chiefs to place .it with its wrappings and the silver tray on 

 his right, which they accordingly did. The Ambassador then 

 immediately removed his hat and saluted according to custom, 

 and moved backwards with the chiefs till he reached the middle 

 of the carpet, where he remained kneeling on one knee, On 

 His Majesty's command the Nanayakkara Mohottala and I 

 stepped on the carpet and made our prostration. 



His Majesty thereupon inquired if his faithful, trusty, and 

 excellent Governador was in sound health ; to which the 

 Ambassador humbly submitted that at the time of his leaving 

 Colombo His Excellency was in good health and prepared to 

 render faithful and loyal service according to the commands 

 of His Majesty. At this His Majesty was graciously pleased 

 to express his pleasure and proceeded to make similar inquiries 

 regarding the Members of his Council and the Ambassador 

 himself, and the treatment which had been accorded to him 

 since his arrival within His Majesty's dominions. To these 

 questions the Ambassador gave suitable replies, expressing 

 his gratitude for His Majesty's great condescension in deigning 

 to make these inquiries regarding him. 



His Majesty expressed his satisfaction and stated that the 

 unusual delay which had occurred in giving him audience was 

 entirely due to some matters at the Maha Wasala and for no 

 other reason. Thereupon, in accordance with His Excellency's 

 orders, the Ambassador declared that he always awaited with 

 all devotion His Majesty's gracious commands, as he was 

 His Majesty's humble and zealous servant, and he begged to 

 tender his most loyal thanks to His Majesty for the attention 

 and regard with which he had throughout been treated within 

 His Majesty's realms. He was then permitted to sit down as 

 was convenient to him ; which after expressing his humble 

 thanks and again obtaining permission he proceeded to do. 

 His Majesty then inquired if His Excellency had entrusted to 

 him any message which he was to convey by word of mouth. 

 On the Ambassador replying in the affirmative, and begging for 

 permission to communicate the same, permission was granted ; 

 whereupon in the name of His Excellency and of the 



