No. 62. — 1909.] dutch embassy. 



211 



it was in perfect order, begging them at the same time to 

 inform His Majesty that he was prepared at all times to comply 

 with his commands, and that he considered it a high honour 

 that he was thus enabled to be of assistance in this matter. 

 They promised to comply with his request, and sat down and 

 were served with betel and arecanut ; when they also inquired 

 regarding the manner of feeding and bathing the animals , and 

 the treatment to be adopted in case of their illness. The 

 Ambassador thereupon made inquiries from the person who had 

 come in charge of them and enlightened them on these points, 

 After which they returned being sprinkled with rose water and 

 escorted back the usual distance. 



Information was also received that the animals had been 

 paraded before His Majesty that morning ; when he had caused 

 the saddle which had been brought from Colombo to be placed 

 on the back of one and a man to mount the same. His Majesty 

 had been pleased to express his pleasure with the animals, 

 declaring that they could be employed for carrying a drum 

 to be beaten when he was on a journey, and had commanded 

 that they should be carefully attended to in a separate pantiya. 

 A letter had also been prepared by the Ambassador to be 

 despatched to His Excellency this day ; but as no permission 

 was received it was not despatched till the afternoon of the 

 next day, which was Sunday. 



Nothing of importance happened till the 21st, on which 

 day at half -past two o'clock Balagalle* Padikara Mohottala 

 and the Walgampaye and Pattipola Muhandirams arrived 

 with His Majesty's commands to escort the Ambassador to 

 his second audience. The Ambassador after due thanks 

 prepared to start immediately, advancing from Ganoruwa, 

 with all the chiefs, at four o'clock. After crossing the river 

 we reached the capital at six o'clock, when we were met by 

 the First Adigar and the Disava of the Four Korales by His 

 Majesty's command. We advanced accompanied by numer- 

 ous standards and banners between files of armed lascorins 

 till we reached the gate of the Maligawa , where we were met by 

 the Second Adigar, the Disavas of Sabaragamuwa, Three 



* In 1741 Diwa Nilame of the Maligawa. -H, W. C, 



