66 



A VISIT TO THU INDIAN AJlCHlrELAOO. 



consisteti of hrs Grand Vmer, the members of the rojal 

 family, and tho great Datus and officers of State. Behind 

 these stood the guards and attendants, dressed in sito, 

 tho colonrs being according to the faacy of their 

 respective masters. 



The Sultan gave us a gracious receptioiij shaking 

 Itands with each officer aa he was presented. This 

 ceremony over, cliairs were placed for Sir James and Mb 

 suite ; wliile those of om- party, who could not get seats, 

 formed a semicircle on the other side of the table. The 

 scene was striking and gay. 



The Sultan is a young-looking man, but with a dull 

 and yacant expression, produced by the too free use of 

 opium : his Hps were red with the niisture of betel-uut 

 and cere-leaf, which he chewed. 



He %vas clrcssed in ricli silks, red and green the 

 predominant colours. A large jewel sparkled in hia 

 turbauj and he wore jewels also profusely on his person. 



The hilt of his kris, the great distinguishing ornament 

 of all Malays, was beautifully decorated with gold wire, 

 curiously twisted in. Immediately behind the jSultau, in 

 closest attendance on his person, stood the cup-bearer, a 

 fine young man dressed in green silk, who held in hia ' 

 hand a purple finger-glass, which wa.s constantly held to 

 his royal niftster's mouth, to receive the filthy-looking 

 mixture which is in such favour with these people,^ 

 composed of the juice of the betel leaf, with the areca-nut 

 and gambler. The other personages composing the circla 



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