IN THE ME^JANGKABAW STATES. 163 



ced near iiis Majesty, my attention was again 

 excited Ly a spectacle of a new kind. 



A larjje vase of earth, containing ligiiled 

 charcoal, was brought by the great minister 

 of state, and was set before the king. In 

 the centre of the vase, anotlier of tlie same 

 kind, containing water, was placed, and in 

 the centre of this was a candlestick w ith a 

 liglited candle. Near to tliis were two other 

 but smaller vases, one filled with flattened 

 grains of rice, having the form of small 

 white flowers, the second containing in- 

 cense. The king, sitting with his legs cross- 

 ed, began by delivering some formulary 

 which 1 did not understand; lie then made 

 several salutations towards the lighted can- 

 dle, took incense and poured it upon the 

 fire, tlirew some of the flattened pieces of 

 rice into the water, took the candle, and, 

 turning the flame towards the ground , 

 made several drops of wax fall into the 

 water, and, having moved the candle as if 



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