290 COCHINCHINA. 
" rich nor gay/' Of Eastern nations this is particularly true, 
where there are but two descriptions of men, the governors 
and the governed. One amusement, however, would have 
proved highly interesting, with which, it seems, the Sove- 
reigns of Cochinchina usually entertain foreign ambassadors : 
this is an excursion into the forests to hunt the elephant, the 
tyger, or the buffalo^ on which occasion they usually cele- 
brate the royal feast of elephants. Hence it has been said 
that the Cochinchinese eat elephants ; but it is probable that 
the magnitude of the object marks the peculiarity of the fes- 
tival rather than the delicacy of the food, which I imagine 
nmst be extremely coarse. In the forests of Cochinchina and 
neighbouring countries these animals are supposed to be of a 
laro;er size than in any other part of the world. The first I 
ever saw were at Turon, and their appearance made a very 
strong impression on ni}^ mind. I may safely say that the 
elephants of Cochinchina, the peak of 'J eneriffe, and a storm 
at sea, are the only three objects in nature that surpassed the 
idea which my imagination had previously formed of them. 
The letter from the young King was filled with expressions 
of the high regaiii he entertained for the British nation, as a 
proof of which, it was observed, he had sent one of his officers 
of state with a small present, as he termed it, for the use of 
the ships' companies. It consisted of ten young buffalos, 
fifty hogs, and about three hundred ducks and fowls, with 
fruit, pumpkins, brinjalls, onions, and other vegetables. 
This seasonable supply of refreshments was brought in sailing 
craft, preceded by a parade of ofhcers in large row-galHes, 
gaudily painted and decorated with flags and streamers. The 
