1^2 POONAH. 
quently perceive that he gave a very elegant turn to the expressions 
he used. Among many other compHments, he expressed a wish to 
give me a fete at his country house, to which I with pleasure as- 
sented. This had been previously arranged, and was to take place 
after he had honoured me with a visit. On political subjects he 
spoke fully, and clearly, and seemed much better informed than I 
had reason to expect. After about an hour we returned to the 
Durbar. I was so extremely tired with my position, that it was 
with some difficulty I could rise, and for a few minutes was obliged 
to rest against the wall. No conversation passed after he was 
seated on the guddy. Pawn was placed before him in a large gold 
plate; on the top was a gold box, containing a parcel of the same; 
attar, rose water, and spices, were in the same line. Anund Row, the 
minister for British affairs, gave rose water, pawn and attar with 
spices to all the party, except the Colonel and me. He began at 
the lowest, contrary to the etiquette of the other Asiatic courts that 
I have visited. The Dewan gave pawn, rose water, attar, and spices 
to the Colonel ; to me he gave attar and rose water. We then arose, 
and his Highness presented me with the gold box, filled with pawn 
from his own hand. As I was to visit him at his country-house, 
the giving of presents was deferred till that time. We made our sa- 
laams and retired, the Dewans attending us to the door. We then 
returned as we came ; but the sun being set, there was no salute. 
His Highness and his brother were in plain white muslin dresses, 
without a single jewel. The Dewan of the empire had some hand- 
some flat diamonds in his turban, a necklace of emeralds, and large 
pearls, and ear-rings of gold, suspending the finest pearls I ever 
beheld. They were perfectly round and clear, and were as large 
