were all placed on a gilt dish. The sugar was put in 
the tea-pot, according to the custom of the country, a 
method not very convenient, as it compels you most 
frequently to take it either too much or too little sweet- 
ened. 
The sultan repeated to m'e several times indications 
of his regard to me. He desired me to produce my in- 
struments, and examined them one after another with 
much attention; asking me an explanation of every thing 
that was new to him. He showed great pleasure in 
what he saw, and commanded me to make some astro- 
nomical observations in his presence. To satisfy him 
I took two heights of the sun with my multiplying cir- 
cle; I showed him several astronomical tables and lo- 
garithms which I had brought with me, in order to 
convince him that these instruments would be of no 
use to any one who did not understand these books 
and many others. He was very much surprised at the 
sight of so many figures. I then offered him my instru- 
ments; his answer was, that I ought to keep them as I 
only knew how to use them, and that we should have 
plenty of days and nights to amuse ourselves in con- 
templating the sky. I saw from these and the former 
expressions that his intention was to keep me near his 
person, and to attach me to his service; he added that 
he desired to see my other instruments. I proposed to 
bring them the next morning, and took my leave. 
The next day I attended the sultan, and went into his 
chamber; he was laying on a small mattrass and cush- 
ion; his high fakih and two of his favourites were sitting 
before him on a small carpet. The moment he saw me 
he raised himself upright, and ordered another small 
blue velvet cushion, like his own, to be brought for me; 
he had it placed at his side, and made me sit down. 
