584 Journal of the Embassy 
fired off, are simply placed on the ground, while the muzzle 
is elevated by the piece of wood I mentioned. Immediately 
opposite the street leading to the place of audience stood a 
very fine Banyan-tree, around which a sort of platform had 
been placed, where the priests of Buddou were accustomed to 
perform their sacrifices, and the chief people to take their 
stations at any occasional assembly. As the Adigar and his 
train were to pass that way, several of our officers and sol- 
diers planted themselves on this elevated situation in order to 
have the better view of the procession. The Adigar however, 
chancing to observe them above him, expressed great indigna- 
tion, and desired that they should be ordered down, as no one 
ought in his presence to be placed higher than himself, who 
personated a king with whom none is on a level, and before 
whom, as the descendant of the golden sun, all men should 
fall prostrate. Before the Adigar were carried several flags 
and streamers, with people playing on a variety of musical in- 
struments peculiar to their country, and a number of fellows 
cracking immense whips so as to produce a most stunning noise, 
while they continued running about like so many madmen. 
While the General and the Adigar were engaged in conference, 
I had an opportunity, by means of a Malay prince who in- 
terpreted for me, of conversing with some of the principal 
Candians, who waited at the outside of the choultry. They 
seemed a handsomer race of people than our Cinglese; their 
manners v/ere more courteous, and their conversation more po- 
lite. They were as eager to obtain some knowledge of our cus- 
toms, as we were to be informed of theirs; and they examined 
several articles of our dress with great minuteness. They were 
not a little surprised on Captain Vilant of the 19th regiment, 
