403 
to the Court of Candy. 
and a viranda or balcony, in which a number of the king’s 
guards and several of the chief men in waiting were stationed. 
After passing this, and descending by another flight of steps, 
a large square surrounded by a high wall afforded a station for 
some more of the guards. At the opposite side stood a large 
arched gate-way, leading into an inner court where the king 
and his principal officers of state have their residence. In this 
inner division the king kept his own body guards, who were 
composed of Malays and Malabars. These troops are armed 
with swords, spears, and shields ; and on them the king seems 
to place his chief dependence in the event of any sudden com- 
motion or alarm. 
On the right hand of this inner court stood an open arch, 
through which was the entrance to the hall of audience. This 
state room was a long viranda with alternate arches and pillars 
along its sides. From this structure, as well as from the ap- 
pearance of the roof and ceiling, it bore a considerable re- 
semblance to the aisle of a church. The pillars and arches 
were adorned with muslin flowers, and ornaments made of the 
plantain leaf, which had a very pretty effect. At the further 
end of the hall, and under one of the larger arches, was 
placed a kind of platform or throne, covered with a carpet, and 
surrounded with steps. Here the king sat in state, A small 
partition raised in front concealed his feet and the lower part 
of his body from view. Below the arches on each side of the 
hall, the courtiers were seen, some prostrate, others sitting 
in silence, and cross-legged like a parcel of taylors on a shop- 
board. The general was led up with much ceremony and 
gravity by the Adigar, and the next chief officer present, and 
3 F 2 
5 
