io the Court of Candy 
405 
not carry a crown; although his turban also was surmounted 
by something like a ducal coronet. 
After general Macdowal had been presented in form to his 
majesty, and a numerous string of ceremonies had been gone 
through, tlie king proceeded to inquire about the health of his 
Britannic Majesty, and the state of his affairs ; to all which 
questions the general returned such answers as propriety dictate 
ed. The conversation was carried on with the most profound 
gravity and reserve. Even the most trifling circumstances were 
mentioned in whispers, with as much ceremony and impor- 
tance as if the fate of kingdoms depended upon them. 
The king directed liis speech to the Adigar, who stood on the 
step below the throne, and who repeated his majesty’s words 
to the Maha Moodelier, who had come up with the embassy as 
Cinglese interpreter. The latter in his turn gave it in Portu- 
guese to Monsieur Joinviile, who had also been sent up by 
governor North to interpret from that language, and who re- 
peated it in French to general Macdowal. Thus the conver- 
sation was carried on by five different persons, and in three 
different languages; the general’s answers returning by the same 
channel which had conveyed his majesty’s questions. 
The tedious length to which such a conference must have 
been protracted may be easily conceived, and though it lasted 
near three hours, this first interview was entirely occupied with 
complimentary matters. During the conference, rose-water was 
frequently sprinkled around from curiously wrought vessels of 
gold ; and perfumes were handed about on salvers of gold and 
silver fillagree-work. The oppressive heat of the room however, 
joined to the powerful exhalations of the scented oils burned 
in their lamps, and the rank smell of cocoa-nut oil with which 
