TO THE COURT OF CANDY. 
383 
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 performed their sacrifices, 
and the chief people to take their stations at any occa- 
sional assembly. As the Adigar and his train were to pass 
that way, several of our officers and soldiers planted them- 
selves on this elevated situation in order to have the bet- 
ter view of the procession. The Adi gar however chancing 
to observe them above him, expressed great indignation, 
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 descendent 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 instruments 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 inter- 
preted for me, of conversing with some of the principal 
Candians, v r ho waited at the outside of the choultry. 
They seemed a handsomer race of people than our 
Cinglese ; their manners were more courteous, and their 
conversation more polite. They v r ere as eager to obtain 
knowledge of our customs, as we w r ere to be informed of 
