TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
221 
lowed. We reached the river-front of the Pa¬ 
lace about one o’clock, where we were received 
by four Sare-d’haugyis, or Palace Secretaries. 
After the presents were landed and arranged, 
the procession moved forward, the presents going 
first. These, which were carried on litters by 
Burman porters, were followed by the Governor- 
General’s letter, conveyed by a native servant of 
the Mission, attended by two Herkaras, or Hin¬ 
dustani runners, on an elephant. Seven other 
elephants conveyed the gentlemen of the Mis¬ 
sion. The Burmese officers who accompanied 
us, as well as those who received us at landing, 
in all six in number, were also each mounted on 
an elephant. The guard was drawn out upon 
the shore, and presented arms as we passed. 
After this. Lieutenant’Cox took them straight 
back to the ship. We had been assured by the 
Bur mans, that it was contrary to usage to ad¬ 
mit the armed military of any foreign power 
within the walls of the town, and I would not 
by any means permit them to enter unarmed. 
It was thought best, therefore, that they should 
not even go as far as the walls of the town. 
The following account of the etiquette of the 
procession, and of some of the circumstances 
which accompanied our introduction, will be 
rendered intelligible by consulting the accompa- 
