TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
231 
of shoes, and the white umbrella. His Majesty- 
used his flapper with much adroitness and in¬ 
dustry ; and it occurred to us, who had never 
seen such an implement but in the hands of a 
menial, not with much dignity. Having fre¬ 
quently waved it to and fro, brushed himself 
and the throne sufficiently, and adjusted his 
cumbrous habiliments, he took his seat. The 
Burman courtiers, who were seated in the usual 
posture of other Eastern nations, prostrated 
themselves, on his Majesty’s appearance, three 
times. This ceremony, which consists in raising 
the joined hands to the forehead, and bowing 
the head to the ground, is called, in the Burman 
language, Shi-ko, or the act of submission and 
homage. No salutation whatever was dictated 
to us ; but as soon as his Majesty presented 
himself, we took off our hats, which we had 
previously kept on purposely,’raised our right 
hands to our foreheads, and made a respectful 
bow. 
The Queen presented herself immediately 
after his Majesty, and seated herself upon the 
throne, at his right hand. Her dress was of 
the same fabric, and equally rich with that of 
the King. Her crown of gold, like his, and 
equally studded with gems, differed in form, 
and much resembled a Roman helmet. The 
