TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
271 
He asked after the health of the gentlemen of 
the Mission, and, as usual, very particularly con¬ 
cerning our ages, telling us his own age in re¬ 
turn. He then conversed freely and cheerfully 
upon a variety of indifferent topics. None of 
the females of the Prince’s family made their 
appearance, and his suite was moderate in point 
of number, and very orderly in behaviour. Be¬ 
tel, tea, and refreshments were served to us, as 
at the Heir-apparent’s ; and presents, consisting 
of a ruby-ring, a Chinese straw-hat, and a lack- 
ered-ware box, were made to each of the gen¬ 
tlemen of the Mission. The Prince retired, and 
in a few minutes afterwards we came away, 
much pleased with our reception, which was 
plain, unostentatious, but kind and civil. The 
Prince is a man of forty years of age. In per¬ 
son and features he much resembles the King, 
and is of a spare and light, but active form : his 
features are not handsome, but cheerful and 
pleasing. His manners are affable and unassum¬ 
ing, without being deficient in dignity. His 
character is that of a gay, thoughtless, and good- 
natured man ; and in this also he resembles his 
Majesty; but his talents are of a somewhat 
higher order. He takes his title, Sarawati-men, 
Lord or Prince of Sarawadi, from the district 
which is so celebrated for its teak forests, and 
