306 JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
“Four chests of gun-powder; some shot; two 
muskets ; two brass carbines ; a gilt looking-glass ; 
two bags of red earth, and six bottles of laven¬ 
der-water.” The ambassador performed the usual 
prostrations. “ These,” says he, “ were perform¬ 
ed on the knees, bowing the head three times low 
down, which was repeated three separate times 
from the palace, where it was first begun, to the 
palace steps.” The ambassador had some misgiv¬ 
ings, that by this conduct he was compromising, 
as he himself calls it, “ the Honourable Company’s 
dignity.” His reply to any objections which 
might be urged on this head, however, are those 
of a man of sense. “ I answer,” says he, “ the 
custom of this country is well known; that some 
such ceremony has been always paid; and they 
that would reform the manners of a jealous prince 
or bigoted people, need much force or eloquence; 
I was master of neither. Moreover, I was pos¬ 
sessed of no instructions on that head, and I could 
not justify myself to those who had an authority 
to examine me, for interrupting that friendship 
and good understanding which we might expect 
to ensue from this journey, on a punctilio, which, 
in a little time, by prudent management, I be¬ 
lieve may in a great measure be got over.” 
The King received the English envoy in state, 
his two eldest sons sitting at the foot of the 
throne. “ Having paid him my compliments,” 
