312 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
more than the fugitive Prince can do to retrieve 
his right, until some unforeseen contingencies may 
come to pass, or the hearts of the people, which is 
often seen to change, shall happen to be united in 
a disposition to favour his restoration,” 
The next embassy to the King of Ava, Alom- 
pra also, was that of Ensign Lester, in 1757? de¬ 
puted by the Chief of Negrais. On this occasion, 
the customary etiquette of the Burman Court was 
complied with ; the envoy approaching the King 
on his knees, and leaving his sword and shoes be¬ 
hind. Some remonstrance was attempted against 
this arrangement; but he was informed, “ that no 
person, let him be of the highest rank, could have 
audience given them by the Great King of Ava, 
Pigu, &c. &c. (Allaum Praw, next to God,) if 
they did not conform to the above.” During 
the audience, the envoy was somewhat incom¬ 
moded from continuing too long in the Oriental 
posture, and upon this and other important mat¬ 
ters expresses himself as follows :—“ As I had not 
room to stretch my legs out, and I was somewhat 
uneasy, I saw a small stool behind me, which 1 
took and sat on : this caused a laughter among 
the great men about me: the King asked the 
reason 9 and was informed ; on which he rose up 
and came close to me, and laughed very heartily, 
and asked me what was the reason that English¬ 
men could not kneel; I told him we were not 
