OF THE MALAY PENINSULA. 
155 
dignitary then absent, was about one mile further cele¬ 
brating the nuptials of some of the nobility of the place. 
After some difficulty, occasioned by the absence of the 
chief, we were allowed to take our lodging in a common 
Malay house, where we passed the night. The next day 
we were obliged to remain where we were, because not yet 
having seen the chief, we could not be permitted to visit any 
place. We spent part of the day in making inquiries; and 
we were informed that the Jakuns living within the limits 
of the kingdom were not numerous ; two or three places 
only were mentioned as being frequented by a few families 
of them. 
Ihe second day after our arrival, having previously obtain* 
fed the necessary licence, we went to meet the king at the 
wedding ; but we encountered him on the road about half 
way as he was returning home. He is a man of about sixty 
3 'ears of age, his appearance is at first sight prepossessing ; 
he appears respectable, simple and collected in manner. 
We accompanied him to the palace, which though one of the 
first buildings in the place, would scarcely be called a house 
in Europe. In his march he was preceded by a standard 
similar to that used by Musulmen; and by a great dignitary 
bearing the royal sword ; he was followed by about fifteen 
men, armed with muskets of several kinds and calibers, and 
more or less in order, perhaps the greatest part of them 
would have been put in remotis in our European armies 
At the invitation of the sovereign we entered the yard of 
the palace, and we were soon after introduced into a large 
verandah where the Court is habitually held. After a few 
minutes conversation, the chief gave orders to bring our 
baggage into his house, and allowed us to visit the localities 
frequented by the Jakuns ; we perceived however that such 
excursions, as well as a long stay in the state would be far 
from pleasing to him. The Rev. Mr Borie spent a part of 
the day in visiting the Jakuns, while I was detained at 
home by a slight indisposition. This circumstance^gave me 
another opportunity of experiencing the unfortunate custom 
of that nation, in asking every thing which falls under their 
sight. The king himself ceased his repeated demands only 
after I had given him some miserable dried fishes, and some 
clothes which he could scarcely use, being made in the 
European fashion. During the evening I was witness to 
one of the most remarkable instances of Malay silliness 
which can be met with. At seven o’clock the king, who a 
great part of the day had smoked opium, left his place. 
