Middletown transcript., 1877-07-07


who could have employed workmen {
such extraordinary talents in repre-
senting the image of his Maker unde
such degrading variety Of posturel
. I was about to make this remark t
my conductor, but l was checked b
the remembrance that l was in king
palace, not in a studio; and that king
have their fancies, which they are no
inclined to submit to public criticism
When we arrived at the end of tn
portico, two lofty doors were throw
open, and we were struck dumb witt
the magnifcence of the scene whicl
presented itself to our eyes.
The king was seated on a throne o
the most splendid workmanship; tht
precious metal had been oxydized tc
every shade of color, and was wrought
in beautiful mosaic; the walls and
ceiling were entirely covered with the
same, in some parts FURNISHED, to re
feet as mirrors, in others deliberately
carved in ornamental fretwork, as
peculiar from the elegance Of its design
as from the superiority of its execution.
On each side of the throne, extending
to the door at which we entered, were
row of ladies, and behind them, rails
ed on a platform about two feet higher,
another row of courtiers, all dressed in
stuffs of cloth of gold, which were en-
broidered with flowers of variously-
colored metal, so as to present the most
perfect imitation of nature. The wo-
men were very fair compared to the
men, and their cerulian tint was far
from being disagreeable, as it gave
transparency to their compilations j;
but none of them could be compared
to the kings daughter, who was nearly
white, and of the most perfect symme-
try in feature and in form her auburn
hair was so long, that it hung down to
the bottom of her dress, and was orna-
mented with small chains and orna-
ments of polished steel, which were en-
twined in its tresses. She sat at the
foot Of the throne, near to the king, and
1 was so astonished at her heavenly
that 1 could not remem-
Der the compliments which l had in
tended to pay his majesty, but remain
ID speechless before him.
The king received us very gracious
y, asking me many questions, and
broke up the audience (after half an
lour), desiring some of the handsomest
aides to select one Of my companions,
md each hold herself responsible for
lis comfort and amusement. l forgot
0 mention, that as every country has
IS peculiar customs, one here appeared
0 me very singular. When I asked
he gentleman usher what was the
Usual homage paid to the king Of the
ountry, he informed me that you ad-
-anced your hand before you on
evel with your face, and snapped your
myers at him. That the louder you
ould snap them, the more accomplish
d and elegant you were considered.
Sut in my confusion 1 quite forgot his
functions and it was not until the
ldies all snapped their fingers in obe-
fence to the commands of their sover-
ign, that I recollected the omission
-hich had been guilty Of Before
le king retired, he intimated that he
xpected we should take up our abodes
the palace for some days, and we
lould have the honor Of sitting at his '
lble in the afternoons banquet.
The whole of the company separ- t
ed those who had charge Of my t
leading them different l
ays, leaving me alone with the prin- I
,ss, who had risen from her seat when {
rected by her father to take charge /
me. I could have fallen down and
orshiped her; as it was, I inyolun-
rily dropped on one knee, and looked 1
, in her face as if I had been contem- a
ating celestial visitant. L
She smiled, and addressed me: Il O
n ordered to attend to your happiness Il
I'd comfort, and 1 obey my fathers r
mmands with pleasure. l only trust r
at your happiness may be more last s.
G than it usually is in this deceitful il
orld." And she sighed deeply. il
I continued in my position at her o
ct, and encouraged by her urbanity, "
ured forth torrent of what to the t,
any are considered compliments, but fl
lich to her were but truths. | be- IL
me eloquent from excitation and n
ing at this time, a very personabIe fl
IN, perceived that she was pleased ST
tn my efforts to obtain her favor. q
II have more than once had this m
ty allotted to me, when strangers al
We visited the island,' observed she W
ut l have always been wearied, and SC
We called in my women to assist me. W
lave never yet seen one like you h;
Il are gentle, and of a very different cI
scription from those who generally th
We been introduced as the captains ia
vessels which have arrived here. l cI
10, (.