distant islands of Kirrama, and far, in a northern direction,U l a L d i i i - la itiiJL A o v x xx-xxxix.x.xv, . . . . . ----------- , the cone of CH^AP.
Ee-goo-sacoo, said to be covered with houses rising in a spiral direction
up its sides. The whole when viewed on a fine day, and when the
harbour is enlivened by boats passing to and fro with well-dressed
people chanting their harmonious boatsong, has a pleasing effect which
it is difficult to describe.
Before our sails were furled the ship was surrounded by boats of
various descriptions, and the tops of the houses on shore, the walls, and
the forts at the entrance of the harbour, were crowded with spectators
watching our operations. Several persons came on hoard, and with a respectful
salutation begged permission to be allowed to look over the ship;
but they were interrupted by the approach of a boat with an officer, apparently
of rank, whom they wished to avoid. His person underwent
a severe scrutiny through our telescopes long before he came on board,
and we could distinctly see that he had not the hatchee-matchee, or
low cylindrical cap worn by persons of rank in Loo Choo, in the same
manner as the cap and buttons are by the mandarins of China, yet he
was evidently a man of consequence, from the respect paid him by the
natives in making room for his approach. When he came alongside he
was invited upon deck, but for some time he stood minutely examining
the outside of the ship, counting the number of port-holes, and apparently
forming an estimate of her length and height. At last he
ascended the side and made a low salutation on the quarter deck,
bowing his head iu a respectful manner, and clasping his hands to his
breastras before described. Linding we could not understand his language
he waved his hand to seaward, in intimation that we should not
he Slowed to remain in the port. He then looked down upon the
gun deck and pursued his examination of the inside of the ship with
the same rigour tliat he had bestowed upon the exterior, making notes
of what he saw. AVhen he was satisfied, he expressed his thanks for
our civility and returned to the shore.
Soon after his departure, several well-dressed persons, with boys
holding parasols over them, were observed coming off to u s : they were
seated in Chinese style upon mats spread in the bottom of the boat,
over neat ratan platforms, and were propelled by several persons working
May,
1827.
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