complied, while the chiefs, who are neither allowed to sit
down nor eat in his presence, retired to the after-cabin.
He tasted every thing which was offered him, but seemed
afraid of the wines, having probably heard of the proceedings
on the evening of the 1 9 th. In about half an hour he
•rose and went to the after-cabin; the chiefs and the people
of his suite, to the number of fifteen, then sat down a t the
table be had left, and made ample amends for the temperance
and moderation of his royal highness.
A« soon as they rejoined the party in the after-cabin,
business was entered upon by Captain Maxwell’s returning
thanks, in the name of the English government, for the
liberal way in which we had been supplied with every kind
of refreshment, and for the other assistance which had been
given to us. The Prince replied, that the King of Loo-choo
was anxious to do every thing in his power for the King o f
England s ships. Upon this Captain Maxwell observed,
that he was very desirous of seeing his majesty, for the purpose
of expressing in person his gratitude for the kindness
we had received in this country. The Prince answered,
that it was contrary to the laws and customs of Loo-choo,
for any foreigner to see the king, unless sent by his own
sovereign, and charged with complimentary presents.
Coming from such high authority, this assurance was conelusive,
and as nothing further could now be said on the
subject, the hope of opening a communication with this
court, which had been so anxiously desired, seemed now
destroyed. The Prince, however, unexpectedly resumed
the subject, by saying that a letter would be written to the
King of England, if Captain Maxwell would undertake to
deliver it; his answer was, tha t nothing could give him
more satisfaction than being made the bearer of sueh a
communication : that he had earnestly desired the; honour
of paying his respects to his majesty, hut from the moment
that he had heard th a t it was contrary to the customs of die
country, he had ceased to think of it. As. soon as it was
interpreted that Captain Maxwell was willing to carry the
letter alluded to, and that he no longer urged his desire to
see the King, the Prince rose and pressed Captain Maxwell’s
hand and mine between his, while all the chiefs fell op
their knees in a circle round us, shewing by the expression
of their countenances, how great the anxiety had been from
which they were relieved by Captain Maxwell’s ready
acquiescence with their wishes: the Prince in particular,
who had hitherto looked full of anxiety., became all chcqr-
fulness, and his manner assumed a totally different character.
The inference from this curious scene is, that the real