down and said no more. The other chiefs ran about shewing
the list of their presents to their friends among the crowd. ■
The room in which this entertainment was given was
open a t first on two sides only, but afterwards the partitions
on the other two sides were taken down, being contrived to
slide in grooves; thus the rooms are enlarged or diminished
at pleasure. "When the partition behind us was removed,
several strange looking figures made their appearance, who
we found were Bodezes or priests. Their heads and faces
were shaved, their feet bare, and their dress different from
th a t worn by the rest of the people, being somewhat
shorter, and much less free and flowing, without any belt
round the waist, the robe being merely tightened a little by
a drawing string tied a t the' side; over the shoulders hangs
an embroidered band or belt, like that used by drummers:
the colour of their dress is not uniform, some wearing black,
others yellow, and some deep purple. They have a timorous,
patient,: subdued sort of look, with a languid smile, and
ghastly expression o f countenance. They are low in stature,
and generally look unhealthy ; they all stoop more or less,
and their manners are without grace, so that a more contemptible
class of people cannot easily be imagined. Along
with the Bodezes were several boys, whom we took to be
their children from the resemblance they bore to them; but
this mistake must have arisen from these boys being dressed
like the priests, for the Bodezes aré strictly confined to a life
of celibacy. From the circumstance of our being in a
temple, as well as from our general habits of- respect to
persons filling sacred stations, we felt a t first disposed to
treat theseBodezes with attention, but this was looked upon
as ridiculous by the chiefs, who seeing us bowing to them,
begged we would take no further notice o f them. Instead
of being the class most respected, they are considered the
lowest, and if not. held in contempt, are at least neglected
by all other ranks,.
During all the time we were a t table, the crowd pressed
round the verandahs, and perched themselves upon the
walls and house-tops in the vicinity, or wherever they
could get a peep a t us. The satisfaction here was mutual,
as we were anxious to make the most of the opportunity,
not knowing if we should ever be allowed to land
again. After sitting two hours we rose, and were escorted
to the boats in the same1 order as when we landed. An
attempt had been made during the feast, when the whole
party were in good humour, to. preyaU upon the old gentleman
to sanction our taking a walk into the town ; but the
bare mention of such la thing sobered the whole party in an
instant, and the subject was accordingly dropped. The