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A Voyage to Siam. Book III.
of the River, and the Balons drawing up round the Maligne, which was got up so far, all lay that night in their Boats.
Next day they went to Prepadem, where the first resting Palace was prepared. Though these little Buildings be run up in a weeks time, and made only of Reeds and Mats, yet they are commodious and pleasant. Since this was the first, and that all the rest were of the same nature, it is fit I should give a description of it.
A description of the Houses built on the Rivers side to receive him.
Coming out of the Balon, we mounted a pair of Stairs of six or seven Steps, that reached down to the surface of the Water, and led into a kind of Platform, where after ten or twelve steps you find two pretty large Halls, one on the right hand and the other on the left, which serve the Ambassadors Servants for Kitchin, Lodging and all. Beyond that there were two Rooms, on one side the Ambassadors Chamber, and on the other a Chapel. The Corridor or Platform butted upon a Hall which the Portuguese call Sala da presensu; on the right as you entered it, there was a half pace covered with a Persian Carpet, a large Canopy of State of a Stuff made of Gold and Silk, with a gilt Chair underneath and Crimson Velvet Cushions with Gold galloon. Over against it there was a Cupboard covered with a Carpet of lovely China-work Cloath of Gold, and in the middle of the Hall a long Table for three-score persons. All these Appartments were neatly furnished, and seeing the heats are excessive in that Country, they were hung only with very find India Tapestry, and the Floors were covered with extraordinary fine Mats. The Floor of the Ambassadors Chamber was covered with a large
Persian
