Book IV. A Voyage to Siam.
153
Persian Carpet, and the rising with a very rich Stuff.
In all these Palaces of repose there were seven Officers of the Kings houshold, of whom the first were Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-chamber, and the seventh, Captain of the Life-guards with some Soldiers who kept Guard day and night, and went several Rounds about the House to prevent noise and disorder. The first six and those whom they commanded, took care that nothing was wanting to the Magnificence of the Table and Neatness of the Appartments.
As soon as the Ambassador stept ashore at Prepadem, he was complemented by the Governor of Bancok and Piplis, who had waited for him there, since the day before. After Dinner he Embarked again, with the same Court and Attendance and went to Bancok. Half a League from the Town two Olouans Mandarins of the third Order, of whom the last was, as it were, General of the Galleys, came in the Kings name to receive him, and so to wait upon him to the Capital City. It was five a Clock before he arrived at Bancok. An English Ship lying at Anchor under the Fort, saluted his Excellence with One and Twenty Guns, and the Town that was over against it, with One and Thirty. As he went ashoar, he was received by a great number of Mandarins drawn up in two ranks, having the Governor of Bancok and Piplis at the head of them, and he was conducted to the Lodging that had been prepared for him in the Town. The streets through which he past were perfumed with Aquila which is a very precious wood, and of a rare smell. So soon as he was come into his Palace, the Fort
which
