king received us very graciously, asking me many questions, and
broke up the audience (after half an hour), desiring some of the
handsomest ladies to select one of my companions, and each hold herself
responsible for his comfort and amusement. I forgot to mention, that as
every country has its peculiar customs, one here appeared to me very
singular. When I asked the Gentleman usher what was the usual homage
paid to the king of the country, he informed me that you advanced your
hand before you, on a level with your face, and snapped your fingers at
him. That the louder you could snap them, the more accomplished and
elegant you were considered. But in my confusion I quite forgot his
injunctions; and it was not until the ladies all snapped their fingers
in obedience to the commands of their sovereign, that I recollected the
omission which I had been guilty of. Before the king retired, he
intimated that he expected we should take up our abodes at the palace
for some days, and we should have the honour of sitting at his table,
in the afternoon's banquet.

The whole of the company separated; those who had charge of my
companions leading them different ways, leaving me alone with the
princess, who had risen from her seat when directed by her father to
take charge of me. I could have fallen down and worshipped her: as it
was, I involuntarily dropped on one knee, and looked up in her face as
if I had been contemplating a celestial visitant.

She smiled and addressed me: "I am ordered to attend to your happiness
and comfort, and I obey my father's commands with pleasure. I only trust
that your happiness may be more lasting than it usually is in this
deceitful world," and she sighed deeply.

I continued in my position at her feet, and encouraged by her urbanity,
poured forth a torrent of what to the many are considered compliments,
but which to her were but truths. I became eloquent from excitation, and
being at this time, as I before observed to your highness, a very
personable man, I perceived that she was pleased with my efforts to
obtain her favour.

"I have more than once had this duty allotted to me, when strangers have
visited the island," observed she; "but I have always been wearied, and
have called in my women to assist me. I never yet have seen one like
you; you are gentle, and of a very different description from those who
generally have been introduced as the captains of vessels which have
arrived here. I then wa