courtiers--all dressed in stuffs of cloth of gold, which
were embroidered with flowers of variously coloured metal, so as to
present the most perfect imitation of nature. The women were very fair
compared to the men, and their cerulean tint was far from being
disagreeable, as it gave a transparency to their complexions; but none
of them could be compared to the king's daughter, who was nearly white,
and of the most perfect symmetry in feature and in form; her auburn hair
was so long, that it hung down to the bottom of her dress, and was
ornamented with small chains and ornaments of polished steel, which were
entwined in its tresses. She sat at the foot of the throne, near to the
king, and I was so astonished at her heavenly appearance, that I could
not remember the compliments which I had intended to pay his majesty,
but remained speechless before him.

The 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 plea