There is another heaven specially reserved for the solitary priests who have lived apart from the world. Their felicity consists in the utter absence of sensation, a sort of annihilation which is considered the height of bliss by lazy folks. The gods abide in the highest heaven and the privileged persons who imitate their virtues partake of their happiness. They also grant the existence of thirteen hells to which evil-doers are consigned according to the heinousness of their offences. The priesthood contains many members and is divided into several classes, of which the first takes precedence even of the King himself. The second class consider themselves as his equals, and as the general belief is that they share the perfection of the deity, a profound respect is paid to them although the majority of them are of the lowliest origin. Their chief is known as the King of the priests and in certain districts he has supreme authority. There are two ranks of nobility. The governors of towns and provinces, the ministers and judges are drawn from the first rank and are distinguished by a golden betelnut box. The nobles of the second rank have silver boxes. The King is absolute. He can dispose of the goods of his subjects or rather slaves as he pleases. Children have no right of inheritance and whatever the King condescends to leave them is regarded as a personal favour. Although this Kingdom is of large extent it can scarcely put an army of 30,000 men in the field. This petty king is as proud and luxurious as the greatest rulers of Asia and it is this idea of imaginary greatness that frequently renders him insolent towards foreigners.