“Ah!” said Edward, “our old friend, lord Amherst; he went to Batavia, you know, for help for captain Maxwell and his crew, after the wreck of the Alceste, while all those brave men were left on the little island of Puloleat.” His mother said she was glad he remembered the story; and then went on to describe her visit to the Pavilion. “We entered,” she said, “on the western side, where the garden is situated, and proceeded at once to a magnificent apartment, called the banquetting-room. I dare say you have not forgotten the farm-house at L——, where I told you I used to live before I knew your papa; and, when you recollect the plain old-fashioned, but comfortable rooms I had always been accustomed to there, you will not be surprised to hear, that my eyes were completely dazzled by the many splendid objects that here met their gaze. I could not tell which to examine first. Our conductor pointed out to us all that was worthy of remark, and then directed our attention to the dome above our heads. It is thirty feet in diameter, and eighty-five in height; the walls of the room rising twenty feet, are surmounted by an elegant cornice, on which are raised four beautiful arches, supported by golden columns; above these, the dome rises still higher, and represents an oriental sky, partly hidden by the branching foliage of a plantain-tree. From this is suspended, by means of various Chinese ornaments and symbols, a superb lustre, in the form of a lotus; which is a plant somewhat resembling our water-lily, and is the Eastern emblem of brightness and perfection. This apartment is in the south wing of the palace; in the north wing is the music-room; but I do not recollect any thing there that will particularly interest you. Between the banquetting and music rooms, in the centre of the building, is the rotunda, or saloon: this is deemed the most superb and elegantly furnished apartment in the palace. It is of an oblong form. A brilliant lustre is suspended from the centre of the ceiling, and others, of a smaller size, adorn the entrances to the apartment at the north and south. A beautiful chimney-piece of statuary marble faces the central window. The draperies were of crimson and gold: ottomans and chairs, covered with ruby-coloured silk, and framed with gold, constituted a part of the luxurious furniture. The carpet was of light-blue, beautifully wrought with Chinese subjects, in gold colour. But I should quite tire you were I to describe every thing that dazzled and astonished the eye in this abode of royalty; so I shall pass on to the king’s bed-room, where there appeared something more like quiet retired comfort. Every thing in it was, as you will suppose, well arranged. The dressing-room adjoining it leads into a delightful bath, into which hot and cold water are conducted at pleasure. And now, perhaps, it may amuse you to hear something of the Chinese gallery; though I fear I can hardly give you an idea of its gorgeous splendour.