[27] A huge lizard, frequently upwards of three feet long. [28] Extract of a letter of Sir Alexander Johnston to Mr. C. Grant, upon the Hindoo national education. CHAPTER V. On the next day of public audience the bereaved parent repaired to the Dewan Aum, or Hall of Public Audience. When he entered he was dazzled by the extraordinary splendour of the scene. The musnud upon which the Emperor sat was so costly a work as to be one of the marvels of the age. It was in the form of a peacock with the tail outspread, entirely composed of diamonds and other precious stones. It was valued at seven crore of rupees.[29] The apartment was built entirely of white marble, and richly ornamented with representations of various flowers. Over the arches which supported the roof was the following inscription in Persian characters, beautifully inlaid with silver on a ground of dark, but brilliantly polished marble--“If there be a heaven upon earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” The letters were admirably formed, and distinctly legible from the floor. In this hall, beside the throne, was an immense block of crystal, upon which the Emperor used to sit when he held private audience with his ministers. It was sufficiently broad to have formed a table. The apartment was lighted by a dome, the largest in the palace, richly inlaid with gold. When the Pariah entered, the hall was nearly filled. As he attempted to approach the royal presence, he was stopped by one of the guards. “Whom do you seek here?” asked the soldier. “Your sovereign.” “He does not hold conference with strangers, especially upon days of state ceremony.” “Your king is reported wise, and not only wise, but just. I come to offer an appeal to his royal justice; and you do both him and me wrong by defrauding him of the opportunity of exercising his justice, and me of receiving that benefit from it which, if report do not belie him, he would be delighted to confer.” “Are you not a Pariah?” “What then? Are the natural rights of man less my nature’s privilege than another’s? Mahomedans do not despise Pariahs, and your sovereign least of any.” “You cannot have audience here.” “Why?” “Because this place is appropriated to the ceremonies and business of state. You must send a petition.” “Nay, soldier, I must see your king: withhold me at your peril!” “Advance but a single step further, and I shall cut you down.” “My blood, then, be upon your head.” The Pariah stepped forward; the soldier did his best to put his threat into execution, but his intended victim had sprung beyond the reach of the stroke. “Justice!” he cried, in a loud shrill voice, that rang through the hall; “justice from the Emperor of the Moguls.” “Who is it that demands justice?” asked Humayoon, with mild dignity; “let him approach.” The stranger immediately advanced, and prostrated himself before the King.