After this, his Majesty, without moving his lips, but speaking by an Atwen-woon, who discharged for that occasion the function of Royal Tongue, condescended to address to the Envoy three formal questions, prescribed by custom and precedent, thus:-- _Royal Tongue._ "Is the English ruler well?" _Envoy._ "The English ruler is well." _Receiver of the Royal Voice_ (in a loud tone). "By reason of your Majesty's great glory and excellence, the English ruler is well; and therefore, with obeisance, I represent the same to your Majesty." _Royal Tongue._ "How long is it since you left the English country?" _Envoy._ "It is now fifty-five days since we left Bengal, and have arrived, and lived happily, at the Royal City." _Receiver of the Royal Voice._ "By reason of your Majesty's great glory and excellence it is fifty-five days since the Envoy left the English country, and he has now happily arrived at the Golden Feet. Therefore, with obeisance," &c., &c. _Royal Tongue._ "Are the rain and air propitious, so that the people live in happiness and ease?" _Envoy._ "The seasons are favorable, and the people live in happiness." _Receiver of the Royal Voice._ "By reason of your Majesty's great glory and excellence, the rain and air are propitious, and the people live in happiness." And here the awful conversation came to a profound close. Gifts were presently bestowed on all the officers of the mission;--to the Envoy a gold cup embossed with the zodiacal signs, a fine ruby, a tsalwé of nine cords, and a handsome putso; to other officers, a plain gold cup, ring, and putso, or a ring and putso only. Then the King rose to depart, the Queen assisting him to rise, and afterward using the royal dhar to help herself up. "They passed through the gilded lattice, the music played again, the doors rolled out from the wall, and we were told that we might retire."