Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“An incident that occurred a few days after the landing of the
prisoners is perhaps worthy of notice. General Campbell was to give a
dinner to the Burmese commissioners, and he chose to make it an affair
of some pomp and magnificence. At a given order, almost as by magic,
the camp was turned into a scene of festivity, with such a profusion
of gold and crimson, and floating banners, as is thought most pleasing
to an Oriental eye. When the dinner hour arrived, the company marched
in couples, to the music of the band, toward the table, led by the
general, who walked alone. As they came opposite the tent with the
veranda before it, suddenly the music ceased, the whole procession
stood still, and while the wondering Burmans turned their eager eyes
in every direction, doubtful as to what would be the next act in the
little drama, so curious to them as strangers, the general entered the
tent. In a moment he reappeared with a lady on his arm—no stranger to
the conscious commissioners—whom he led to the table, and seated at
his own right hand. The abashed commissioners slid into their seats
shrinkingly, where they sat as though transfixed by a mixture of
astonishment and fear. ‘I fancy these gentlemen must be old
acquaintances of yours, Mrs. Judson,’ General Campbell remarked,
amused by what he began to suspect, though he did not fully understand
it; ‘and, judging from their appearance, you must have treated them
very ill.’ Mrs. Judson smiled. The Burmans could not understand the
remark, but they evidently considered themselves the subject of it,
and their faces were blank with consternation.
“‘What is the matter with yonder owner of the pointed beard?’ pursued
Sir Archibald; ‘he seems to be seized with an ague fit.’
“‘I do not know,’ answered Mrs. Judson, fixing her eyes on the
trembler, with perhaps a mischievous enjoyment of his anxiety, ‘unless
his memory may be too busy. He is an old acquaintance of mine, and may
probably infer danger to himself from seeing me under your
protection.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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