MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
"'At the summit of the Trailaht was a beautiful gilt edifice dazzling in the sunshine. As soon as his majesty was seated, a group of gayly-dressed lakon girls descended from the gold mountain from the gilt house, and at the base of the mountain, in full view of the king, performed their dance to the sound of native music, of which there was an abundance. On the lawn to the left of his majesty, and in a temporary and beautiful hall, sat his grace the venerable Ex-Regent; his excellency the Prime-minister; his excellency the Foreign Minister, and the principal nobles of the country.
"'On the lawn were men who danced and made amusement for the masses.
"'When the Princess Sri Wililaxan advanced, seated in a grand sedan, heavily weighted with her crown and gold chains of jewellery, followed by a group of ladies bearing her gold salvers and insignia of rank, she was received by her royal father and placed at his side.
"'The mountain Trailaht cannot be easily described. Here and there at its base there were representations of the popular plays and acts of the country. The images were moved by machinery, and went through their performances to the merriment of the crowds, who clamored for a repetition of them.
"'One represented a court of justice, where two persons were ordered to dive; the one who could remain longest under water rendered his testimony valid. It was amusing to see the artifice of the one who came up first and found his antagonist still under water.
"'There were artificial pools containing representations of fish, whose movements amused the spectators.