Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 2) (London, 1835)

26

SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. CHAP. I.

the canopy was one massy sheet of the same pre-
cious metal. It stood on footstools, raised about
ten inches from the ground, also of gold. The
curtains were of Cashmeer shawls. Near it stood a
round chair of gold ; and in one of the upper rooms
of the palace we saw the counterpart of these costly
ornaments. The candles that lighted up the apart-
ment were held in branch sticks of gold. The little
room in which we sat was superbly gilded; and the
side which was next the court was closed by a screen
of yellow silk. Here we enjoyed the society of our
royal entertainer, and duly celebrated the rites of
Bacchus. Runjeet circulated the wine most freely,
filled our glasses himself, and gave every encourage-
ment by his own example. He drinks by the
weight, and his usual dose does not exceed that of
eight pice* ; but on this occasion he quaffed the
measure of eighteen. His favourite beverage is a
spirit distilled from the grapes of Cabool, which is
very fiery, and stronger than brandy. In his cups
he became very amusing, and mentioned many inci-
dents of his private life. He had quelled two mu-
tinies among his troops; three of his chiefs had, at
different times, fallen by his side; and he had once
challenged his adversary to settle the dispute by
single combat. The battles of his highness infected
the dancing ladies whom he had introduced, at a
late period of the evening, according to his custom.
He gave them spirits ; and they tore and fought
with each other, much to his amusement, and to the

* A small copper coin.