DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0298
IN THE BURMHAN EMPIRE.
287
his majesty is fully master of the subject, and has
made up his mind on it long since; and that all
these affected precautions of the whoonghec, were
merely intended to enhance the value of his
acquaintance.
July 5. At noon the king's grandson sent for
my Burmhan writer; who, on his return informed
me, that the king had given the young prince my
camera obscura. Unable to adjust it, he had
returned it; but the king immediately said, " Why
don't you send to your friend the resident, he will
instruct you. " May I ?" asked the young prince
eagerly. "Yes," said the king, " you may send
to him whenever you please." He had, therefore,
now sent to request, if I had any regard for him,
that I would permit the gentlemen to go to the
palace, adding, that he would not expect the
pleasure of seeing me as yet, but hoped that the
difficulties which prevented it at present, would
soon be got over. About one o'clock two of the
officers of his household came to conduct the
gentlemen, and Mr. Keys and Mr. Burnett went
with them to the palace. They Avere politely
received as before, and this day the young prince
conversed familiarly with them ; was very affable,
and, for his years, shewed a considerable acute-
ness of mind. He expressed a strong desire to
see Calcutta, and desired Mr. Keys to tell me,
that he would make a point of being present
287
his majesty is fully master of the subject, and has
made up his mind on it long since; and that all
these affected precautions of the whoonghec, were
merely intended to enhance the value of his
acquaintance.
July 5. At noon the king's grandson sent for
my Burmhan writer; who, on his return informed
me, that the king had given the young prince my
camera obscura. Unable to adjust it, he had
returned it; but the king immediately said, " Why
don't you send to your friend the resident, he will
instruct you. " May I ?" asked the young prince
eagerly. "Yes," said the king, " you may send
to him whenever you please." He had, therefore,
now sent to request, if I had any regard for him,
that I would permit the gentlemen to go to the
palace, adding, that he would not expect the
pleasure of seeing me as yet, but hoped that the
difficulties which prevented it at present, would
soon be got over. About one o'clock two of the
officers of his household came to conduct the
gentlemen, and Mr. Keys and Mr. Burnett went
with them to the palace. They Avere politely
received as before, and this day the young prince
conversed familiarly with them ; was very affable,
and, for his years, shewed a considerable acute-
ness of mind. He expressed a strong desire to
see Calcutta, and desired Mr. Keys to tell me,
that he would make a point of being present