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BIRMAH. 219
exhibit in the days of Mogul magnificence, it was far
more decorous than that of any court of Hindustan at
the present day. The whole of these processions occupied
two hours.
Colonel Symes was now permitted to proceed to the
lofoo, or grand hall of audience, where the court was
assembled in all the pomp that Birmah could display.
This magnificent hall was supported by seventy-seven
pillars, disposed in eleven rows: the space between
the pillars, Colonel S. judged to be about twelve
feet, except the central row, which was wider. The
roof of the building was composed of different stages,
the highest in the centre. The row of pillars that
supported the middle roof, was between thirty-five and
forty feet in height ; the others gradually diminished
towards the extremities of the building, and those
which sustained the balcony were not more than twelve
or fourteen feet high.
At the further end of the hall, a
high gilded lattice extended quite across the building :
in its centre was a gilded door, elevated five or six
feet from the floor, which, when open, displayed the
throne. At the bottom of the lattice was a gilt balus-
trade, in which were deposited the umbrellas and other
insignia of state. The royal colour is white, and the
umbrellas are of white silk bespangled with gold.
Within this saloon were seated on their inverted legs,
all the princes, woongees attawoons, officers of state,
and principal nobility of the Birman empire. The
space between the central pillars is always left open,
that the Golden Eyes may not behold any persons but
from choice. In a few minutes, eight Brahmins, dressed
in uhite sacerdotal gowns, and silk caps of the same
colour studded with gold, assembled round the foot of
the throne, within the balustrade, and recited a long
prayer in not unpleasing recitative ; this ceremony