all squatted cross-legged. Cups of tea, á la Chinoise, that is, without milk or sugar, were placed on handsome trays before each guest, as well as betel nuts, cakes, a quantity of rokos, and other native delicacies.
On threading our way through the mass of human beings attracted by the ceremony, we waved our hands, saying, "Tabéy, tabéy"—equivalent to our salutation of good day—which they all gladly returned. I was told that they considered our coming to see the wedding as a lucky omen. Followed by several of the guests, we entered another room, which was very gaudily decorated, and furnished with a low bed, the curtains of which were of white calico, ornamented with lace, gold, silver, beads, and coloured bits of silk. At the foot of this bed was a platform, raised about half a foot from the ground, on which was spread a spotless white mat, with several bronze trays containing cakes, &c.
