Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/85

 VISIT TO THE SUSUnUNAN. 69

in a third met with a simiLar reception. At last we reached the vestibule, which was very dirty. The mirrors, having, from neglect, lost part of their ([uicksilver, and the gilding having disappeared from their once splendid frames, had a tarnished appearance. The floor was strewed with ends of cigars, roccos, tobacco, and other refuse ; and the walls Avere daubed with red in patches, marking the spots where the careless inmates had expec- torated the betel-nut, &c., after having chewed it. Here we waited while two dirty old women who, to their profession of cake-vendors to the court, added that of porters also announced our arrival ; and a native band having almost at the same moment struck up a wild air, we marched in order, escorted by some officers of the royal liouse- Iiolil, to till' Pringitan, or Audience Hall a kind of large s(|uare verandah, on a level with the main luililiiigs, roofed over, I)ut open on three sides, and sujijiorted l)y pillars, on which tigures of

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