The multitude looked upon Sphinx, the bulls, the crickets, the balloons, and the whole company, as something more than terrestrial, but especially the thunder of our fire-arms, which struck horror and amazement into the whole nation.
We at length arrived at the metropolis, situated on the banks of a noble river, and the emperor, attended by all his court, came out in grand procession to meet us.

The emperor appeared mounted on a dromedary, royally caparisoned, with all his attendants on foot through respect for his Majesty.

He was rather above the middle stature of that country, four feet three inches in height, with a countenance, like all his countrymen, as white as snow! He was preceded by a band of most exquisite music, according to the fashion of the country, and his whole retinue halted within about fifty paces of our troop.

We returned the salute by a discharge of musketry, and a flourish of our trumpets and martial music.

I commanded our caravan to halt, and dismounting, advanced uncovered, with only two attendants, towards his Majesty.