chap. xm. DANCING BEFORE THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS. 371 the best. I told them some kinds in both countries were very good, and so was the music of Germany, in some re spects, better than either. They asked about the singing and dancing of these countries, to which I replied that there was much feeling in the singing of the Italians, and that the dancing of the Italian peasants was the most pleasing of any I had seen. They became much interested, and as the house in which we were seated was small, gave orders to proceed to Isoaierana, the mansion I had previously visited with the prince, about two miles distant. On arriving at this place the officers again formed a circle round the door, until the prince and princess had entered and invited them to follow, after which they entered. We assembled in the spacious saloon or hall, with the band at one end. After conversing some time, the band struck up. Eight young men danced first. Four officers and the court ladies then danced what was called an English country-dance, and I was ap pealed to as to its being veritably such, but was again obliged to express my ignorance on the subject. At the close of each dance the dancers came and made a low obeisance before the prince and princess, and then returned to their seats. The music continued, with occasional intervals of conver sation, until five o’clock, when the prince and princess rose. The prince, who had treated the princess with the most marked attention throughout the day, now led her to her palanquin, and then entered his own. I was amused at the rush and bustle which the departure of the prince and prin cess occasioned in collecting bearers, and bringing the palan quins and horses to the front of the house where the owners were in waiting for them, as etiquette required that all the other palanquins should precede those of the prince and his consort. We took the road by which I had returned with the prince on the previous occasion. There are two encampments in B B 2