Volltext Seite (XML)
chap. xiv. DANCING OE THE YOUNG PRINCES AND NOBLES. 401 court circle and came to the centre. The ladies were gorgeously attired in silk and satin, with a profusion of head ornaments, pearls and other necklaces, and bracelets. The men all wore silk Spanish dresses, short jackets with slashed sleeves, silk trowsers, slashed, and shoes to match, and embroidered caps adorned with ostrich feathers. The son of Eadama’s sister, a fine young man about twenty-five, and the daughter of Prince Eamonja, were the first couple, and led the dance. Dancing seemed to be grave work with them all. I rarely saw more than a social smile, and should think scarcely a dozen words were exchanged by the dancers, who, while dancing, seemed to be wholly absorbed with the figure and the step. The music was European, and so were the dances. Soon after these had bowed to the queen and resumed their seats, seven couples of the younger members of the royal and noble families came forward. Their ages might range between fifteen and eighteen. The son of Prince Kamboasa- lama, the handsomest youth I had seen, was splendidly dressed in a suit of scarlet and gold, with a cap of the same, and ostrich plume. The son of the proprietor of the house in which the queen had given her dinner and an interesting- looking young girl led off the dance. The youth was dressed in jacket and pantaloons of green velvet studded with gold, over which hung a mantle of purple velvet embroidered with a deep gold border. His partner also wore a dress of purple velvet with gold embroidery. The dress of the remaining couples was equally rich and splendid. The Frenchmen seemed to be highly gratified with the gorgeous spectacle, which continued until nearly four o’clock; when the dancing ceased and the court retired. When the nobles had nearly all left the balcony, the prince rose, and led his mother, who seemed glad of the support of his arm, into the palace; while we, mingling with the crowd of officers and guests moving towards the gate, bowed and departed.