<h2><SPAN name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></SPAN>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
<h3>THE ROYAL COURT OF POTU.</h3>
<p>At last, we entered the large and splendid capital
of the kingdom of Potu.</p>
<p>We were first carried to a house, where all
students from the country seminaries are received,
for the purpose of refreshment. Here we
prepared for an interview with the king. In the
mean time our Karatti, or leader went before to
announce us to the court. On his return, we
were all ordered to follow him. On our way to
court we met several small trees, with printed
stories in their branches. These were literary<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></SPAN></span>
hawkers. I accidentally fixed my eye upon the
title of one of these books. It was: "A true
account of an entirely new and wonderful meteor,
or flying dragon, which was seen last year
in the heavens." I knew this was myself, and
therefore purchased the book, for which three
kilak—about two cents—were demanded. On
the title page I found an engraving of myself, as
I appeared while hovering over the planet, accompanied
by boat-hook and rope. We now
approached the castle, an extensive series of battlements
and buildings, more distinguished for
its strength and delicacy of finish than for splendor.
It presented to my view a very singular,
and, I may say rural, appearance, from the vast
number of trees on the walls.</p>
<p>It was now noon, and the dinner hour. The
king wishing to see me before he dined, I was
brought alone to the dining hall. The king
received me very graciously, uniting in a remarkable
degree, while addressing me, mildness
of tone with dignity of expression.</p>
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<p>At my entrance into the hall, I knelt before
the throne: the king demanded the meaning of
the ceremony. Having told him the reason, he<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></SPAN></span>
remarked, that such worship was due only to
the Divinity. When I had raised myself, he
put to me several questions—demanding how I
had come down?—the reason of my journey—my
name—where I came from, &c., all which
questions I answered truly. Finally, he inquired
concerning my religion, and was evidently
much pleased with our creed. I was ordered to
wait till dinner was over. At the table were
seated with the King, the Queen, Prince, and
Kadok, or great chancellor. At a certain sign,
a maiden tree entered, bearing in her eight
branches, as many dishes, which was the number
daily served at the royal table. Another tree
entered with eight bottles, filled with as many
different juices. In the dinner conversation,
frequent mention was made of myself.</p>
<p>After dinner, the King ordered me to show
my testimony. After reading it, he looked at
my legs. "The Karatti are perfectly right!"
said he; "and their advice shall be followed."
A Kiva, or secretary, was now sent for, to enter
me, among others, in the royal register of promotion.
This Kiva was a tree of remarkable
external appearance; he had eleven branches<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></SPAN></span>—a
singular number—and was able to write eleven
letters at once. With this tree I afterwards
became very intimate; he wrote all the letters
which I, as footman, carried about the country.</p>
<p>On receiving my appointment, I went to bed.
Although I was much fatigued, I could not get
any sleep for a long while. However, I fell, at
last, into an uneasy slumber, from which I was
suddenly roused by an uncommonly large monkey,
which, on opening my eyes, I found playing
all manner of tricks with me, much to the amusement
of several young trees, my companions.
The king laughed heartily over the jokes of the
monkeys, when they were related to him, but at
the same time, ordered me to be clothed in the
subterranean manner; that is, ornamented with
branches, as I had been at my first arrival below
ground. My European clothes were taken from
me and hung up in the museum, with the following
description attached:</p>
<p class='center'><span class='smcap'>dress of the creatures above ground.</span></p>
<p>After my fright from the monkey, I got no
more sleep. In the morning I rose with the sun,
and went to receive my charge for the day. An<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></SPAN></span>
innumerable number of errands were given me
to perform, together with letters and documents
directed to all parts of the country.</p>
<p>This life I led four years; during my rambles
I studied the character of the inhabitants, and
copied, as far as possible, their habits. The people
generally are distinguished for the politeness
of their manners, and the sensibleness of their
notions. The citizens of the town of <i>Maholki</i>,
only, are wanting in refinement and judgment;
they are thorn trees; very obstinate and crabbed
in disposition, and great gossips, withal; let one
take you by the button and you cannot get away
easily.</p>
<p>Each province is peopled by its own race of
trees; in the country each village has one sect;
but the large cities contain a mixed population.</p>
<p>I had a good opportunity, as courier-general,
to observe the peculiarities of these people, and
I shall now describe their polity and religion,
their laws and sciences.</p>
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