[The King’s rents brought three times in the year.] Three times in the year they usually carry their Rents unto the King.  The one is at the New-year called Ourida cotamaul.  The other is for the First fruits, Alleusal cotamaul.  And the last is at a certain Sacrifice in the Month of November to their God, called Ilmoy cotamaul.  But besides these, whatsoever is wanting in the King’s House at any other time, and they have it, they must upon the King’s Order bring it.  These Rents are but little Money, but chiefly Corn, Rice, or what grows out of the Ground.

[The first is accompanied with a great Festival.] To speak a little of first time, Viz. at the beginning of the New year, when the King’s Duties are brought him.  Their New year is always either the 27th, or the 28th, or the 29th of March:  At this time upon a special and good day (for which the Astrologers are consulted) the King washes his head, which is a very great Solemnity among them.  The Palace is all adorned with Tor-nes, a sort of Triumphal Arches, that make a very fine shew.  They are high Poles standing in rows before all the Gates of the Palace, either nine or seven in a row, the middlemost being the highest, and so they fall lower and lower on each side.  Thro the middle of them there is an arched passage which serves for a Door.  On the top of the Poles are Flags flying, and all about hung full of painted Cloth with Images, and Figures of Men, and Beasts, and Birds, and Flowers:  Fruits also are hanged up in great order and exactness.  On each side of the entrance of the Arch stand Plantane Trees, with bunches of Plantanes on them as if they were growing.

There are also in some places single Poles of an exceeding height standing by, with long Penons of divers colours flying, and a Bell at the end of each, as in the Figure B. And now they say, The Palace is adorned beyond Heaven.

All the Army is summoned in to stand and wait at the Palace, for the greater State.  In the mean time he goes to his Washing-houses, houses built on purpose for him to wash in, called Oulpungi, here are Baths, and Streams and Conveyances of Water, and many Servants, whose Office it is to wait upon the business of these houses.  Here he washes his head.  Which when he has done, he comes forth into Public view, where all his Militia stand in their Arms.  Then the great Guns are fired. [How the Nobles bring their Gifts, or Duties.] Now all the great Men, the Nobles and the Governors of the Countrey make their appearance before him with their Dackini, their New-years Gifts, which are due and accustomed Presents, for Persons in their Places and Offices to give.  There is a certain Rate for it.  Their manner of bringing these Gifts or rather Duties is thus, Their Servants bring them wrapt up in white Cloth to the Court, and then they take them at their hands, put them upon their heads, and so come in humble manner, and lay them at the King’s feet.  These Presents are Gold, Jewels, Plate, Arms, Knives, Cloth, each