Judas tree, the better to observe the proceedings. The rumour had got about among the natives (and here is additional proof of Orlando’s mysterious power over the imagination) that some kind of miracle was to be performed. “Thus,” writes Brigge (but his manuscript is full of burns and holes, some sentences being quite illegible), “when the rockets began to soar into the air, there was considerable uneasiness among us lest the native population should be seized … fraught with unpleasant consequences to all … English ladies in the company, I own that my hand went to my cutlass. Happily,” he continues in his somewhat long-winded style, “these fears seemed, for the moment, groundless and, observing the demeanour of the natives … I came to the conclusion that this demonstration of our skill in the art of pyrotechny was valuable, if only because it impressed upon them … the superiority of the British. … Indeed, the sight was one of indescribable magnificence. I found myself alternately praising the Lord that he had permitted … and wishing that my poor, dear mother. … By the Ambassador’s orders, the long windows, which are so imposing a feature of Eastern architecture, for though ignorant in many ways … were thrown wide; and within, we could see a tableau vivant or theatrical display in which English ladies and gentlemen … represented a masque the work of one. … The words were inaudible, but the sight of so many of our countrymen and women, dressed with the highest elegance and distinction … moved me to emotions of which I am certainly not ashamed, though unable. … I was intent upon observing the astonishing conduct of Lady ⸻ which was of a nature to fasten the eyes of all upon her, and to bring discredit upon her sex and country, when”—unfortunately a branch of the Judas tree broke, Lieutenant Brigge fell to the ground, and the rest of the entry records only his gratitude to Providence (who plays a very large part in the diary) and the exact nature of his injuries.
Happily, Miss Penelope Hartopp, daughter of the General of that name, saw the scene from inside and carried on the tale in a letter, much defaced too, which ultimately reached a female friend at Tunbridge Wells. Miss