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I was received in state. It was a little bit of a town. The mayor received us. He had put on his gown. He was a little bit of a sawed-off man with a peasant-like face, kind of a sharp face and blond. He put on his robes of state and right away he looked important. As we entered we saw him crossing the hall without his robes of state. The person who was with me said, “There's the mayor now. He is going to the reception.” Instantly we were met at the door by two courtly major domos, bowing from the waist, asking us to proceed. By the time we had been brought into the reception room of the mayor, he had on a robe of state of some kind of dark colored velvet, embroidered. He had on a great chain of big links, all engraved or cut, with a big seal in the front of enamel. He looked very dignified as he stood behind his table.

I was presented. We bowed to each other ceremoniously. There was no back-slapping. Then seats were drawn up. There was a chair with a high back, kind of a throne-like chair, for me. There were other chairs for my party. (This is, remember, in a little bit of a town.) Then the mayor rose and proceeded to make an address of welcome. It was very correct, very fine, and very beautiful. Whether it was written for him, or whether he wrote it himself I do not know, but obviously someone - probably the man who met us at the door - had arranged every detail. Everything was absolutely correct and perfect.