Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
cato youth and health in this part of tho world , and with an intensity of eye which , except in Spain and Italy , ia not soon out of India ; and as the Prince , almost with difficulty , mado his way np to the elevated stand , where he was to hoar the song in his honour , and to present himself to the littlo multitude , tho cries , tho cheers , and hurrahs which arose , indicated thoir possession of excellent lungs . Finally ,
he was almost smothered in garlands and wreaths of tlowors . " This must have been one of tho most ag-wablo of the innumerable episodes which marked his progress through India . The evening was devoted to paying ro'urn visits to the chiefs , aud ou this occasion , most of tho restraint which had been felt by the latter on visiting tho Prince , had disappeared altogether . Tho Byculla Hull , which was a
brilliant scono , closed the proceedings of the day . Under dato ot 1 lth of November , we havo a graphic description of Iudian juggling . Thou moro return visits , aud then tho entertainment given by the City of Bombay to the two thousand sailors of the tloot . Tho Princo visited tho gallant tar . s during their entertainment . How he was received will bo best siren in tho narrator ' s own words : —
"And to hear theso two thousand sailors cheer when thoy saw the Prince of Wales enter and advance to tho centre of tho canvas hall , all draped with flags , was great comfort iu itself—a sort of marine assurance that thero was , without Chauvinism , no want of tho old stuff which somo think thinned and worn out by chafing innovation ! No wonder tho Prince wanted to see them as they saw him , and so
ho called for a chair to stand upon , and mounting tho plank with a glass iu his hand , exclaimed , ' My lads ! ' — -such a combination of roar and laugh as broke out at this!— my lads ! [ am glad to moot you all ! I drink your good health and a , happy voyage homo . ' Well , it would bo very difficult to say what theso two thousand mon would not have tried to do at
tho Prince ' s bidding when ho spoke thoso words . I am glad thoir only task was to keep quiet and get on board , and that they did iu tho most orderly fashion—albeit thoy put the wreaths of flowers on their necks , aud ornamented thoir caps with the littlo ( lags which graced tho table . There never wore bettor behaved fellows , not only at tho vast feast spread iu immense tents , wherein tables hail no
time to groan under beef , padding and beer , and had to boar a good deal of dancing all during the festivities , but iu the streets . " The other event of the day waa tho laying the foundation-stoue of the Elphinstone Dock with Masouio honours . Of this Mr . Russell gives only a passing notice , remarking that " the only mistake lay , perhaps , in inviting the chiefs to come aud see , and placing them
where they conld not see anything ; and further , that" it was astir , prise to the iguoraut to see I ' arsee , 3 Iahommedan , and Hindoo members of the Craft , but they wore there iu considerable numbers . " All passed off well , and the stono was laid amid general rejoicing . The day was brought to an end , after moro return visits , with another graud dinner and reception at Parol ! . Ou the 12 th of tho
month , the Prince was entertained in the evening at a banquet in the caves of Elephanta , after which came an inspection of tho different chambers of the Templo , and fireworks , amid which ho loft on his return to Pared . Ou the 13 th the Prince set out on an excursion to Poonah , passing en route Kirkee , where waa fought tho battle in which the British had overthrown the Mahratta
Empire some fifty-eight years previous . Arrived at Poouah , there was a round of festivities—receptions , a ball , a visit to the famous temple of Parbuttcc , and a review of the Division—the Prince returning to Bombay early on the 16 th , and quitting it the 18 th , on a visit to Baroda , which was reached tho day following . Some anxiety had been expressed aa to the propriety of paying this visit , having
regard to tho political complications of a short time previous , our dethronement of the Gaokwar ' a predecessor , and that many of tho dethroned ruler ' s followers wero likely to be in tho neighbourhood . However Sir R , Meade was satisfied tho visit might bo safely made , aud ifc was made . Tho Prince on reaching Baroda , by rail , found the little Gael ; war awaitiug him at the
station , aud after a low minutes conversation , was conducted by tho latter to the elephant which they wero to mount together . This is described as " an elephant of extraordinary size ; on his back was a hovvdah ol' surpassing splendour , which shone like burnished gold in tho morning sun , and which was either made of gold or of silver gilt . It was covered with a golden
canopy . Ibis exquisitely finished carnage , reported to have cost four lakhs of rupees , was placed on cloth of gold and velvet cushions , fastened over tho embroidered covering that almost concealed the outline of tho groat elephant , which stood swaying his painted proboscis to and fro as if ho kept time to tho music of the bands outside . His head was coloured of a bright saffron , ami on this ground
wero traced quaint scrolls , it is proboscis was especially ornamented in different coloured patterns , and his ears were stained of a pale yellowish green . His tusks had boon sawn oil' to the length of three feet , and falsu tusks of greater diameter , also shortened , wore wedged over thorn by bands of gold . His painted logs wero encased iu thick round coils of goU'l . Tho mahout was attired in a costume befitting
sucn a gorgeous c-tiargo . Attendants stood by with state umbrellas , fans of peacocks' feathers , yaks' tails , and streamers of scarlet and cloth of gold , which thoy waved before tho Prince , others held tho silver ladder for him to ascend to tiio howdah . " The Prince havin " beeu h-jl ped up , tho Gaekwar and Sir Madhava Rao followed , and took their seats , the former by tho eido of his guest . Thou , at tho
word to rise , " tho mountainous creature swayed to a : ; d fro , aud tho Prince held on strenuously to tho rail iu frout , while the animal was establishing itself on its forelegs . " As tho animal made its first stride , a saiuio of artillery was begun . Other elephants , gaudily , and in some c . sos as gorgeously attired , followed , and there waa a lino of elep ' nai . s to clear the way . preceded hv tin advanced < rnaiJ ati- 'J
escort ot tho 3 rd Hussars , while in the rear was a half battery of Royal i-, rtillery , a uatachment of the bial Regiment , and troops of the Gaekwar , followed by a miscellaneous crowd of 1 ' arsees , Sirdars . Mahrattas , and others . On reaching the Residency , where the best arrangt-nents had beeu mado that circumstances would permit , the Gaekwar kit for his Palace , after a Durbar at which the Sirdars were
Reviews.
presented , and the suite presented to the Gaekwar . In the afternoon the Prince returned the visit , traversing tho city of Baroda for that purpose , thero being a large crowd lining tho route that was traversed , and several triumphal arches . He also paid a visit to tho Gaokwar ' a mother , described as " an exceedingly engaging and graceful lady , nofc yet thirty years of age , with a pleasant face , bright eyes , and
agreeable smile . Her hands and feet aro particularly small aud wellshaped . " His Royal Highness then set out for the Agga , or arena for wild-beast combats , and hero he witnessed in succession several wrestling boats , combats between a pair of elephanta , two rhinoceroses , aud two buffaloes , the whole concluding with an exhibition of fighting rams , & c . In tho evening he dined with the
officers of the 9 th Native Infantry . The following day , tho Princo went on his first shikar party , there being a strong muster of sportsmen , together with some half-dozen cheetahs , and some fierce dogs of tho Persian typo . Towards the latter part of tho day , tho Prince tried stalking , aud shot a fine buck , after which the partyreturned to Baroda , and dined with the officers of tho 22 nd Native
Infantry . The next day a visit to the Gaoksvar ' a palace , inspection of Crown jewels , aud grand banquet ; then another day ' s shooting , and then a return to Bombay , and theu departure from tho latter on board tho Serapis on a visit to Goa . Chapter VII . contains a highly interesting account of the visit to Ceylon . One great drawback to locomotion here is the leech , which .
abounds everywhere . At tho outset tho narrator experienced discomfort from theso bloodsuckers . " A sharp prick above tho auklo directed my attention downwards , aud I saw a small black body , nofc much thicker than a pin , which gave decided signs of life , contra oting and expanding itself vigorously from ono point , just above the shoe . I caught hold of the little black thread in my hand , and pulled ifc
away ; where it had beeu a spot of blood appeared ; in a second the leech fastened upon my finger . Thoplaco was iwarmingwith the wretches . I had inadvertently walked on the groousward , populous with these bloodsuckers . I instantly fled , and resolved to wear shoes no mora in these latitudes . " A few pages further on wo read , " ' Will you take this off my neck , if you please ? ' ' Hang it ! there ' s ono on tho calf
ot my log ! Ihey came wriggling and jumping along the grasa . They must smell oue ' a blood . If you stood on tho gravel walk for a few moments , you could see them making their way from all parts of the surrounding country towards yon as a common centre of interest . Most horrible of all their properties—they can stand erect on their tails and look out for what is coming . " Among the objects of
special interest which the Princo inspected was the " Sacred Tooth of Gotama Buddha , " in a Wihara , or sacred chamber , in a tower adjoining tho Malagawa Temple . While hero also , the Prince enjoyed some elephant hunting , and brought down his first elephant in excel , leut style . On the return home , the carriage conveying His Royal Highness came to grief , and shot the occupants one against the
other , but without doing any damage . Ou leaving Ceylon , Tinnovelly , Trichinopoly , and Madras are successively visited , and among the sights at tho last-named must be mentioned the Madras Races , and the illumination of tho surf . On the 23 rd December the Serapis reached Calcutta , and Lord Northbrook came off to welcome him as afc Bombay . We need not dwell upon the events of the visit to tho
metropolis of our Indian empire , as they closely resemble those of which we havo made mention , at Bombay . There were the receptions of the chiefs , and the return visits paid them ; ceremonials almost aa tiresome to record aa to witneas , but necessarily part and parcel of the Royal progress . Here , however , on New . Year ' s day 1870 , was held a Grand Chapter of the Order of the Star of India ,
at which the Prince , as representing Her Majesty , conferred tho different degrees of the Order on different native chiefs and English officials . In tho afternoon , Hia Royal Highness unveiled the statue erected in memory of the late Earl Mayo , and , later on , was present ou the race course , aa spectator of a Polo match , between the
Calcutta aud Munipuri players . On the 3 rd January , the Prince ' s visit to the capital ended , aud he left for the interior . The reception at the old fort of Ramnagar , by the Maharaja of Benares , was one of the most brilliant episodes in the whole journey . It is thus described : —
" Tho rivor-bauk was blazing with the twittering of feus de joie ; tho air li ghted up by the discharges of artillery from the aucienfc parapets ; the battlements of the fort were illuminated . Silver flambeaux and torches were held by people on parapets , walls and river banks , which were as light as day . Preceded by mace bearers , spoarsmen aud banners , the Prince and the Maharaja were borne in
gold and silver chairs , ou men ' s shoulders , up tho asceut from tho river to tho castle gate , between Hues of matchlockmen and cavalry . Elephauts , accompanied by wild music , marched on the left , shootoe sowars rode ou the right . Before the massive gateway , flanked by men iu chain armour , tho Maharaja ' s infantry presented arms . There , in the courtyard , was a lino of elephants , bearing gold and
silver howdahs . In another courtyard wero assembled tho retainers aud tho officials of the household , who received the Royal visitor with profound salaams . Tho Maharaja led tho Prince upstaira , where , after the usual presentations and a short conversation , a long file of servitors laid examples of gold brocade , of the famed kiukob of Benares , Dacca muslin , and costly shawls at tho Prince ' s feet ,
while the Maharaja sat , like a benevolent old magician in specta . cles aud white moustache , smiling in his hall , with his hands joined in a deprecating way as each tray was laid ou tho ground , as though be would say , ' Pardou that unworthy offering 1 ' Tho Maharaja then conducted the Prince to a room , where other beautiful presents were laid out ; on tables . In a third room , a rich banquet was served , which was untouched . "
AN Lncknow , the Prince laid the foundation stone of tho memorial to the native officers and soldiers who fell in tho memorable defence of tho Residency . When the ceremony was over , by a "happy nn . premeditated thought , " aa Mr . Russell puts it , the Prince requested that the sinviviug veterans who were in attendance should be presented to him . Tnc ., cono which followed was most touching . We read of oue veteran " led in by his sons , nearly blind from a wound , "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
cato youth and health in this part of tho world , and with an intensity of eye which , except in Spain and Italy , ia not soon out of India ; and as the Prince , almost with difficulty , mado his way np to the elevated stand , where he was to hoar the song in his honour , and to present himself to the littlo multitude , tho cries , tho cheers , and hurrahs which arose , indicated thoir possession of excellent lungs . Finally ,
he was almost smothered in garlands and wreaths of tlowors . " This must have been one of tho most ag-wablo of the innumerable episodes which marked his progress through India . The evening was devoted to paying ro'urn visits to the chiefs , aud ou this occasion , most of tho restraint which had been felt by the latter on visiting tho Prince , had disappeared altogether . Tho Byculla Hull , which was a
brilliant scono , closed the proceedings of the day . Under dato ot 1 lth of November , we havo a graphic description of Iudian juggling . Thou moro return visits , aud then tho entertainment given by the City of Bombay to the two thousand sailors of the tloot . Tho Princo visited tho gallant tar . s during their entertainment . How he was received will bo best siren in tho narrator ' s own words : —
"And to hear theso two thousand sailors cheer when thoy saw the Prince of Wales enter and advance to tho centre of tho canvas hall , all draped with flags , was great comfort iu itself—a sort of marine assurance that thero was , without Chauvinism , no want of tho old stuff which somo think thinned and worn out by chafing innovation ! No wonder tho Prince wanted to see them as they saw him , and so
ho called for a chair to stand upon , and mounting tho plank with a glass iu his hand , exclaimed , ' My lads ! ' — -such a combination of roar and laugh as broke out at this!— my lads ! [ am glad to moot you all ! I drink your good health and a , happy voyage homo . ' Well , it would bo very difficult to say what theso two thousand mon would not have tried to do at
tho Prince ' s bidding when ho spoke thoso words . I am glad thoir only task was to keep quiet and get on board , and that they did iu tho most orderly fashion—albeit thoy put the wreaths of flowers on their necks , aud ornamented thoir caps with the littlo ( lags which graced tho table . There never wore bettor behaved fellows , not only at tho vast feast spread iu immense tents , wherein tables hail no
time to groan under beef , padding and beer , and had to boar a good deal of dancing all during the festivities , but iu the streets . " The other event of the day waa tho laying the foundation-stoue of the Elphinstone Dock with Masouio honours . Of this Mr . Russell gives only a passing notice , remarking that " the only mistake lay , perhaps , in inviting the chiefs to come aud see , and placing them
where they conld not see anything ; and further , that" it was astir , prise to the iguoraut to see I ' arsee , 3 Iahommedan , and Hindoo members of the Craft , but they wore there iu considerable numbers . " All passed off well , and the stono was laid amid general rejoicing . The day was brought to an end , after moro return visits , with another graud dinner and reception at Parol ! . Ou the 12 th of tho
month , the Prince was entertained in the evening at a banquet in the caves of Elephanta , after which came an inspection of tho different chambers of the Templo , and fireworks , amid which ho loft on his return to Pared . Ou the 13 th the Prince set out on an excursion to Poonah , passing en route Kirkee , where waa fought tho battle in which the British had overthrown the Mahratta
Empire some fifty-eight years previous . Arrived at Poouah , there was a round of festivities—receptions , a ball , a visit to the famous temple of Parbuttcc , and a review of the Division—the Prince returning to Bombay early on the 16 th , and quitting it the 18 th , on a visit to Baroda , which was reached tho day following . Some anxiety had been expressed aa to the propriety of paying this visit , having
regard to tho political complications of a short time previous , our dethronement of the Gaokwar ' a predecessor , and that many of tho dethroned ruler ' s followers wero likely to be in tho neighbourhood . However Sir R , Meade was satisfied tho visit might bo safely made , aud ifc was made . Tho Prince on reaching Baroda , by rail , found the little Gael ; war awaitiug him at the
station , aud after a low minutes conversation , was conducted by tho latter to the elephant which they wero to mount together . This is described as " an elephant of extraordinary size ; on his back was a hovvdah ol' surpassing splendour , which shone like burnished gold in tho morning sun , and which was either made of gold or of silver gilt . It was covered with a golden
canopy . Ibis exquisitely finished carnage , reported to have cost four lakhs of rupees , was placed on cloth of gold and velvet cushions , fastened over tho embroidered covering that almost concealed the outline of tho groat elephant , which stood swaying his painted proboscis to and fro as if ho kept time to tho music of the bands outside . His head was coloured of a bright saffron , ami on this ground
wero traced quaint scrolls , it is proboscis was especially ornamented in different coloured patterns , and his ears were stained of a pale yellowish green . His tusks had boon sawn oil' to the length of three feet , and falsu tusks of greater diameter , also shortened , wore wedged over thorn by bands of gold . His painted logs wero encased iu thick round coils of goU'l . Tho mahout was attired in a costume befitting
sucn a gorgeous c-tiargo . Attendants stood by with state umbrellas , fans of peacocks' feathers , yaks' tails , and streamers of scarlet and cloth of gold , which thoy waved before tho Prince , others held tho silver ladder for him to ascend to tiio howdah . " The Prince havin " beeu h-jl ped up , tho Gaekwar and Sir Madhava Rao followed , and took their seats , the former by tho eido of his guest . Thou , at tho
word to rise , " tho mountainous creature swayed to a : ; d fro , aud tho Prince held on strenuously to tho rail iu frout , while the animal was establishing itself on its forelegs . " As tho animal made its first stride , a saiuio of artillery was begun . Other elephants , gaudily , and in some c . sos as gorgeously attired , followed , and there waa a lino of elep ' nai . s to clear the way . preceded hv tin advanced < rnaiJ ati- 'J
escort ot tho 3 rd Hussars , while in the rear was a half battery of Royal i-, rtillery , a uatachment of the bial Regiment , and troops of the Gaekwar , followed by a miscellaneous crowd of 1 ' arsees , Sirdars . Mahrattas , and others . On reaching the Residency , where the best arrangt-nents had beeu mado that circumstances would permit , the Gaekwar kit for his Palace , after a Durbar at which the Sirdars were
Reviews.
presented , and the suite presented to the Gaekwar . In the afternoon the Prince returned the visit , traversing tho city of Baroda for that purpose , thero being a large crowd lining tho route that was traversed , and several triumphal arches . He also paid a visit to tho Gaokwar ' a mother , described as " an exceedingly engaging and graceful lady , nofc yet thirty years of age , with a pleasant face , bright eyes , and
agreeable smile . Her hands and feet aro particularly small aud wellshaped . " His Royal Highness then set out for the Agga , or arena for wild-beast combats , and hero he witnessed in succession several wrestling boats , combats between a pair of elephanta , two rhinoceroses , aud two buffaloes , the whole concluding with an exhibition of fighting rams , & c . In tho evening he dined with the
officers of the 9 th Native Infantry . The following day , tho Princo went on his first shikar party , there being a strong muster of sportsmen , together with some half-dozen cheetahs , and some fierce dogs of tho Persian typo . Towards the latter part of tho day , tho Prince tried stalking , aud shot a fine buck , after which the partyreturned to Baroda , and dined with the officers of tho 22 nd Native
Infantry . The next day a visit to the Gaoksvar ' a palace , inspection of Crown jewels , aud grand banquet ; then another day ' s shooting , and then a return to Bombay , and theu departure from tho latter on board tho Serapis on a visit to Goa . Chapter VII . contains a highly interesting account of the visit to Ceylon . One great drawback to locomotion here is the leech , which .
abounds everywhere . At tho outset tho narrator experienced discomfort from theso bloodsuckers . " A sharp prick above tho auklo directed my attention downwards , aud I saw a small black body , nofc much thicker than a pin , which gave decided signs of life , contra oting and expanding itself vigorously from ono point , just above the shoe . I caught hold of the little black thread in my hand , and pulled ifc
away ; where it had beeu a spot of blood appeared ; in a second the leech fastened upon my finger . Thoplaco was iwarmingwith the wretches . I had inadvertently walked on the groousward , populous with these bloodsuckers . I instantly fled , and resolved to wear shoes no mora in these latitudes . " A few pages further on wo read , " ' Will you take this off my neck , if you please ? ' ' Hang it ! there ' s ono on tho calf
ot my log ! Ihey came wriggling and jumping along the grasa . They must smell oue ' a blood . If you stood on tho gravel walk for a few moments , you could see them making their way from all parts of the surrounding country towards yon as a common centre of interest . Most horrible of all their properties—they can stand erect on their tails and look out for what is coming . " Among the objects of
special interest which the Princo inspected was the " Sacred Tooth of Gotama Buddha , " in a Wihara , or sacred chamber , in a tower adjoining tho Malagawa Temple . While hero also , the Prince enjoyed some elephant hunting , and brought down his first elephant in excel , leut style . On the return home , the carriage conveying His Royal Highness came to grief , and shot the occupants one against the
other , but without doing any damage . Ou leaving Ceylon , Tinnovelly , Trichinopoly , and Madras are successively visited , and among the sights at tho last-named must be mentioned the Madras Races , and the illumination of tho surf . On the 23 rd December the Serapis reached Calcutta , and Lord Northbrook came off to welcome him as afc Bombay . We need not dwell upon the events of the visit to tho
metropolis of our Indian empire , as they closely resemble those of which we havo made mention , at Bombay . There were the receptions of the chiefs , and the return visits paid them ; ceremonials almost aa tiresome to record aa to witneas , but necessarily part and parcel of the Royal progress . Here , however , on New . Year ' s day 1870 , was held a Grand Chapter of the Order of the Star of India ,
at which the Prince , as representing Her Majesty , conferred tho different degrees of the Order on different native chiefs and English officials . In tho afternoon , Hia Royal Highness unveiled the statue erected in memory of the late Earl Mayo , and , later on , was present ou the race course , aa spectator of a Polo match , between the
Calcutta aud Munipuri players . On the 3 rd January , the Prince ' s visit to the capital ended , aud he left for the interior . The reception at the old fort of Ramnagar , by the Maharaja of Benares , was one of the most brilliant episodes in the whole journey . It is thus described : —
" Tho rivor-bauk was blazing with the twittering of feus de joie ; tho air li ghted up by the discharges of artillery from the aucienfc parapets ; the battlements of the fort were illuminated . Silver flambeaux and torches were held by people on parapets , walls and river banks , which were as light as day . Preceded by mace bearers , spoarsmen aud banners , the Prince and the Maharaja were borne in
gold and silver chairs , ou men ' s shoulders , up tho asceut from tho river to tho castle gate , between Hues of matchlockmen and cavalry . Elephauts , accompanied by wild music , marched on the left , shootoe sowars rode ou the right . Before the massive gateway , flanked by men iu chain armour , tho Maharaja ' s infantry presented arms . There , in the courtyard , was a lino of elephants , bearing gold and
silver howdahs . In another courtyard wero assembled tho retainers aud tho officials of the household , who received the Royal visitor with profound salaams . Tho Maharaja led tho Prince upstaira , where , after the usual presentations and a short conversation , a long file of servitors laid examples of gold brocade , of the famed kiukob of Benares , Dacca muslin , and costly shawls at tho Prince ' s feet ,
while the Maharaja sat , like a benevolent old magician in specta . cles aud white moustache , smiling in his hall , with his hands joined in a deprecating way as each tray was laid ou tho ground , as though be would say , ' Pardou that unworthy offering 1 ' Tho Maharaja then conducted the Prince to a room , where other beautiful presents were laid out ; on tables . In a third room , a rich banquet was served , which was untouched . "
AN Lncknow , the Prince laid the foundation stone of tho memorial to the native officers and soldiers who fell in tho memorable defence of tho Residency . When the ceremony was over , by a "happy nn . premeditated thought , " aa Mr . Russell puts it , the Prince requested that the sinviviug veterans who were in attendance should be presented to him . Tnc ., cono which followed was most touching . We read of oue veteran " led in by his sons , nearly blind from a wound , "