The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-08 00:00:00

THE PRINCE OF WALES IN INDIA.

The Prince of Wales Ushered in the New Year by dancing
heartily at a public ball given in his honour at Calcutta till
three o'clock on Saturday morning. In the forenoon of New
Year's day he held a chapter of the Star of India, whenseveral
investitures were conferred. The spectacle is reported to
have been very imposing, and 12,000 Europeans and natives
assembled to witness the arrival and departure of the chiefs
and the procession which formed part of the ceremony.—The
following description at the ceremony has been telegraphed
by 'the, Bipedal Correspondent of 2he Times, under date
Calegtta,Aan._ 2 :
A grand Chapter of the Order of the Star of India
wasteld on Saturday, which promises to give weight
and dignity to the Order, to increase its political value
and exalt its importance as a mark of Royal favour.
At first its honOurn,were little esteemed, as Orders of
chivalry are scarcely understood in India. How
many millions of people in 'the United Kingdom are
unacquainted with the differences in the Orders of the
Bath and the Garter and. other Orders? In India
Orders'olnaerit are associated with ideas of reward
and penaim., One great Chief to whom the Star of
Indtia, was sent a few years ago would not wear the
Order, but ,put the insignia contemptuously, on one
side: When India learns that the Prince of Wales,
specially commissioned by Queen Victoria, in the
presence of the Viceroy and various dignitaries,
• European and Native, presided in great State to con-
fer decorations and grades, the Star of India will be
highly advanced in public estimation.
It is difficult to reproduce by telegraph impressions
of a pageant, but I may say that the scene was stately
and picturesque, and was splendidly successful. There
were certain attributes connected with it reminding
the spedtator that it was an exotic. The pomp of
elephants, the noisy ealvaleade of Eastern ceremonial,
were wanting, and so was the public interest such a
grand spectacle would arouse in any European capital.
From the triumphal arch near Lord Hardinge's statue
to the entrance to the enclosure, few people were con-
gregated. At Government House gateway a few
hundreds assembled, and at the enclosure, some thou

P and of spectators had gathered. The route was lined
with cavalry, infantry, and police. The prepara-
tions have been already described, and the
general arrangements were similar to those when
the Duke of Edinburgh held the first Grand Chap-
ter. A vast enclosure of canvas was prepared,

_
running south-east and north-west, on In. o_peti
plain about a mile from Governmeat House. The
Rajah's tents were ranged on the longest side of a
parallelogram opening on the enclosure at one end, on
the Maidan at the other. At the north-eastern ex-
tremity of the enclosure was a dais, with silver pillars
and a canopy of blue silk and satin, the Colour of the
Order. On the dais were two chairs. The one for the
Viceroy was of silver and blue' with a crown behind,
and golden lions at the side. The footstool was the
same, with golden lions. On the right of the Viceroy
was a similar chair with the Prince of Wales's plumes
at the back and silver arms, with a footstool of blue
and silver. Before the dais were a scarlet carpet and
a cloth of gold tent, carpeted with scarlet and the
Royal Arms in the centre. Behind the dais and on
each side rows of seats were arranged. The front rows
were for members of the Order.

Behind were eight compartments for Native Chiefs,
European ladies, and gentlemen. Outside the Chapter
tent, which is used by the Viceroy for Durbars, were
seats rising in tiers. At the approach to the grand
entrance were lines of Marines and Sailors. On the
left, looking towards the tent, were drawn up Infantry
in light order as a Guard of Honour. A large flagstaff
with the Union Jack stood in front, where a military
band was placed.

•
The list of notables present would be too long for
the present despatch. Natives and Europeans had
assembled, not only from Bengal, but from many
othereparts of India. All fashionable Calcutta was
awake and busy early, those who were to be in attend-
ance being summoned for 7.45. Before eight streams
of Rajahs in carriages some with four horses each and
outriders and an escort, down to the humblest contri:
vance, which it would be an insult even to London
vehicles to term a "cab," were directed towards the
enclosure on the Maidan. The police arrangements
were very good, and there was no confusion. The
Rajahs had numerous retainers, and the cortege some-
times combined incongruously Asiatic and English
equipments. As each arrived, he was met by the
Foreign Under-Secretary, and conducted to his tent to
robe and await the marshalling of the procession. At
8.45 the Prince left Government-house, escorted by a
troop of the 18th Bengal Cavalry, a most picturesque
body of cavalry. After the Prince's carriage came
another troop, and next the carriages of the suite, all
in full uniform, Civil and Military. Cavalry closed
the rear. The next cortege consisted of a troop of the
Body Guard, then the Viceroy's carriage and another
troop of the BodirGnardl—The suite, in carriages,
followed, and a detachment of the Body Guard closed
the procession. Atnine the Union Jack was run up and
a salute fired. There was great excitement in the En-
closure, and a flutter of expectancy on the ladies'
benches looking toward the entrance. After the
Royal salute there was a flourish of trumpets, and the
procession, advancing up the open space between
the rows of tents from the grand entrance at
9 10, was a N ery fine sight.
,First came servitors in
liveries of scarlet and gold, two and two, bearing
punkahs embroidered. with silver, mace, spears, and
wands of office. Next came the drand Marshal of the
camp, Mr. Henvey, and General Atchison abreast,
then the Companions of the Order, two and two, more
than 30 in all, one-half being Natives. Conspicuous
among the Chiefs were the Maharajahs of Vizianagram
and Johore, and among the Europeans Colonel Dillon,
Colonel Lumsden, Dr. Fayrer, Colonel Keating, and
Sir T. D. Forsyth. As the procession entered the
Durbm tent the servitors ranged themselves right and
left at the entrance, the Companions taking their seats
next. _

Scarcely had the splendour of uniforms and cos-
tumes somewhat toned down when the procession of
the first Knight Grand Commander entered, Colonel
Osborne, the Political Officer, preceding eight
Sirdars in much splendour of brocade and jewelled
turbans. Then came a solitary native officer bearing
quaint devices on a silken banner, which announced
the Begum of Bhopal, a small figure almost swathed
in stuffs of many colours, over which was an ample
light-blue satin robe, with white shoulder knots of
the Order, attended by two native pages in very
handsome dresses with bare feet. The face of the
principal figure was thickly veiled, and the ladies on
the rows of seats whispered that she never veiled
until lately. The Begum sat down in the front row
and never uncovered her face. A lady, said to be her
daughter, and the Sirdars set behind her. The banner
was suspended over her seat Close behind the pages
of the Begum came the Political Agent, Mr. Trevor,
leading the procession of Salar Jung. Eight Sirds.rs
marched in, Mahomedan nobles, all dressed in that
charmingly striking arrangement of colour and fashion
which is the joy of artists and horror of martinets,
and which the West has taught to smother memory of
by the word unif6rm. The banner-bearers were tall
and of stately presence. Sir Salar wore a small white
turban, quite plain. The train was borne by t,wo
pretty, bright-eyed pages, dressed in green and gold.
The Nizam s Minister has fine features. His manners
are dignified, and there is no more remarkable man.
In contrast to his studied simplicity came Puttiala.
His procession of eight attendants was preceded by
a Political Officer, followed by a banner, after whom
came the Maharajah. He wore -£lOO,OOO worth of
the Empress Eugenie's diamonds on his white turban,
and the great Sanei diamond as pendant. These
were supplemented by emeralds, pearls, and rubies on
his neck and- breast. His pages, as by subtle intent,
were not by any means so fine. He sat next the
Begum, but apparently had no fund of small talk for
her Righnees. Lord Napier of Magdala came next
attended by General Hume, Captain the Hon. R. W.
Napier, Surgeon-Major Bradshaw, Lieutenant-Colonel
R. Davidson, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Moore' and one
Native Major, Lidayat Ali. The train was borne by
two midshipmen. As he took his seat next Salar
Jung, he courteously saluted him and the veiled
Begum of Bhopal and Puttiala opposite, as well as
the Colonel of Indian Engineers who was summoned
by Colin Campbell to Lucknow eighteen years ago.
He won his many honours, and none who knew him
who will not wish him long life to wear them. The
Maharajah of Travancore is most enlightened, but a
thorough Hindoo. He is learned and benevolent, but
full of prejudices. He came next. He is very like
Mr. Buckstone, if one could fancy him in Oriental
garb. Among his attendants were his Dewan Sasshia
Sastre, and Madhava Rao, born, perhaps, 100 years

too soon.

Preceded by naval officers—Mann, Hammet,
Gough, Mansell, Mangles, Forbes, Drummond, and
by Burrowes, bearing a banner with many an ancient
quartering, recognised by all, appeared Sir Bartle
Frere, his train, held by two midshipmen. He was as
striking a figure as any, always excepting his successor,
Maharajah Rewah, whose procession, led by Major
Bannerman, consisted of eight Sirdare, any one of
whom would make a sensation in a London or Parts
theatre. They were like animated nuggets, ambu-
latory mines of jewels. One especially wore a
most striking chain of armour, arabesqued breast
and back pieces, jewelled casque and plume
of gold, and enamelled gauntlets. Rewah him-
self reminded one of the great King on whose
palace wall fingers wrote his sentence. His face was
covered with a saffron-coloured pigment, which hides
all traces of skin complaints. His features are fine and
expressive, sad and gentle. He wore a crown like a
headpiece. The gold, exquisitely worked, was blazing
with gems. He sat next the Rajah of Travancore. The
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ingahtti vhei
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faces. Next Maitland headed the Maharajah Holkar's
procession. That burly gentleman looked like
an Indian Henry VIII. in his robes. His pagei
were in Vandyck brown and gold. Next came the
Maharajah of Cashmere, Major Jenkins in front.
There were eight most resplendent warriors and cour-
tiers finely shawled and jewelled, but they were
utterly eclipsed by the magnificent Maharajah and his
train, carried by pages in green velvet tunics and pink
turbans. In the last, Grand Commander Maharajah
Scindia's procession, Colonel Hutchinson was at the
head. Eight courtiers preceded the gorgeous Chief
of G-walior. He sat next Holkar, who scarcely turned
hi 4 head.
lint brilliant as Scindia was, Europeans noticed him
comparatively little, for the procession of the Prince
was advancing in two lines. The Prince was in Field-
Marshals. uniform, with a white helmet and plume.
His train was carried by Messrs. Grimston anel Walshe,
naval cadets, in cavalier hats and cloaks, tunics, trunk
hose, and rosetted shoes, all of blue satin. They wore
cavalier wigs. The Prince took his seat on the dais
[ the band playing "God save the Queen," ana
all standing. The interior was very imposing,
the drooping banners were a blaze of colours. The
Viceroy ordered the Secretary to read the roll of the
Order. General Aitchison did so in a loud clear
voice. Each member bowed and sat down as his name
was called. The Chapter was then declared open by
the Secretary, who reported the business to be the in-
vestiture of the persons named, and read a warrant
from the Queen, dated Balmoral, October 25, directing
t ht the
salutation, Prince, d
and
a
the Prince to invest them. The Viceroy and the
sat
down The
oflt,hhee Oirdinereerorseet,urbonwededo e
received from the SectetarY grants of dignities, which
were handed to a page. He directed the investiture to
proceed.
One account must do for all. The MaharaJah lof

Jodhpore was first conducted from the tent to the
presence of the Prince by General Aitchison, who
held him firmly by the hand, and indicated when he
was to bow, kneel, walk backwards, and sit down. He
was met at the entrance of the tent by two junior
Knights, the Under Secretary bearing the insigna on a
blue satin and velvet cushion, two junior Knights, the
Maharajah, and an attendant. The Guard presented
arms. After the Queen's grant was read by General
Aitchison, the Maharajah was led aside, and, having
been decorated a Knight's riband, badge and star, and
robes, returned and stood before the dais. He made
two obeisances, and knelt while the Prince was
placing the collar of the Order round his neck, and
admonished him in the prescribed form. Seventeen
guns were fired. The Maharajah of Jodhpore then
rose, instructed by General Aitchison, who led him
backwards, bowing with his face to the dais, towards
the seat. Thera his banner was unfurled to a flourish
of trumpets. The Secretary proclaimed the titles of
the newly-made Knight Grand Commander, and all re-
sumed their seats. Next came the Rajah of Jheend, to
be invested in a similar manner. The Knights Com-
manders' investiture followed. Robinson, Maharajah
Panna, Rajah Mahnn Kasee (Holkar's brother),
Ramsay, Runnodeep (Nepaulese General), Gunput
Rao, and Faiz Ali Khan Rose and Ramsay after in-
vestiture were knighted. Next came Chapman,
Bullen, Smith, Degumber, and Mitter, who received
badges of the third class of the Order. There was no
more business. The Prince then desired the Chapter
to be closed. The procession leaving was by far the
mast picturesque part of the pageant. It was led by
the Prince and his suite. The Viceroy's Guard and
the Knight Commanders and Companions following in
reverse order of their entry, 80 that from the Durbar
tent seemed to flow an array of banners, plumes, and
dazzlingcolours the like of which was not seen even in
the best days of the Covent Garden Proplate or at the
coronation of the King of Hungary. Nowhere else could
be seen such a combination of Asiatic costumes.
Calcutta unquestionably entertains royally, but the po-
pulace is far more apathetic than any we have yet seen.
It manifests far less interest in the visit than that of
Madras, which, again, was not so excited as that of
Ceylon or Bombay. Nevertheless, the illumination of
the Native Town was one of the most spontaneous and
touching marks of humble welcome ever witnessed.

In another letter from Calcutta, dated January 2, the Cot,
responient of The Times telegraphs :
As the Prince emerged after the investment of the
Knights of the Star of India, from the comparative
darkness of the Durbar tent to the sound of a grand
march, played by a military band, a Royal salute
was fired and the Guard of Honour presented arms.
The crowd on the seats outside cheered loudly.
Similar honours were paid to the Viceroy, Six
Bartle Frere, Lord Napier, and others. Several
Rajahs were much applauded by the spectators, but
they did not deign to notice the cheers, except Sir
Salar Jung and the Rajah of Travancore, as far as
could be observed. The procession, after rolling on
like a many-coloured lava wave, crested with all the
riches of land and air, jewels, gold, plumes, gradually
melted away, and each member of the Order turned
off to the tents right and left, and unrobed, and there
awaited the moment for departure. The Prince and
the Viceroy proceeded to the entrance, where they
took their seats in carriages and returned to Govern-
ment House in the same state as they had arrived.
And so the Chapter was over.

Care must be taken not to repeat the ceremony too
soon. Once every five years, perhaps, will be sufficient.
Familiarity breeds contempt. There were some draw-
backs to the completeness of the arrangements. Tents,
however magnificent, and marquees, however multi-
plied, do not lend themselves to great ceremonies like
grand architectural buildings. The necessary regula-
tions of the procession gave an appearance of con-
stint; even General Aitchison, who did much hard
work with excellent taste, had to grip Rajahs tight
and to lead them to and fro as if he had them in
custody; but as they do not understand our forms and
customs, it was quite necessary to do so, or the Chapter
could never have been ended.
As the Prince waS returning to Government House,
a Native rushed through the guard and police towards
the carriage. Captain Davidson, the officer on duty, rode
to cut him down. Major-General Probyn, in the car-
riage, could have thrown him under the wheels; but
both saw he meant no mischief. The Prince's quick
eye perceived that he only held a paper in both hands,
and his Royal Highness was not at all perturbed. It
was a petition, which he desired to present. The
Natives have an idea that if they can give a petition
into the Ruler's hands redress of their grievances is
certain; but it is necessary to take precautions against
evil intentions, and it is difficult to draw a line between I
excessive caution and rash confidence. Here the
Prince is guarded in Government House by Sepoys,
escorted by Sowers, instead of European Infantry and
Cavalry, and is perfectly safe.
In the afternoon the Prince, accompanied by the
Viceroy, unveiled an equestrian statue of Lord Mayo
on the Maiden, near Government House. Several
Rajahs wete present. Mr. Bullen Smith read an
address, excellent in its terms, but too long for tele-
graphing. The Prince expressed a melancholy satis-
faction at unveiling the statue of one whom he had
been proud to call his friend, and who would have left
a great name among Indian Viceroys had he lived. On
behalf of the widow, children, and friends of Lord
Mayo he thanked the committee for what they had
done in honour of his memory. The Prince then
unveiled the statue, which is a good likeness.
After the ceremony, the Prince changed his uniform
and drove to the racecourse to witness an exciting polo
match between the Calcutta players and Munipuri
natives, six a side, the former big men on well fed and
well-groomed ponies; the latter light, tall men on
ragged poor-looking tats. The contest was rendered
equal by the light weight and wonderful skill
of the Munipuri men. The Prince, the Viceroy,
and suites were in plain clothes. They left
' their carriages and mingled freely with the crowd,
and watched the play till darkness stopped it.
The Prince next drove to the race stand to
witness a grand display of fireworks, which were not
quite equal to expectation, owing to the climate; but
the spectacle of tens of thousands of faces lighted up
by mortars, rockets, and coloured fires was alone
worth seeing. Calcutta poured out its myriads, but
all were very orderly, clapping their hands at the
noisy fireworks, or such representations as a mosque,
the Taj, and bouquets. One flight of rockets was very
fine. _

-
The Prince drove off at seven to see the fleet illu-
minated, and fireworks were discharged from the
ships. After the Royal party left the race-stand an
explosion occurred among the fireworks, but no one
was hurt. _

--
There was a dinner at Government House, after
which the Prince, accompanied by the Viceroy, the
Maharajah of Johore, Miss Baring, Mies Foulkes,
and the members of the suites in uniform, visited the
English Theatre, where Charles Mathews played in
My Awful Dad. The theatre was prettily dressed out.
The Rajah Salar Jung and one or two more native
Princes had boxes provided for them. The house was
only half full, the prices for large boxes being £lOO,
and for small ones £5O, pit stalls being £7. The
Rajahs seemed glad when twelve o'clock came. Many
New Year's-day compliments were exchanged.
Sunday was spent in comparative quiet. The Prince,
Viceroy, and Government House party went to
church at Fort William, and visited the Arsenal sub-
sequently, where there is a collection of arms in good
order. In the afternoon a steamer conveyed the party
to the Botanical Gardens, which were crowded.. They
drove back through Howrah, brilliantly illuminated,
and halted at Bishop's College. The Prince dined at
Government House, and will leave to-motrow after
dinner for Bankipore.