The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-02-12 00:00:00

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE
NATIVE PRINCES.

The Prince of Wales arrived at Jeypore on Friday evening
(the 4th lost), and with his suite had a magnificent entry
Into the city.—The following are extracts from the interesting
letter of the Special Correspondent of The Times, (sent over
by telegraph), dated Jeypore, Feb. 6 :

. . . At Dholepore, some 35 miles from Agra, the
capital of the native State, the Prince was received by the
youthful Maharajah with extraordinary hospitality in
a palace not yet completed, but built for the occasion,
wherein lunch was laid out. All the resources of the
host were 4isplayed. Music, tents, elephants, armed
retainers, chiefs and State troops, all were made avail-
able on the occasion. The Maharajah, a charming
boy, who speaks English well and delights in manly
sports, became a fast friend of the Prince of Wales,
who took to him greatly. The journey was continued
and the Royal party crossed the Chumbul into Scin-
diah's dominions by a bridge of boats at the border of
the State.

A cavalry escort was drawn up seven miles from the
capital, the fortress of which had been visible for a
long time previous, and Scindiah met the Prince and
bade him welcome. Thence the route lay all the way
between lines of Maharatta horse till the entrance to
Lushkar or camp was reached, where Scindiah's
infantry regiments were formed in line. The city was
filled with sightseers and the streets were densely
thronged. There was a procession of elephants to the
old palace, and, after short reception, the Prince and
suite were conducted to the new palace, completed at
a cost of £130,000, built all of stone, and native work.
The grand drawing-room is one of the finest saloons in
the world, hung with wonderful chandeliers and deco-
rated with enormous mirrors. The Prince's bedstead,
washing service, and bath were of solid silver.
Next day there was a review of the Native Army
before the Prince, a parade, and manceuvres, on a
broad plain bounded by low hills, small villages in
front, in rear the fortress of Gwalior ; on the sky line,
to the left, the cantonments of Mora, where five regi-
ments of infantry were drawn up in column, artillery
and cavalry in the second line. At seven a salute an-
nounced the arrival of the Prince of Wales, who, with
the Staff, rode towards the centre of the line in blue
undress uniform. Scindiah, at the head of a brilliant
ereup of cavalry, rode to meet the Prince, his cap
blazing with jewels, with egret plume rising from a
diamond socket. He wore a scarlet tunic, with facings
of gold and gems and the Order of the Star of India.
His charger was gorgeously caparisoned with an egret and
golden pheasant plumes set on the crest. The Prince and
Scindiah rode down the linee side by side while bands were
playing and colours lowered. The Prince and his suite
returning to the saluting post, the march past com-
menced in European fashion. First came the general
Staff, next Scindiah alone at the head of his troops.
As he passed the Prince he saluted, the first time he
has ever done so. He was followed by ten Staff offi-
cers riding abreast . . . The manceuvres now began.
Scindiah took three regiments of infantry, two of
cavalry, and guns to the right, whilst Appia with the
remaining infantry and cavalry marched to the villages
on the left and took up a position with great akin, well
under cover, sending out a detachment of cavalry and
guns to watch *Scindiah, who keeping his left under
cover of a small wood and valley, threw the main
body towards his right. Appia's guns in advance
were attacked by cavalry, were reinforced, were
again attacked by cavalry supported by artillery.
Scindial's infantry threw out skirmishers, who were
charged, and formed square. Aided by the fire of
an artillery battery they checked Appia's horse, when
that leader advanced again and engaged Scindiah's
right, which extended and threatened to outflank him.
After several pretty movements, Scindiah was obliged
to precipitate the execution of his plan, and advanced
his infantry under a heavy fire and carried the enemy's
right; but military critics might say that they would
have been destroyed, just as an Aldershott umpire
would have sent Appia's Lancers out of action. In
the end Scindiah was declared to have won the day.
The Prince of Wales expressed his satisfaction at the
movements, and Scindiah, overjoyed, declared that he
would publish the Prince's eulogium in general orders
to his Army. It was, in truth, a most creditable
display.
In the afternoon the Prince of Wales and Suite drove
from the new palace in state to pay a visit to Scindiah.
A Durbar was held in an immense tent, crowded with
Maharajahs. As Scindiah led the Prince to the dais'
all rose, and heralds uttered Mahratta cries in chorus,
equivalent to "Long life to the King." The Ministers
and Sirdars were presented to the Prince. Thert
Scindiah, through General Daly, expressed his grati-
tude for the honour done him. Scindiahs before
him had been honoured, but none like him. He had
nothing to show. The palaces and the troops, what
were they? and yet the Prince had come in the
heat and dust to see them He was grateful, and
he hoped the Prince when he saw the Queen
would tell her Seindiah was her faithful servant for
ever. As he spoke these words he descendea from
the dais, and stood in an attitude of reverence,
which was wonderfully dramatic. The Prince, in
graceful terms, thanked Scindiah forhis friendly words.
After the usual ceremonies the Prince and Scindiah
went to the tent where the presents ware given, one a
necklace with upwards of 2,000 fine pear, with rubies
and diamonds, for the Princess, besides other articles
of great value. In the evening there was a banquet
at the palace. Gwalior was illuminated, and a dis-
play of fireworks followed. At dessert Scindiah
entered and sat beside the Prince, ten of his nobles
being ranged beside him. He proposed the health of
the Queen, and subsequently that of the Prince,
which wasdrunk in champagne. The Prince, in very
warm terms, returned thanks and gave the health of
Scindiab, whom he should ever remember as a friend,
The toast was drunk, at the Prince's request, with
English honozurs, amid loud cheers. The great
Mahratta Chief appeared immensely gratified.

Next morning Scindiah came early to await the
Prince's departure. Scindiah said, taking the Prince's
hand before parting, "It has been much to see your
face. I can hardly hope to see you again; but some-
times in England turn a kind thought on me. All I
have is yours." The Prince replied that he would
never foPget Gwalior and his friend.
On Wednesday Scindiah gave a sitting to Mr. Hall
by request; but he is what painters call a bad sitter,
and the artist, whose ready pencil is never at rest,
had to remain after the Prince left on Wednesday
to complete the sketch, and had an interesting
opportunity of seeing Scindiah transact public busi-
ness, with scribes at his feet, very mach as Egyptian
monuments represent the ancient Monarchs. At
the foot of the staircase SQindiah bade farewell to the
Prince, and they parted with professions of mutual re-
gard. The cortege took a different route, skirting the
city by a road under the fortress, comparatively un-
observed. Fast-galloping artillery horses and short
stages brought the party to Dholepore, where the little
Maharajah received the Prince with the same pomp as
on the previous occasion. Any one who has seen the
lad must feel an interest in him; and if he could be
controlled, as he is at present, by the affectionate
superintendence of Captain Dennehy there would not
be much reason for anxiety. While at lunch there
the Prince sent word to Generals Probyn and
Browne and Dr. Fayrer that he desired to speak
to them in the outer room, when he informed them
that the Queen had intimated her intention of
creating them Knights of the Star of India. Every
one in the Indian service knows what Probyn and
Browne have done, and Dr. Fayrer's share in
the defence of Lucknow is historical. Colonel Ellis,
Major Henderson, Major Bradford, and Captain Glyn
were informed of the Queen's pleasure to confer upon
Colonelen d ers 0 n Ellisa
a
them the Companionship of the
ma
Order.jor H
served in India in trying im
done good work in the Political Department. Major
Bradford is one of those who confer lustre on any
Order to which they belong; and as for Captain G1.7.n
who is the first Naval officer on whom the Star of India
has been bestowed, the decoration only adds another
to many well-won honours. It was nearly dark when
the Prince's cortege drove up the main avenue of Sir
John Strachey's camp outside Gwalior.
On Thursday there was a party made up for boar.
hunting. The Prince did not go, but visited the fort
and dined with the officers of the 10th Hussars. At
dinner news came that Prince Louis of Battenberg
had been found unhorsed and badly hurt, 25 miles
from camp, and had been carried to a road-side
bungalow, where he was attended by Lord C. Beresford.
Dr. Fayrer set out as soon as horses could be got ready,
and returned early on Friday morning to report to the
Prince that Prince Louis had only fractured his
collar-bone, and was going on very favourably. The
Prince of Wales's anxiety was much relieved by this
intelligence. At 8.30 the Prince bade good-bye to
Sir John and Lady Strachey and friends and as
driven to the Rajpootana State Railway Station tion near
Agra fort.

At noon the train drew up at the station of Bhurt-
pore, where the Maharajah was waiting, with his
Chiefs, elephants, camels, horse and foot soldiers and
all his State, to escort the Prince of Wales to the
famous fortress and city within which lies the palace.
The place, beautifully clean, was very gaily decorated
with flags and garlands, lined with Infantry in ancient
Sepoy uniforms. From the gateway and moat of the
fort to the palace screens of bamboo 7ft. high, covered
with red silk or calico, we erected, on which were