The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-11-20 00:00:00

THE PRINCE OF WALES IN INDIA.

The Special Correspondent of The Times telegraphs
to that journal under date, Guneshkund, Nov. 14,
10 25 p.m.
The Prince, the Governor, and their suites drove to Parell
Station, whence a special train conveyed them to Poonah at
11 a.m. on Saturday. The weather was very fine and hot.
The stations were decorated, and crowds of natives lined the
roadside, although generally they are hard to be tempted
from their occupations. I shall not attempt a description of
the scenery of the Bhore Ghaut, which is well known. At
every station there were crowds, although few Europeans;
there were many natives with flags and garlands, and bodies
of police drawn up in order. At Killian we met a train of
invalid soldiers going by the Euphrates, who loudly cheered
the Royal party. At Khundala station refreshments were
served. At Kirkee there was a salute from artillery soldiers,
who with their wives and children were collected on the
platform. The chiLiren sang " God bless the Prince of
Wales."

At Ponnah the Prince was received by the Commander-in-
Chia and Lord Mark Kerr, with a guard of honour. The
Royal party proceeded in open carriages through thronged
Etreets between lines of the 7th and 15th British, and Ist
Bombay, and three other native regiments. The Prince re-
ceived an address, to which he replied in gracious terms. At
the banquet in the evening 72 covers were laid. There was a
ball afterwards, which lasted till midnight.
Guneshkund is very charming, but not very commodious.
The Prince and Governor and some of their suites are lodged
In the house. The Duke of Sutherland and Lord A. Paget
are in a bungalow, and others are in tents at the same dis-
tance.

Sunday Morning.
The Rev. Mr. Duckworth celebrated Divine service in the
house.

The Prince paid a visit later with Sir B. Frere and the
Rev. Mr. Duckworth to the Poonah Church.
No decision is yet arrived at respecting the future.
November 15, 12.30 a.m.

It is thought the Annamully shooting expedition may be
carried out; if not, Travancore may be unfairly placed by a
premature arrival. It is doubtful whether Madras will be
visited. The Prince is quite well The heat is still SO deg.
The Prince visits Parabuttee Temple at six this morning,
and dines with the Commander-in-Chief, after a review of
Lord Mark Kerr's Division.
Poorren, Nov. 14.
A deputation of the inhabitants of Poonah have presented
an address to the Prince ef Wales, which says

"The blessings of peace and good government which we
enjoy have endeared British rule to all the Indian subjects of
Her Majesty. We hail your Royal Highness's coming as a
new proof of the great interest taken in our welfare. Poonah,
though now comparatively poor, is rich in historical renown,
and your Royal Highness will nowhere And a more loyal or
closely 'united community."
The Prince, in reply, expressed the great pleasure he felt
in visiting a city so full of historical associations, and now
the centre of so much intellectual Mahratta life. His Royal
Highness was glad to think that one result of British rule in
the Deccan was to enable students at the schools and colleges
to benefit by the achievements of Western progress, while
having reached all that was recorded in the most ancient
languages of the Hindoo races.

The Daily News has also published the following
telegram from their Special Correspondent :

POONAH, Sunday Afternoon.

Friday afternoon's excursion to the Caves of Elephanta
was among the pleasantest incidents of the Prince's visit to
Bombay. Four steamers conveyed the party, consisting of
the English ladies and gentlemen of most consideration in
Bombay and the Prince and his suite.
Elephants Island was reached about sundown, and the
party strolled slowly up the steep ascent, the pathway being
lined with rows and festoons of lighted lamps, until the
broad bastion-like platform of rock before the cave's mouth
was reached. Under the palm trees here carpets had been
laid down and chairs and torches arranged. The result was
an al fresco drawing-room, where people sat chatting for an
hour and a half, looking down on the myriad lights on the
water and shore and jetty,

- -
The famous Caves of Elephanta are relics of old religions
now on the wane in India. Their massive pillars and
quaintly-carved statues are grotesque in one sense. significant
in another. Pillars and statues are alike damaged by the
cannon of the Portuguese; but amid splintered columns
and broken capitals there still remains, unharmed by the
hand of time or man, enough to indicate the ancient splendour
of these temple caverns.

In the great central cave, its darkness illuminated by
countless lamps, had been spread tables for a grand colla-
tion, given by the Governor of Bombay. The principal table
was raised across and in front of the Buddhist Holy of
Holies, and the Loyal seat was immediately before the
famous allegorical Trinity of the Buddhist Deity Shiva. An
incongruity was perhaps discernible in the popping of cham-
pagne corks where priests had worshipped ; in nineteenth
century flirtations where devotees had knelt; in flounces,
and tulle, and dainty bonnets amid the hoary mystical relics
of a faith older than our own. It was like playing rackets in
the Pantheon, or a New Zealand picnic among the ruins of
St. Paul's. But, incongruity apart, the entertainment was
very pleasant and su-cessful ; and when, after the usual
loyal toasts, the caverns to their remotest recesses were illu-
mmated with red, green, and blue fire, the weird beauty of
the spectacle was extremely impressive.

The return voyage was through the fleet. Every ship was
illuminated horn truck to water-line, while rockets and
shells, bursting high in air, poured out into the dark night
their floods of many tinted radiance, and royal salutes and
the strains of the anthem " God Bless the Prince of Wales "
broke the stillness. After a tour round the marine illumina-
tions the Prince landed close upon midnight.

On Saturday at eleven o'clock the Itoyal party, accom-
panied by the Governor of Bombay. quitted the Parell
Station for Poonah to return to Bombay only for the
Governor's ball on Tuesday. The Prince leaves golden
opinions and impresaions behind him in the capital of the
Western Presidency. The natives from Prince to Peon have
taken him to their hearts. He is known familiarly among
them by the title of the "Shah Zidah," the literal meaning
of which is Successor of the Monarch. It corresponds vir-
tually, with our term heir-apparent.

The native princes and chiefs on whose brows sat frowns
at fancied slights and chill punctilious courtesy at the hands
of the Viceroy, thawed into enthusiastic satisfaction under
the influences of the genial yet dignified treatment by the
Prince. They recognise with appreciative candour his
solicitude to comply with their ceremonial etiquette, his
punctuality, a virtue so rare in the East, his inexhaustible
energy, and his never-failing fund of high-bred courtesy.
The Prince has undergone a week of arduous labour,
severely taxing his suite, one of whom is knocked up. The
Prince sustained the strain wonderfully, but it fortunately
ceased just in time.
In the jcurney from Bombay to Poonah the railway climbs
the stupendous face of the Bhore Ghauts, traverAing narrow
crests and dizzy precipices, and bridging ravines, the depths
of which are lost far below in mysterious gloom. All around
are tall bastion-like crags of basalt, their steep faces scarped
by nature's hand. Foliage nestles lovingly under grim grey
precipices, and clusters on the edges of ravines. The summit
gained, a cool breeze affords a delightfal contrast to the hot
mugginess of Bombay.
The Royal train reached roonah at half-pas tfour. The Prin ee
was received on the platform by the Mayor, General Lord
CithehiQinnbdeairingt
Kerr, ,sGtaetnioenralwltaysbeelayu, -in
ICyomdemcaonradteerdw-
ll late. The
banners. The Prince laspected the Zuropean guard of
honour, and entering the State carriage with the Governor,
the proeessioit began under the escort of a battery of
Artillery, the Poonah Horse, and the Governor's body guard.
The road was lined Ny ith native infantry of the Poonah
Division.