The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-27 00:00:00

LEVER OF THE QUEEN OF OUDE.

SOUTHAMPTON, August 23.—The mayor of this town,
Richard Andrews, Esq., the Marquis of Conyngham,
Lord Francis Conyngham, R.N. the Hon. Mr. Talbot,
the Earl of Hardwicke, and Lady Emily Yorke, visited
the Princes of Oude at the Royal York Hotel here on
Friday, and as a large number of resident nobility and
gentry of the neighbourhood expressed a wish to visit
the Princes, the latter held a levee yesterday. The
Queen Dowager of Oude also received a limited number
of ladies. The time for visiting the Princes was fixed
at half-past three in the afternoon, and that for the
Queen-mother at four o'clock. Soon after three o'clock
unusual bustle was observed at the hotel. The crowd
before the building became greater, and there was much
excitement in the interior. A notice was affixed to the
inner doorway, written in Hindostanee and English,
that gentlemen were not allowed to enter. Gold and
silver mace bearers stood inside the door to guard the
entrance. Messrs. Brandon, Rogers, and other inter-
preters were also in attendance, and none were allowed
to pass in but the nobility and gentry. The reception
was held at the upper part of the hotel, where the
Princes reside. Oriental servants were stationed along
the staircases to show the way to the reception-room.
The visitors passed by the apartments of the zemindars,
jagheedars, and other native gentlemen who have accom-
panied the royal family of Oude to this country. At
half-past three the reception took place, Major Bird
acting as master of the ceremonies. On entering the
reception-room the two Prince's of Oude were seen stand-
ing at the farther end, dressed in a magnificent costume.
The heir apparent had on a cloak of scarlet and gold.
His head-dress consisted of a coronetted-shaped cap of
rather large size, the most prominent ornament of which
was a string of large precious stones projecting from the
cap. In his hand he held a scimitar sheathed in a mag-
nificent scabbard . His uncle, the brother of the ex-
king, vas dressed in a blue and silver cloak, with head
dress of the same materials, and of a fez-like shape. By
the side of the heir apparent were two gigantic Nubian
eunochs and two other officers of state. Two officers of
the royal suite stood by the side of the Prince's uncle.
Major Bird led each visitor forward, and mentioned the
name to the princes ; the visitor bowed and retired to
the other end of the room. As soon as the room was
full of visitors, the Princes sat down on a sofa, and the
visitors on chairs. Amongst the visitors so introduced
were the Earl and Countess of Hardwicke, the three
Ladies Yorke, Vicount Royston, Admiral Ayscough and
family, Sir George Wombwell, General Sir George and.
Lady Pollock, the mayor, high sheriff, and some of the
magistrates of Southampton, and a number of the gentry
of the town and neighbourhood. Sir George Pollock
entered into conversation with the elder Prince. Seve-
ral of the higher order of officers of state mingled with
the visitors. The gravity of the Orientals and the pro-
found homage which the dependents paid to the Princes
were strikingly peculiar. After the visitors had been
sitting for a short time the Princes rose, and the former
then stood up, made their obeisance, and retired, after
which other visitors were admitted. Both of the Princes
appeared remarkably affable, and their countenances
seemed to indicate an amiable disposition. Soon after
four o'clock about 30 ladies of Southampton were ad-
mitted into the presence of the ex-Queen. Mrs. Brandon
an English lady who long resided at Cawnpore, in Oude,
and who accompanied the Queen to this country, acted
as interpretess. When the visitors entered the apart-
ment, the Queen was sitting on a sofa, attended by
eight native ladies, one of whom held over head a species
of fan. Her Majesty was dressed in splendid shawls,
but her head, neck, and one arm were uncovered. Her
hair was cut rather short, and brushed back over the
the head ala Chinois. She wore two massive earrings,
but no other jewellery about her head. Ber features
bear a strong resemblance to her grandson's, the heir
apparent to the Oude throne. She is a stout good-looking
personage ; is not very dark, and appears younger than
she really is. She has a pleasing voice, and from her
features and manners would appear to possess a kind and
affectionate disposition. She received her visitors
affably, and seemed gratified. She pathetically lamented
to the Countess of Hard wicke, one of the visitors, and of
whose rank she seemed to be aware, that she could not
speak to her in the English language. The interview
lasted about a quarter of an hour. The visitors saluted
her by making an obeisance, and then stood round her.
During the interview the Princes of Oude entered the
apartment, and sat by the side of their parent. The
native ladiesraere dressed much like the Queen. There
are three native physicians attached to the royal family
and suite of Oude, whose names are Hukkeem Mahommud
Musseeh, Hukkeem Alleeooz Zumman, and Hukkeem
Meer Shoojah Hoosiain. The pay of the moonshees, or
writers, is £5O a month. There are five in the suite,
whose names are Musseehooddeen Kahn Bahador,
Mahammud Bakur, Owladallie, Kumrooddeen, and
Koothooden. Two of the officers of the Indus (the
steamer in which the royal family of Oude came to this
country) had their cabins towards the forepart of the
ship. Against the door of one of these cabins the chief
eunuch one day erected his screen, and brought the ladies
of the suite to enjoy themselves away from their cabins.
Suddenly the eunuch heard a slight noise in the officers'
cabin ; he in an instant locked the door, the key being
outside, and the officer was imprisoned for two hours.
Had the door not been locked, the officer, on leaving t
e
cabin, Trould have stepped into the centre of the harem.