Southern planter., 1832-10-20

anu SAID that doubted not he must feel him-
sell supremcly happy in the possession Of 10
many. On the contrary said his Majesty
would much rather have one, with virtues
monitor on her finger, who was capable of
being n companion and friend, than the whole
thousand beauties who at present grace my
Zananah.'
After | had taken leave Of his Majesty, |
spent the whole Of the remainder Of the day
IN beating up for a recruit, az you soldiers
tenn II, to accompany me TO the zanOnoh.-
Some confessed that their curiosity was much
excited by such proposal, but, drcadng the
scnndal-mongcrs Of the cantonmcnt, they felt
compelled 10 pause ere they nsscnicd to it,
some demonstrated with me on the impropri-
ETY. Of such a step, and others Indignantly re-
fused. AT last | almost came to a rcsolu-
ton Of abandoning my design, as felt that I
could not with any degree of propricty go a.
lone, when, towards evening, young lady
called on me and introduced herself as the
wife OF most respectable civilian, and an in
innate acquaintance Of ono Of the ladies' TO
whom had made the proposition in the after
noon, expressed most earnest desire to be
permitted TO bear me company in my intend
ed visit TO the Zanan0h, and was reioiced be-
yond measure al my immediate acquiescencc
Accordingly, my new acquaintance, who
by the bye, was an exceedingly pretty little
woman, joined me al an early hour the next
morning, and we went side by side, in our
palanquins, TO the palace Of Lucknow We
were received by the King and the British re-
sldent (who had also been invited TO Join the
party) with every possible attention and po-
liteness; & after we had partaken Of sump-
tuous breakfast, consisting Of every delicacy
which eastern luxury could supply, females
were ordered to be in attendance 10 escort us
Though the private apartments Of the King
to his Zananah Passing through several
rooms, the splendor of the decorations and
furniture Of which would perhaps, on another
occasion, have attracted more of our notice,
we at last reached a small door, which, we
were informed, was the entrance to the ZSn-
anah. Here we paused few moments TO
listen TO the discoIdant sounds which saluted
our cars from within, and which proceeded
from the inhamonious cooperation Of drums,
small trumpets, and guitars, which united
their dissonance to furnish music to some Of
the ladies' who were dancing. On the door
opening we stood in the presence Of what ap-
peared to be a legion of incompatible beau.
! ties, all differently engaged, and each vary
ing in some particular from the rest, as well
in dress as in face and figure. On our en-
tering they all flocked round us, and il was
at first rather painful to be subjected to Their
minute and critical examination of our faces
and dresses. Three Of them were anayed in
far greater splendor than the rest. These Ia
dies, VIC were informed by our attendants
were the three especial favoritcs Of their lord
and as such were looked upon as the Queens
of the Zananah. They advanced towards vi
with the others, and extended their hands Il
shake hands with us, which they had, !
seems, learnt by some means or other wa
the custom of our country. They each o
them sprinkled us with otto Of roses, in tokei
of their friendly disposition towards us, an,
then taking us by the hand they led us int
a superbly decorated saloon, which was mag
nificently furnished and carpeted throughout
and provided with innumerabe seats, or pads
Of rich damask, and a variety Of large pill
lows covered with the same material. Th'
three Queens only were permitted to be seat
cd with us. They each Of them had silve
boxes, beautifully chased, alternately. Swec
! meats in proflsion were also handed about OF
, gold and silver plates, and shcrbet in gol'
, goblets. Il wasthenproposedthat GooGooREs
I Tor hand-hookas) should be introduced, ant
r with the view Of adapting ourselves TO on
company, we even ventured 10 draw littl
of the smoke into our mouths, and found
!, by no means disagreeable, both its taste an
: smell being strongly Favored with roses
These TO us) extraordinary refreshments be
1 ing concluded, asked if might request per
mission TO hear the famous singing gir.-
!. sOhp said one of the Queens, you who liv
,, in the great world have heard Of the fame {
( Bibby Mckee, then, have your replic
e that | had heard am astonishing account {
. her vocal powers; and Bibby Mckee wa
!, Immediately desired to come forward sh
q was of remarkably diminutiyc, but admire
& bly formed figure; her teeth was the mo-
a beautiful ever behcld, and the expression
~ her countenance exceedingly pleasing an
r, animated. | inquired whether she was born
10 India, and was informed that she was nj
y tive Of Persia where she had been bougl
N for the Raiah of Dude, by one of his agent
lv for ten thousand Rupees. Complimenia
,Se greetings having passed between us, Bib
h Mckee seated herself in front Of us, and SAL
'is several Persian and Hindostanee songs, wi
a. great sweetness and pathos. Being then l
,s- aucsted to oblige MS with an English on
- She sang the favorite FRENcm oir of Malbroo
H. to which some very elegant English wor
nv had been adapted, Of which could only d
- ,;nctl,, updcrstand the folloWing:-