The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-29

L II E DISPATC ri.
WEDNESDAY, MORNING .....DgoFaeFR % ,s,s
ihE AMNESTY DECLARED IN INDIA
SCENES OF REJOICING

Inc proclamation Of Queen victoria's pardon tc
| All the India rebels, save those who murdered
hfi'ish subjects, was read at Bombay on the las,
OF october All the troops in the garrison, the
Nhoie population, European aud native, we're COM
vened to meetn the Tosn hall aud on the green
before it, to hear the solemn declaration of Indian
| rights and duties read. letter TO the Londen
! Times says:
by She side of Che brilliant uniforms OF the st.f
| mingled the snow white dresses of the parsee,
| aud the Mussuimen, the gay turbaus and .carfs
| OF the Htpdoos, aud the dark habiIiments of
| the clergy, among whom appeared not oniy the
European ministers OF the Protestant and Roman
Catholic faiths but the dusky forms of native con-
verts, with shaven heads and black scalp locks A
procession having been formed, with less ate tiop
TO the etiquette Of each ote's rank than would
hzve been possible iu the days of 0ssory and
Charles II lord Eiphinstone aud the Secrets.
ries OF the Government advanced to a platform
erected on the steps of the Town hall and pro.
ceeded to the business OF the occasion This
scene presented from the spot where Ar Young
the Chief sSecretary 20 the Government stood,
holding in bis hand the Royal Proclamation was
not without its peculiar cbsracteristjcs TO
the right and left of the principal actors of the
scene stood the ''beauty aud fashion" of Bombay
% ihesteps below the platform was a choice AS
sembiaee of native gentlemen, and on the green
or crowding onwards from the side streets abut-
ting upon IL, waved to and fro a turbaned crowd
the Variesated hues of whose dresses full of that
harmony peculiar to the East, gave a mar ed char
actsr to the scene. The houses, 10 themselves
srfncieatly mean, were decorated with flags and
preparations for the coming illumination Tho
roofs were hied with spectators, whose ecanty
clothing allowed their long thin limbs to be
seen IN relief upon the deep evening sky The
CIRCULAR road round the green was kept by the
regiments OF the garrison. A flagstaff stoci at
the foot OF The Town hail steps, another erect
on the point Of the cathedral, awaiting the
unfolding Of the standard of England, which
70, shA -,
Bombay. In the midst of the deepest silence Mr.
Young read the Proclamation in English, which
was afterwards delivered in Mahratti by the
chief interpreter, mr. Wassevdeo. The troops
aaiuted, the bands played "God save the aueen,'
aud the Royal standards rose simultaneously to
the summit of the fsgstsffs, that hoisted on the
cathedral expanding at once TO the breezs and
showing the lions of England. On the lover flag.
staff the Royal standard hung istessly, and it was
not till the troops had began to move, after The
cheering and booming of the Royal salute had been
heard, that the emblem Of English sovereignty was
found to have been hung upside down. There was
pang In the breast of the superstitioas at that
moment, who consoled themselves, however, with
the thought that similar accident had not hap
pened to the flag the cathedral. Evening was
closing in when the ceremony was comp eted, and
as the crowd dispersed from the Town hall, the
FIRST signs OF the illumnatieus we're visible in
the increasing gloom. Triumphal arches had
been thrown across the streets, not only of the
Fort bat of the native city. Thousands upon
thousands OF Hgnts gave ont In nr6 the outlines
Of colon nades, Windows curious gabl,s asd quaint
devices. Queex ViGtora's name was everywhere
AS Queen of India, Empress of Hindostan.'-
There were "Fareweils 10 the East India Compa-
ny" new hopes for the future of India embIazoned
on more than one edlice. Crystal chandeliers
were hung from house 20 house amid festoons of
light, aud throughout the streets glariUg yellow,
blue and green in the obscurity of a moouless
night, crowds OF people in every walk of life
Haunted gaiiy along and eniiyened the scene The
gates of the Fort, the bastions, aud rayenes were
embroidered with flame, the ships in the harbor
shoue ont i'll tho darkness amid the blaze of blue
lights. Bombay had never such a celebra-
tion, nor had its population, f, nd orentals are
OF glitter and glare, ever enjoyed so much of it,
Of the fireworks exhibited on the occasion need
only say that they were as good as it was posi-
ble to produce with the means at our command
The re.ults of similar demonstrations at Madras
Agra, Delhi, kurrachee, Poonsh, and other presi.
deucy towns have already been made public here
none We'd with Bombsy iu their demonstrations
and rejoicing.