Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-12-13


mand, came in later. IN a carriage drawn by
four horses, with soldiers riding forward and
behind in regular Eastern stvle. We, by
invitation of the kings representative. also
accepted the kings entertainment in q house
provided for European visitors. A chief
man was sent with his attendant to he near
US with his tents so as TO see that needed
nothing. and servants were in attendance to
do the nPedful in every respect
i At our first breakfast we had over twenty
different dishes of food set before US. beside
various kinds of fruit and as dinner the
variety was still much greater. We did not
see His Majesty the first day, but arranged
TO see him the next morning. Bat at even
ing on the first day, two carriages with
splendid horses were sent TO take us all to
see the sights We first drove 10 one of the
palaces outside of the city gates This
we found in the midst of large garden sur
rounded by beautiful fountains. all arranged
| with remarkable taste. The palace of course
is unOccupied except when the king goes out
10 it for few days, yet it is nicely furnished
with every comfort, and beautifed by much
| that is pleasant and pretty. 1t was remarked
that we would be willing to be missionaries
for the Nawah if he would allow US to live
in that house now used only to show to visit
0rs. We spent so much time IN and about
this place. noticing and discussing the taste
and customs exhibited, that could see no
more that evening but returned to our house
to he farther entertained After our even
/ ing meal the kings " Testers were sent to
amuse US. We had heard of this class of
servants of Eastern kings before, but had
/ never seen them. They commenced their
| performances by initiating birds and familiar
sounds Of various kinds They then sang
and initiated the dancing girls and profess
sional sin gers. Their most amusing perform
ances however were their take offs of India
courts. poor village man has had nearly
all his property stolen and is trying to get
| to the magistrate with his case. The clerks
aud others about court explain 10 him an
easier way, stating that native assistant
/ can arrange it all for him and get all his
J property back So be is induced to pay over
a large share Of all he has left TO carry on
proceedings with, and when completely
ripped is sent away with threats of pun
lshment if he shows himself again. All this
is acted and is 50 much like real life that one
| has to laugh, forgetting for the moment that
the - testers = are testing upon facts
Another very amusing take of was rep
resentatiOn Of a European magistrate who
knew little of the Hindustan language, try
ing man for some grave offense. A native
is dressed in European clothes, with his face
painted lUhite-not black like an American
sh0w-and surrounded by his attendants
takes his place in court. a man enters his
complaint, and the case Is called up. The
clerk IS ordered TO read the complaint which
be does in a way that shows plainly that he
knows the magistrate does not understand it
at all. The magistrate, however, during the
reading assumes a very attentive and thought
full expression, as though be would not have
the people mistrust that he was not under
standing every word. " hen the reading ST.
over the clerk Is told to explain the case,
which he does in simple language. but in
wav to suit himself The sheriff Is then
ordered 20 arrest the offender and bring him
INTO court at once, and the man is soon pro-
duced. duly handcuffed. Witnesses are then
examined in q way and in language that the
magistrate cannot understand, the evidence
having no direct bearing on the case what
ever The poor prisoner tried to interfere,
stating that the witnesses were giving no
clear evidence, but he was directed to shut
up at once. So the man was condemned, as
the clerk said the case was clearly proved.
There can be no doubt but European magis-
trates are often imposed upon thus by their
assistants in whom they have perfect conf
dence. but who work for their own interests
behind the unsuspecting officers back. /
never saw any man play part better than
that s. Jester " played the magistrate. EVe-Y
little EogIish common custom of holding che
feet, pulling up the gloves, etc, etc, are
perfectly initiated. Tue EGgIish brogue and
recommendation OF native language were also
exactly Initiated. as well as the iOrcible de-
cided manner Of John Bull.
4 rich ignorant native was also represent
ed with his servants all ready to do his bid
ding. determined 70 please him at any haz-
ard. However ridiculous the statements of
the master all agree and express astonl-h-
ment at the wisdom manifested. This phase
of Eastern character, though made 10 appear
very absurd. cannot be made more so than
the real is in every day life. 4 man in tell
ing & superior the distance To a place, will
make the distance agree with the wish of
the superior if he can ascertain what that
desire is This would be very agreeable if
roads would also conform TO our wishes,
which they viii not always do.
After a night of restwe visited more pala-
ces and gardens, and then visited the king
himself He received Us in an open veranda,
shook hands with Us and asked US TO be
seated lie was dressed IN the simple style
Of this country. wearing only hae, white
muslin, loose pants. and q coat or tr1ck OF
the same material. with little 0rnamenued
cap on his head. just three articles of
clothing, nothing more. His large pipe was
sitting near him, from the long stem Of which
be took an occasional puff.
We praised his palaces and talked Of his
,ity and people; and then. on permission
being granted, introduced business. The
king would not sell his land IS il Is not
sign of afluence in the East for a man to sell
MS land. This we learned beforehand from
he kings chief man. So Bro. Thomos asked
he could LEI US have the land in any way.
The king replied that he would cheerfully
make a present Of the honse and land TO our
mission for the work designed, and would
make out deeds giving US full control of the
and forever. We OF course expressed our
hanks as well as We could and withdrew.
The estate was worth at least So, 600, which
: certainly magnificent gift for MahOm-
nedan to make to q Methodist Mission. He
made it because he thought it would pay 10
giving him n name, fame, good will and
merit, not because he has any love for our
eligiOn, for he has no such love.
After we had seen other shows sent US BY
he king. we returned to our home, praying
hat our way might be opened through this
-isit to preach the Gospel at Kamfnar also.
There is at present no missionary in this
province, although we often preach and send
looks, IN some parts of the kings dOminiOns-
The chief who attended US during our stay
s a very intelligent man, and / asked him
before leaving if he had even seen a Bible
lie said he had net, but had a desire to see
me | told him that l wOdld be glad to
end him one as present. So on returning
nome | sent one Of my teachers to him with
nice large Bible in the Hindustan language,
which he received with apparent pleasure.
Thus gradually the way opens.