The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-06-29


BY our request Mr. II A. Rsely, now
a resident Of this village, has permitted
us to publish the following portion of a
letter written TO him from India BY his
daughter, Miss Hattie, Que of the party
accompanying Hon. William II. Seward
on his journey around the world. We
are pleased to learn from Mr.. Rsley that
his eldest daughter, Olive H. Risley,
who has been adopted as daughter OF
Mr. Seward, aud is now known as Olive
Risley Seward, is keeping full and
complete journal. of the travels and
doiugs Of the party on their extended
journey, with view of giving it to the
public on their return to this country
ALLAHABAD, APRIL 4, 1S71.-We
have got back to this place, after having
the most delightful trip one ever imag.
incd. | wrote you last from Delhi, aud
told you what we had seen up to that
time but tho pleasantest part of our
journey came afterwards, at Pattealla
After leaving Delhi, Se went TO the
Commissions, at Umballa, where we
were to rest day before going to Pat.
tcalla, while there we received written
invitation, both in Persian aud English,
put into a silk envelope embroidered
with gold and hanging from the cord
which tied it was a seal as large and
thick as the palm Of my hand. The
city of Pattcalla was thirty four miles
from the place where We were staying, SO
the next day the Maharajah sent four
carriages lined with blue velvet, aud
four horses each. The Commissioner
sent Captain Horseford, who could
speak Hindostanee, to interpret for us,
and when half way there We came to a
little oncampment where we changed
horses, and refreshments were prepared
for us When within mile OF the
wall of the city the Maharajah, according
to Oriental custom, came in very
handsome coach aud four, driven by
postillions, to meet us. He took Mr.
Seward in with him, and we soon found
ourselves surrounded by crowds ol'sold.
iers, mounted and on foot, and process.
sions, calcium lights, aud bands of music,
besides cannon booming aud great
excitement generally. On reaching the
city gate there were twenty.four elc.
plants standing in line, magnificently
ornamented with housings of gold cloth
and earrings that came to their feet.
We were invited to change from the
carriage to ride on one Of them so we
mounted by climbing silver ladder
into houdah, which was really made
with gold and silver, aud cushioned with
red velvet Olive and | sat in it to-
gethsr, and rode three miles through n
Thoroughly Eastern city, lighted by torch.
es, to beautiful palace which Mahara.
jah has on purpose for European guests.
He said US he led Mr.. Seward into it,
"This is yours" and there be left us in
this beautiful palace, surrounded by a
lovely flower garden, trees, &c. The
inside was furnished cxqusitely, and the
food served Ia Frdacaise. We were
lulled to sleep by the falling waters ol
fountains, aud awakened by the sweet
notes Of the birds. Before going fur
ther l will inform you that the Oriental
mosquito is much larger aud finer than
any in the west and quite as ravenous
The next morning we drove about the
city, native city, very poor and dirty,
as all OF them arc. l have learned that
this NIaharajah (Which means great king
has always been very friendly to the
English, and for this reason his estate,
Pattealla, has been left to him; aud is
entirely under his own control as long
as he continues on the side Of the Eng.
lish. During all the mutinies he aud
his fathers have assisted in subduing
the rebels, and for this reason he has
been kniehted, and given the Star Of
India by the Queen of England through
the Viceroy aud he was ut Calcutta
while we wero there, for this purpose
but We were too late to sec the installa.
tion. Pattealla is little kingdom, ol
which there are scvcralin India, and the
Maharajah taxes his subjects so heavily
that his income is something fabulous
His palaces aud gardens compare with
anything handsome in the world, while
every ,ne of his people is making just
enough to live. He speaks English,
and his ministers are Intelligent men,
He thinks of going to America some
time. Atior driving about that morn.
ing We went back to our palace, aud
the Naraioh called nnan Mr. Caward