The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-04-18
W. H. SEWARD IN INDIA.


VII. SEWARD IN INDIA.
A CONCERT IN INDIA.
The maharajah's concert was given in
a style of Oriental magnifcence at the
town-hall, before an audience of twelve
hundred, all of whom the prince had
invited. An Illuminated arch was rails
ed above the porch of the building, and
above it blazed the s2sStar of India, "
with all the effect which gas-gets and
refectors of FURNISHED silver could pro-
duce. The vaulted roof of the build
ing is supported by double rows of
white Corinthian columns with CORES
ponding pilasters. The ceiling and
walls were painted in delicate green ;
groups of rose-eolored lamps were lsus-
| pended between the columns and piIas-
ters, and the nave was lighted with
| transparencies designed to illustrate the
greatness and glory of Britain The
splendid combination of light and color
brought out In full relief the garlands
and festoons of flowers which burdened
the air with perfume Sofas were ar
ranged so as to afford the guests full
freedom of promenade and conversation
in the intervals of the music. The ma
haraiah, with royal munifcence, brought
the entire operatio troupe upon the
stage, while independent bands of nlu-
sic were stationed at all the approaches
of the edifce. The turbaned and de-
corated prince appeared in his own pro-
per regalia of gold and jewels, realiz-
ing the highest descriptions we have
ever read of Eastern gorgeousness. He
wore not only rings without number on
his fingers, a golden girdIe at his waist,
necklaces OF jewels, and "ropes of
pearls on his breast, but also a blue
and-gold satin robe, which was broid r.
ed to the depth of six inches with a sol
id mass of glittering precious stones.
It is needless to say that the musical
performance was very good, yet it was
the ostentatious display which attended
it that was the wonder of Calcutta that
night. -s.r. \ Eu ss
.... . A HNDoO TEMPLE. -
We went to-day in search of Kali
CfRGJst. 1t is the most famous of the
Hindoo temples here, and from it the
city derives its name. We found it in
a base suburb. It has three discon-
nected structures, which, although they
are built after the customary models,
and of solid materials, seem neverthe-
less mean, when seen with their vulgar
surroundings. The floors of all are on
one level, eight feet above the ground,
and are reached by stone steps. The
building on the right hand is circular
one about fifteen feet high above the
floor, open all round, with a roof sup
ported by HiDdoo columns. The cen
trail building is an obIong one The
third and principal edifce is square
surmounted by dome, which extends
beyond the walls, and is supported by
outside columns. It has no windows; :;
light is admitted through small doors
on three sides. The building first de-
scribed is the hall of sacrifice, into
u
The building last described contains the
shrine of the goddess Kali, to whose
service the Thugs especially devoted
themselves. Not even it's threshold
must be profaned by the footstep of he
vulgar. The central edifce is the wor-
shi pers', from which they pay their
alteration to the divinity on the right
hand, and on the other witness the sac
rifices A Bramin crowd dressed in
clean white, many of them speaking
uncommonly good English, were assid-
uous, though not obtrusive, in explain.
ing the mysteries to US. As we went
through the grounds, a native police
sprang forth at every turn to protect US
against any injury or offence. We
waited an hour for the priest who had
the keys. He came at last, arrayed in
pure white-a tall man and digniRed, in
in every way seeming worthy to serve
at the altar With much labor he un-
fastened massive paddock, and, turn
ing its heavy bolts backward, throw
open a door on either side of the sane
tuary, aud disclosed to US through the
dim light wrought-iron or stone figure
of human proportions but scarcely of
human shape. The idol is black, has
three glarlng red eyes, broad golden
tongue tipped with black, which pro-
jects from distented mouth down to
the waist, and IS dripping with blood.
The Rrms are large. The left hand
holds a giants head the right hand, a
sword with which it has been severed
both crimsoned with blood. A necklace
Of infants skulls graces the demon.
DeEout worshippers prostrated them
selves around US, and something like
mumbled prayers were heard as thev
beat their heads upon the pavement
We placed some rupees IN a vessel be-
fore us; these we're thrown at the feet
of Kali, and the doors were quickly
clos d. This savage deity called Kali,
is the wife Of silva, and is the author Of
all the evils which beset the human raca