The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-04-24
W. H. SEWARD IN INDIA.
A CONCERT IN INDIA.

CONCERT IN INDIA.
The maharajah's concert was given il
a style of Oriental magnifcence at tn
town-hall, before an audience of twelv
hundred all of whom the prince hac
invited. An illuminated arch was rails
ed above the porch of the building, anc
above it blazed the "Star of India,
with all the effect which gas-gets ant
refectors of FURNISHED silver could pro
duce. The vaulted roof of the build
ing is supported by double rows o
white Corinthian columns with cores
ponding pilasters. The ceiling anG
walls were painted in delicate green
groups of rose-colored lamps were sus
pended between the columns and pilas
ters, and the nave was lighted witt
transparencies designed to illustrate the
greatness and glory of Britain. The
splendid combination of light and colol
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
harajah, with royal munifcence, brought
the entire operate troupe upon the
stage, while Independent bands Of mu'
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, golden girdle at his waist,
necklaces of jewels, and "ropes OF
pearls" on his breast, but also a blue
and-gold satin robe, which was broider.
ed to the depth of six inches with sol.
id mass of glittering precious stones.
1t 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.
A HINDoo TEMPLE.
We went to-day in search of Kali
Gha,a. 1t is the most famous of the
Hindoo temples here, and from it the
city derives it's name. We found it in
q base suburb. 1t 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 roof sup
ported by HiDdoo columns. The CEN
trail building is an oblong one. The
third and principal edifice is square
surmounted by dome, which extends
beyond the walls, and is supported by
outside columns. 1t has no windows
light is admitted through small doors
on three sides. The building first de.
scribed is the hall of sacrifice, into
which only Bramin priests are admitted.
The building last described contains the
shrine of the goddess Kali, to whose
service the Thugs especially devoted
themselves. Not even its threshold
must be profaned by the footstep of the
vulgar. The central edifice is the wor-
shippers, from which they pay Their
alteration to the divinity on the right
hand, and on the other witness the sac
rifces 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, 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 il
pure white-a tall man and dignifed, il
in every way seeming worthy to serv,
at the altar With much labor he un
fastened massive paddock, and, turn
ing its heavy bolts backward, threw
open a door on either side Of the sane
tuary, and disclosed to us through tn,
dim light wrought-iron or stone figur'
of human proportions but scarcely o
human shape. The idol is black, ha'
three glaring red eyes, broad colder
tongue tipped with black, which pro
jects from distented mouth down t,
| the waist, and is dripping with blood
The arms are large. The left hant
holds a giants head the right hand,
sword with which il has been severed