Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-02
Nafrh,nan &c Junrnat.
WEDNESDAY. FERRuAnY . 1sz0
The Prince Of Wales In India.

MADRAS, December Is, 1870.
Mes'rs. Eiior:-We are waiting for the
Prince Of Wales to pass from the railwa,
station to the Governors house. From wish
ing that home friends were here to see the
strange things about u.s. It is natural to turn
TO pencil and paper, which are fortunately
at hand
On our side Of the street, between the ex-
temporized iron railing and the sidewalk.
are stands for carriages, and the sidewalk is
kept clear by the native police There is
a line OF natives just outside the wire fence,
which separates the street from large, open
field. Behind the railing, on the opposite
side of the street, the natives are seated
three or four deep, aud as many more are
standing behind them. You see some dressed
like Europeans, more in the garb Of Moham.
medans, and many, many more in heather
costume, with the marks on their foreheads,
which denote the god they worship. A few
natives look somewhat like the Africans, a
few like North American Indians, and some
resemble Europeans, while all are still Of the
Malay tribe.
The hum Of conversation in strange Ian.
guage, rises on every side. Occasionally you
hear laughter; but more often the crying Of
children, some Of whom would be naked, but
for bracelet on the wrist aud string about
the waist These people have a wonderful
love for ornaments. You see jewels all
around the ear, in the nose, about the neck,
on the wrists, on the ankles, on the fingers
and on the toes
Now and then troopers ride past. They
wear helmets that look quite warlike, but
are probably made Of pith. STILL for that
very reason they protect the soldier from
his most dangerous enemy in this country,
whose bright lanccs are darting even now
through the tulip trees across the street.
The street is red from the color Of the soil
but is finely macadamized The English,
like the Romans have gone over the world
as conquerors, and like them, are famous road
builders.
We are facing the east, whore only the
fort and its grounds separate us from the
harbor with is fringe Of surf. To the
northeast, between the trees, we can see the
lighthouse gaily decorated with streamers.
Flags Of nearly all nations are waving just
within the railing, and a little distance north
Of us the stars and stripes float out towards
the sea
Two East Indians children Of native and
European parents-are passing. This is an
unfortunate class. Many Of them are too
proud or too indolent to work aud they are
despised on ali lands The natives call them
jacket wearers." Now native swell, elab-
orately dressed in white PAGES mp and down
the sidewalk. lie is darker than the Cau-
casian, yet has regular features and is a fine
looking man. Crows hawks, and kites fly
or alight quite near Us. Crows are very nu-
merous in Indian cities and act a. common
scayengers.
There goes the first gun Of the salute to
the Prince as his train comes TO the station.
Some of the natives clap their hands and al.
most cheer in the European style A few in
put down by the policemen. We hear gun
after gun till the whole twenty-one have
been fired. Nothing passes save a pariah
dog, who for once is the center Of attraction.
We have waited now half an hour since
the first gun. suddenly the natives begin |
again to rise and clamor, and we hear guns |
fred from nearer point. The prince is
surely coming Soon we see detachment |
Of the Queens Lancers, then come staff Of |
fcers, and after them detachment of the |
Governors body guard, followed by several /
carriages We look at the carriages with |
interests for III them, among others, are Sir
Bartle Frere and the Dukeof Sutherland, and |
Dr. Russell, correspondent of the London |
Times now, as he was during the American
war for the Union.
Another detachment of the Queens Ian.
cers rides by. Here comes the Prince Of |
Wales at last, in a carriage with the Gov /
ernor of the Madras Presidency lie wears |
military dress His face is strong as well |
as handsome, and his bearing is easy and |
manly lie touches his helmet gracefully |
toward our carriage; but we are taken by |
surprise and have not time to respond be
fore he looks toward the next group. lie
seems worthy of the place he is to FILL and |
we feel that he has been moderated
Now come the native princes in carriages,
each with two troopers as a guard of honor. |
The Mahanjah of Travancore is first, de-
spite the protest Of the Princes OF Arcot, /
who surely have as high place as they de
serve. Some of these native rulers wear
real cloth of gold, and splendid jewels. !
Three or four look like able men, but most |
appear dull or effeminate or sensual They |
come here willingly yet they appear like
captives in triumphal train. Still Indiais /
better off under England than she could be
under her own people. The Lord Bishop
and Chief Justice of Madras are in the pro-
cession, which is closed at last by another |
detachment of the Queens Lancers. Some
distance above us, fourteen thousand school |
children are seated, and five thousand will |
sing God Save the Queen" and God |
Bless the Prince of Wales"
We have seen " our future king" and will |
90 home to breakfast through heat like
that of July with you. All these prepare
tions are for the coming of an earthly prince.
Oh that the people of this heather land |
may prepare to welcome the Prince of Peace
at His coming NJ. II. PECK.
An Appeal