The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-12
The Prince of Wales in India.

LIE VI w dlos Ill 4uulh'
Rev. DR.. Field in writing to the ~ Y
Evangelist says:
eve came upon the party of the Prince
of Wales at Agra, where he had been spend
ing week, enjoying a succession OF specta
cles, which perhaps entertained him as much
as any that he has seen in India. They
were not on so grand scale as the military
review at Delhi the week before, when there
were assembled forty regiments, English and
native troops, which went throug b series of
military maneuvres, which lasted some days.
This was undoubtedly the most brilliant mil
itary spectacle ever witnessed in India. But
at Agra the pageant was Of different kind,
and though less imposing, was more unique
and more Characteristic CT India. When be
arrived at the station, he was met by great
number of Rajahs, mounted on elephants
richly caparisoned, of which there were a
hundred and eighty in the procession, by
which he was escorted to his camp outside of
the city. A day or two after he held a grand
Durbar, to which all the native Princes came
in grand array, blazing with diamonds, and
accompanied by great number of retainerS
in the most picturesque costumes. One had
company of cavalry mounted on camels,
and others came with a train of elephants -
Both these snowy pageants We were few
days too late to see.
do not uDdervalue the interest or the
Importance of his visit, and should have been
glad to see some of these grand displays, if
could have been in two places at once
When We reached Agra, friend met
US at the station, who had been there
several days, aud had tent pitched
quite near that of the Prince, where he had
seen everything. He regretted greatly that
we had not come week sooner. We drove
out to the encampment, where we found the
royal standard of England floating in front
of the Princes tent. He was absent, having
gone off a day or two before to Gwalior, but
was expected back every moment, and an
hour after, while We we're visiting the Tai,
we heard the guns which announced his re,
turn. But the public displays were over,
and l saw him only the morning that he took
his departure, when, although he drove off in
carriage very quietly, the camels and ele
plants that were rolling along the different
roads, as we rode out once more to the camp,
told of the brilliant Oriental pageant which
was ended. l fear therefore that we shall
not see much of his visit to India, although
we shall follow in his track, and visit the
same places unless indeed it should be on
our return to Allahabad, through which he
is to pass on his way back from his great ii
ger hunt in Nepaul.
"Since leaving Agra and Delhi, we have
met Sir Bartle Frere, to whom had let,
ter, and Canon Duckworth, the chaplain to
the Prince of Wales, who were both extreme
ly courteous, and would have made our way
easy and pleasant, if we had been at either
of those places in time. We may possibly
meet the whole party at Allahabad, although
| fear it will be so late that we shall then be
in Calcutta, on our way to Ceylon.
" But though we have missed something,
still We have Geen enough and heard enough,
while breathing this atmosphere of loyalty,
to give us some Impressions which should
be glad to write out for our readers, espe
cally as connected with the large subject of
British rule in India The visit of the heir
of the throne is certainly great event. 1t
has excited a prodigious interest, especially
in official and military circles. [ believe it
will do good in many ways. 1t mas presented
to the people of India an impersonation of
sovereignty, visible representative of that
mighty power, the British Empire. It has
conciliated the native princes, who have been
greatly pleased by the frank and manly
courtesy of their future sovereign. But it
has not converted the people to loyalty any
more than to Christianity. They run to see
the parade, the Rajahs, and the elephants.
But 90 60 its exciting any deeper feeling in
them, no Englishman who has lived long in
the country, will trust to that for a moment.
Even though English rule be for their own
safety and protection, yet their prejudices
of race and of religion are stronger than even
considerations of interest. 1t is a curious
illgatration of the power of caste that the
very Rsjahs who have entertained the Prince
of Wales with such lavish hospitality, who
have built new palaces to receive him, and
have spread before him spmptuous banquets,
still do not themselves sat doqOn at the table
they willn eat suen with their Royal guest
and count his touch Of food, and even has
shaaOw falling upon At, pollution! Such
people are not to be trusted very far beyond
the range of English guns. The security of
English rule in India is not to be found in
any fanoied sentiment of "loyalty," which
does not exist, but in the overwhelming proof
Of English power. British possession is Sc
cured by the well-armed fortresses which
overlook every great city, and which could
ay it in ruins IN twenty four hours. 44S
1ela By the sgor@. This seems hard say
ng, but believing as ! do that the British
power in India is an unspeakable blessing to
ts two hundred millions Of people, l hope it
will be held with an iron grasp for genera
ions to come.