Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-27
A SUPERB ILLUMINATION.

The reception given 10 the Prince
OF Wales Gt the sacred city Of Benares
must have been u very magnificent
one, according 10 the description OF
Dr. Russell. Before sunset the Prince
embarked in handsome galley, which
was towcd by steamer 10 Ramnagar,
four miles up the River GangeS, where
the Maharajah Of Benares received the
Prince on canOpied aud garlanded
landing stage The river bank was
blazing with the discharges Of artil-
lery. which Numbered from the para
pets. while the battlements were IL
Illuminated. The Prince and the Ma
harajah were borne in gold aud sill
Yer chairs. on mems shoulders, up the
ascent between the river and the cas-
tie gate. between lines Of matchbox
men and cavalry. Elephants marched
on the left and Sowar camels on the
right. proceeded by mace bearers,
spearsmen and banners. accompanied
by very wild music. Silver hambeauX
and torches were held by people sta
toned on the parapets. The walls
and river banks were all lighted up as
in broad daylight. Before the gate
way the Maharajahs infantry were
drawn up, thanked by men in armor.
There was also a grand line OF ele-
plants in the courtyard, bearing gold
and silver howdahs. In another court
yard were assembled crowds OF re-
tainers and officials. The Maharaiah
led the Prince up stairs 70 the durbar,
where, after brief conversation, the
seTyitors laid many samples Of gold
brOcade Dacca muslin shawls at the
Princes feet. The Maharajah then
conducted the Prince 10 q room where
other beautiful presents We're laid out
for his acceptance. In third room a
banquet was laid out, which, however,
was left untouched. The party then
mounted 10 the castle parapet, where
a most marvellous scene presented it
self The Ganges, covered with null
titudinOUs tiny lamps, flowed at the
foot of the castle, as though starry
sky was passing between banks OF
gold. The prince enjoyed the specta-
Gle very much, and then farewell
flights Of rockets and other fireworks
were discharged. The firing Of ar
tillery was continuous, and there were
innumerable fire balloons. But greater
still, il such were possible, was the
beauty Of the illuminated city Of Be
mare, two miles Of terraces rising from
the water level 10 the temple and
shrine, every foot Of which was lit
with oil lamps. The river was fiecked,
as l. were, with fire, and every minaret
and mosque and line Of masonry in
the temple was marked out in light.
Myliads OF people, whose figures were
set in blackness against the vivid
sheets Of flame presented almost a
demoniacal aspect. The magnificent
display evoked repeated EXPLANATIONS
Of delight from the Prince.
Nurses should be careful not TO dis
pirit or frighten their patients. BY
mistake married lady in London gave
her husband, who Was suffering from
heart disease, dose from q wrong bottle,
labelled Poison" The mistake was i'm
detected. but there was no poi
son in the bottle; the patient, however,
was so frightened that be died the same
afternoon.
In London the new "Coffee Palace" for
the working classes is very popular. 1t
is an immense building well lighted, and
having a hall for missSxaeous enter
tXinments, rooms for talking, reading,
smoking and playing all sorts of games
from dominoes to billiards. There are
rooms for women also, and huge dining
room. where good food can be bought
very eheaPly