The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-25


to him at the grand durbar which was held
in the great vice-regal tent, whereon hoated
England's banner. Lord Mayo had only
arrived that morning. but all had been in
readiness for some days, and the native
rajahs had been arriving in detaehments
during all the previous week. From the
railway station where the Viceroy arrived
broad green road lay straight across the
plain to the camp prepared for him, dis
tance of two miles the whole of which was
lined on either side with a living wall of
rajahs on their elephants, each surrounded
by his retinue- troops, camels and attend
ants. As the vice-regal carriages and their
Hussar escort came slowly down the grassy
road, each native band in turn struck up
aGod Save the Queen" but as each played
in different keys, and began in succession,
the effect was rather mixed.
This occurred at daybreak, and as the
durbar was not to be held till the after
noon, all the multitude returned to their
several camps, and as all had TO pass by one
corner of the plain, it afforded good op-
portunity to judge of the vast array of hu-
man beings and animals there assembled
men on horseback, men on foot, elephants
with gorgeous howdahs, camels with long
guns. As to the din, it was altogether in
describable- creaking of wheels, the
jingling bells of the elephants, the beating
of tomtoms, the voices of native officers
shouting to their men, and the shutting
march of the slippered crowds; while ming
ling in one enormous discord came the
sound of innumerable regimental bands,
each playing its favourite selection of valses,
polkas, and operate music.
In the afternoon all the great world as
sembled at the vice-regal camp, where one
side of the white tent was assigned to the
English ladies (of course no native ladies
were present. while on the other sat the
gorgeous rajahs, and between them stood
the unoccupied throne. In due time the
Governor General arrived and walked up TO
the throne Then followed most awkward
pause. The Ameer had from some cause
been delayed, and as etiquette forebade the
Viceroy to speak to any lesser potentate on
such an occasion, every one stood waiting
in silence which every moment became
more and more oppressive. At length this
much honoured guest arrived, accompanied
by his favourite son, pretty child with
large dark eyes-the pet of the harem-
who looked about him in ill-concealed won
der at the brilliant scene, and the array of
magnifcently dressed chiefs, among whom
the Afghans did indeed look dingy. One
fine old gentleman attracted special admi-
ration. He was robed in green velvet, and
his show of diamonds though moderate in
quantity was beyond price. Some of the
others were like locomotive diamond mines.
One whose head-dress blazed with gems
was dressed in dark green and brown vel
vets richly embroidered, anc even his at
tendants were draped in costly Indian shawl
fabric On such State occasions as these,
rigid etiquette regulates the exact number
of steps which great man must advance
to meet his guest, and Lord Mayo, being
desirous to do great honour to the Ameer,
advanced to receive him at the door of the
tent whence they returned hand in hand,
and passed up to the throne, where they
sat for some time conversing in lowyoice
through an interpreter, while all present
sat or stood in dead silence gazing at them.
When this interview had continued for
some time, the Queens presents to the
Ameer were produced-not the more i'm
portant ones already mentioned, but 95, 900
worth of such trifes as clocks, musical
boxes, field-glasses, dresses of richest en-
broidered silk of every colour for his ia
vourite wife, and jewels for her and for the
child. OF course it would have been un-
seemly that he should even glance at these
things, far less seem pleased, when trays
without number were carried in and laid
at his feet. But when To these we're added
valuable collection of guns and pistols,
his eyes sparkled, for he was every inch
warrior and cared for nothing SO much as
for weapons and the pleasure of using them.
When the interview had lasted about half
an hour the two great men departed, and
the Viceroy having escorted Shere Ali Khan
to the door, had the satisfaction of himself
escaping for gallop on the Maidan, leay-
ing all the gorgeous Rajahs and Europeans
still sitting in solemn silence round the
tent, and the durbar was over.
Then followed the ceremonious dismissal
of all the potentates, some of whom must
surely have chafed at the etiquette which
forbade the Queens representative to re-
cognize their presence by word So soon
as the Ameer had driven off, having re-
ceived his full salute, two aides-de-camp,
returned, and silently taking the great Ra-
iah of Putialah by each hand, they led him
out. Then one of them returned, and
handed out each lesser rajah by one hand,
each being On his departure saluted by one
or two guns fewer than his predecessor, till
the turn came for the small chiefs, who got
no hand and no salute Thus we learn by
what minute distinctions our degrees of
homage may be varied; but it is difficult
for an Englishman to realize what immense
Importance the natives attach tosuch things,
and how immeasurable is the distance in
their estimation between the man who ranks
as fve-gun Rajah and him who is entitled
to fifteen