The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-10-05
A RAJAH's MANSION.

Description of Visit to the Elegant Home
OF Indian Prince.
When | was finishing busy day, in
company with Mr.. May, we stopped al
the house of Rajah, on a side Of Cal
cutta which I had not visited before.
The magnificent home Of a native
Hindu Prince is always a place OF in
terest The fact that such a thing ex-
| lists, is of itself remarkable The Eng
| lish ave had matters Their own way,
and, ike the Give, could easily have
| absorbed about all the wealth Of the
country On the contrary. they have
been just and moderate. Even the
Princes who arrayed themselves
against Tnaia during the mutfny have
not been turned adrift without a rupee.
Many of the noble families are to-day
drawing pensions from the general
treasury, and living in vast luxury.
There are many others, b hsWeFer. who
| seem TO have been in no way connected
with the political complications Of the
country. and are in the undisturbed en-
ioyment of their vast estates. The
English respect for native rights in
India is one of the most remarkable
illustrations of political justice in his
tory. 1t Is as far above modern SPANS
treatment of her colonial possessions.
or ancient Ronne's procedure in rels-
ton to her conquered provinces. ss
Christianity is above and beyond either
ancient or modern paganism-
The entrance from the street to this
Rajah's home Is large. and unguarded
By servants. There is large circular
court. with pond for marine fowls
and fishes. In the trees there are par
rots and other tame birds
Our cards AT the door of the great
mansion secured Us prompt admission.
The furniture wis rich, and mostly in
European style, but there were some
old pieces Of elaborate Indian work
manship- Marble objects of ornament,
and r.cIi floors. and finely wrought
wainscoting. and tall mirrors were to
bc seen on every hand The rooms
were in part in suits. and in part Iocaf-
ed sin.iS, as quiet hooks for conversa-
! ton and retirement. Some OF the
larger halls and chambers were in pro-
cess of new decoration
In India much of the work of ernbel-
siiing. and even of the moro solid dec
Grafton IN stone. Is done BIZ artists IN
the house. ard not in the distant work
shops The marble cutters. instead of
finishing the objects away from the
house, do It on the spot where tEey
ere to be used. It is no short
task. therefore. to pat native house
in order in India. Wood and stona are
brought to the place in the rough. and
the gorkmen. IN large numbers carry
out their plaas within the eye of the
owner Of the house In this Raiah's
house was al the litter OF a great Flor
entine marble workshop. Here was
work going on in fine mosaic. the ar
lists. no doubt, having come from
Agra for the special purpose There
were many servants and overseers.
oriental costume, and all having their
specific duties.
The grandson of the Raiah aeourtIy
young Rtienan. conversed with US
few minutes, and then withdrew. The
intelligent attendant who had received
Us 1T first was IN no haste. but gave rs
ample time to examine this immense
building and ali its appointments and
the surrounding grounds One thing
here greatly astonished me-tEle appar-
ent naodesty of the wealthy native Ii
he has an ostentltious spirit. ii is hard
to detect It He says nothing in praise
of his rare birds. or fine mosaics. vast
halls, or the immense boa con ssrie-
tors. which wind about. or sleep in the
meadow behind the close wire fence.
He simply stands at a distance. or
leaves servant with you. and only
bows his head in acknowledgement Of
any words of appreciation which you
may say concerning any beautiful or
surprising collection.