The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-09
A QUEEN ~ INDIA.
She Il Pretty, Wears Many Earrings aud N
Nose Hutton, and Speaks English.

From the Boston Erenlay TfunsrrlR.
The life OF a queen IL not altogether so ethc
real and blissful as some of us ordinary mortal,
would suppose. 1t has drawbacks and incon,
veniences innumerable. This il particularly
marked in the lives OF the Brah,nln queens OF
India. The present Maharnnec OF kunieul Is nc
exception. This daughter of the East. so much
admired and loved by all who are 50 fortunate as
tomeet her. exists among Il host OF worshippors
secluded from the outer world and its nitrac.
tons, rs the fair goddess Of her tribe. A
queen whose impulses are ever for good. she
Yields u rare influence over all. Her Constant
thought is for those. around her, and especially
for those OF her subjects who are needy and
destitute. She Is never happier than when
others, even sometimes those who may be the
most abjcct among n great nation. Her sim
plicity and winning ways are captivating: she
play in the nursery. which Is n fairyland.
The maharanee the queen is q picture OF
well covet.. Her rich olive complexion contrasts
well with the nrofusion, of raven hair, that is
shapelv head. and fastened with jewailed pins,
a small wreath OF jasmine or stcphanotis usually
entwincd therein. Her features are long. with
bright laughing eyes, and her firm mouth dis
plays the most perfect teeth. Her ears are
literally, filled with precious. stones, there being
ten or eleven distinct holes in each, graduating
in size to the tip. In her right nostril is set n
tiny jewelled button, and around her neck are
charms OF various Significance. but all are sup
Her tall figure is drnped with airy and nrtis-
tic effect. The robe consists of much soft India
silk, deliberately embroidered, arranged about
her in mysterious grace. a very enign1 OF gar
ment without the explanation Of a single stitch.
II Is closely pleated at the waist in front. falling
in n fap-like train over the feet, and fastened
with n belt Of gold that is studded with cres-
cent Gents OF pe r. brS, ms garment Is short In the
in soft loose folds. Her left arm displays a
bracelet OF costly gems Of rare beauty and of
back TO the time n Cleopatra. it was found
among some other Buried treasures more than
late king acquired IL. This bracelet Is supposed
to have the power to resist tho venom Of all
meets IL TO one of no less value at the wrist. Jew
elled sandals grace her otherwise unclad neither
limbs. snrmounied by anklets Of gold.
She will often express to- her friends the great
pleasure 1t would afford her to be able TO go
freely among her people. This is. however, for
caste. for, being a Brahmin. she is obliged TO
adhere strictly to the law OF Enclosure" This
and i've in seciusion for the remainder of her
life. This rigid deprivation Of all enjoyment Of
the world is necessarily, a severe shock TO the
sensibility Of even an Eastern queen. Never
again does she receive or converse with one Of
the opposite sex, save only her husband the
hold permitted to look upon her, otherwise her
caste would be broken and her birthright can
cruel and Inconsistent, but the penalty OF dis
obedience is supreme. The violator Of n law
so sacred - among The sex as that Of T. enGlos-
-. $500 $500 N''i "oiliih V
She is expelled from among her tribe ia shame
TO become an outcast, exiled from within the
walls OF the city for her crime.
BUT the present maharanee, now in her
twenty-foprth year, has six little brown faces
and luxurious, occupy one side OF the palace.
opening one into another. Through long tap
es,ried windows she steps into her private
delicious, fragrance of flowers. The little rustic
bridges that greet the eye occasionally through
races beneath which flows a refreshing and
brook. which, however. must babble no
secrets. kiyulets and brooks are treasures in
this region OF magnifcence Here the royal
prisoner, for so she is, takes her daily, exercise,
come with the delightful anti"ipa:ion Of
hearing some new fairy tales from The lips Of
rare story teller as she is seated IN one Of her
favorite nrbors where the citron vines envelope
When the maharaneo wishes 10 leave her
apSrtments the command is given, and in u
the halls d his isrGl az II 5Ss V masia' T rhst . fE9%d
that follows endues the surroundings with the
ar OF a sanctuary rather than that OF, a palace.
faint tinkling OF a bell that announces the royal
presence, and the ,maharanee comes forward,
gracious, kindly. every inch a queen"
When she drives into the country in her state
rarriage a relaxation which she thoroughly
enjoys, being a true lover OF nature She must
go closely yelled. Rarely "a week passes with
out a trip through the picturesque midtown
lying between kunigal and Bangalore; Here
The range OF mountains To the west with their
skyiines show TO the greatest advan-
lage the play Of light and shade at sunset.
In travelling the maharanee occupies private
Compartments which are highly decorated and
ielicately furnished ia Oriental style, arranged
20 that she may with ease enjoy the view of
he hills and plains and yet not he seen. accom-
panied by her ladies 20 waiting who share tho
an awning is Immediately erected Witch
.orns a complete passage TO the state carriage
hat awaits her so that there is no possible
'astes who patiently look for her arrival. She
: always glad 20 see " European ladies" as she
pleased locall all foreigners, no matter OF what
lationality. She cOnVerses freely In several OF
he native languages, especially HindOstani and
Janarease. and speaks English huentiy. She
nd customs OF other people. Sine is paTticu-
adTly Interested Ia all that pertains TO America.
5 well as an accomplished soldier. In cnmpany
With SOME Of the officers OF the English army,
iyen the district several times during the year.
he meet takes place at Madras, which may be
Iessed a. clever fests OF hOrsemanship, both in
teeplechases ana fiat races. as win applause on
ne world-Iamed English turf; The European
isplay OF tinery 10 witness the faYOTites OF the
cid speed TOR the maharaiah's cup, valued at
The mahAranee rs no less a lover OF the sport;
here Is mo one more eager than she 70 hear OF
he excitement Of a race or how some faVorits
.rab Jared In IT,. Yet il is her fate 20 be sacri-
eed to caste. She Is a Queen and still IS she a
and prisoner. Ii happens, however. that
be holds In esteem a certain European lady Of
whose house fortunately overIooks
be race course. Here she occasionally comes
nth a limited number Of ladies Of her own
hoosing, 20 become an Interested spectator be-
ind a lightly draped window, arranged 10 re-
the memsahIb OF any embarrassment. She
'Oks ON the exciting scene before her, with
5 rainbow OF colOrs, As a little world in itself
range aud foreign 10 her. She enters warmly
Ito the spirit OF the occasion. and for the mo-
she seems 10 have found freedom in her
Apply delight. She freely gives her opinion as
the probable victor. and shows the enthusi-
I'M OF a child II her favorite in the race first
lows his nose TO the front Of the winning post.
ere she fingers among her merry circle OF
lends till the field OF racers and their en-
-azoned Jockeys become a vision Of the past. (