The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-12-15

reached Jodhpore, were provided with fall
cons and hawks, some of them so large and
bulky as to be rather unwieldy; and while
these passengers fumbled for their tickets,
the birds sat on their shoulders or balanced
themselves on their vOluminouS turbanS.
The train reached JOdhpore at noon, and
made a long halt. In the little restaurant
tiifin for one was ready on the table, and
for the sum of one rupee was uncommonly
liberal in quantity. Ham and eggs, chops,
and a broiled chicken We're the principal
items which were inscribed on the unvary-
ing bill of fare framed and hung on the
wall. The environs of the station were
hardly recognizable, so great had been the
change in six years. Where all had been
sand before, there were now dense gardens,
and the dark and glossy green foliage
tempered by the rawncss of the new stone
houses which had sprung up on every side.
Had it not been for the distant castle and
the desert ridge one might have fancied
ones self in some new suburban town of
the far West. From this point on, the line
is new, and after leaving the station, we
passed close to the modern palace of the
rajah built of dark red stone, with innum-
cradle white cupolaS and covering a great
amount of ground.
While the train waited ut Jodhpore Il
portly and consequential parsonage entered
the compartment, attended as far as the
door by Il youth in a crimson frock-
ornamcntCd with black velvet collar and
cuffs and brass buttons, and wearing
yellow plaid breeches and Il scarlet turban.
The parsonage wore gold rings on his toes
as well as his ears. and he was followed by
several rctaincrS, who spread out his bed
ding on the opposite divan, and after max
ing him comfortable, they all left for their
own compartments. Either from curiosity
or from Il desire to be agrCcahlc-for the
Indian who has not travelled much in
English speaking countries still considers
it mark Of courtesy to show an interest
in his fellow mcn--ny viS-a-yis proceeded
.
been Installed on the platform, was called
in to interpret and having explained my
object in visiting Bikanr to my fellow
Traveller, he announced himself rc4ency
council Of thai state. Now. there j. one
thing in which the InGun cast" system is
more fortunate chan ours. He who is born
to the purple wears his birthr@ht cmblaz-
oncd on his forehead in the shape of
caste mark. lie has, besides, a distinguish
ing costume and, moreover, his face shows
the hereditary stamp OF his race, 50 there
is no mStaiimg anyone OF bascr origin for
member of that limited bat august order .
Either his dress or his caste mark is equiv
alrnt to the legend sometimes seen ON
patent medicine bottles, "To initiate this
is felony, and, indeed, it would be felony
of the deepest dye to infringe on the Raj
poot patent of nobility. During our Jour
ncy to Bikanir the conductor Frequently
partook OF food, strange homeopathic little
mesSes OF yellow paste, pomrgranate seeds,
and Sliced cucumbers in small glass dishes,
while he gosSiped with his " bearer" who
served them on tray ut his feet. VIII n
time hung heavily on his hands he would
get up and change some article of clothing,
and late in the afternoon his servants
brought him an entire outfit, assisting him .
first to pull of his thin undervest, showing
an e%panse Of glossy brown skin. They
then proceeded to wind him mp in a long
piece Of tinted white muslin of deli
cate, filmy texture, and bordercd with red.
This function, like exercise, seemed to
renew his appetite, and he had another
"go' mt the little glass dishes. \ sliding
door at one end of the compartment opened .
on to narrow platform, with a leathered
seat at each end, which could he opened .
across the platform or shut down against
the rail when not in use.