Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-01-11
7--,-- ONE QUEEN IN INDIA.
The Maharanee of Kunigel and
 Her Mode of Living.
Surrounded by Luxury and Beauty tba Royal Prisoner Dreams Away Her Days in Oriental
 SpIendor.

splendor.
 The maharanee of Kunigal is very beautiful woman. Her tall figure IS draped with airy and artistic effect. The robe consists of much soft India silk, elaborately embroidered, arranged about her in mysterious grace, very, enigma of garment without the eX- planution of a single stitch It is close- lv .plaited at the waist in front, falling in a fan-lilze train over the feet, and fastened with a band of gold that is studded with ereseents of pearls. This garment is short in the back and is brought over the shoulders, hanging in soft, loose folds. Her left arm dis plays bracelet of costly gems of rare beauty and of profound historic in- terest which carries one back to the time of Cleopatra. It was found among some other buried treasures more than a century ago, when the remote anees- tors of the late king acquired it. This bracelet is supposed to have the power to resist the venom of all species of rep tiles tiny linked chain connects it to one of no less value at the wrist Jeweled sandals grace her otherwise unclad neither limbs, surmounted by anklets of gold.
 She will often express 10 her friends the great pleasure it would afford her. to be able to go freely among her peo- pie. This is, however, forbidden her by the exacting and severe law of her caste, for, being a Brahmin, she is obliged to adhere strictly to the flaw. of inclosure.n This eompels her at the age of twelve to be yelled and live in seclusion for the remainder of her life. This rigid deprivation of all enjoyment of the world is necessarily a severe shock to the sensibibility of even an eastern queen. Never again does she receive or converse with one of the op- posfte sex, save only her husband, the mahaSjah. Neither is a domestic of her household permitted to look upon her, otherwise her caste would be. broken and her birthright cancelled. This law among high caste seems cruel and inconsistent, but the penalty of disobedience is supreme. The violator of q law so sacred among the sex as  tiny awaiting her. She is expelled from among her tribe in shame to be- come an outeast, cxiled from within the walls of the city for her crime.
 But the present naharanec, says Q foreign exchange, now in her twenty fourth year, has six little brown faces to cheer her solitude. Her apartments, large and luxurious, occupy one side of the palace, opening one into an-. other. Through long tapestried win dows she steps into her private gar dens, where the air is perfuned with the delicious fragrance of flowers. The little rustic bridges that greet the eye occasionally through these grounds connect the many beautiful terraces beneath which flows refreshing and babbling brook, which, however, must babble no secrets. RiFulets and brooks are treasures i'll India. They are few and far between in this region of mag nifeence. Here the royal prisoner. for so she is, takes her daily exercise, joined occasionally by her children, who come with the delightful antiei- patton of hearing some new fairy tales from the lips of the beautiful mcm- sahib-who happens to be a rare story tcller-as she is seated in one of her fayorite arhors where the citron vines envelop the happy little group, pie turc only eastern.
 When the maharanee wishes to leave her apartments the command is given, and in moment the turbaned at- tendants that crowd the halls dis appear as if by magic The silence that follows endues the surroundings with the air of q sanctuary rather than that of a palace. Presently there breaks upon the stiffness the faint tink1ing of bell that announces the royal presence, and the maharanee comes forward, stately, gracious, kind- ly, every inch Q queen"
 When she drives into the country in her state carriage-a relaxation winch she thoroughly enjoys, being true lover of nature she must go closely yelled. Rarely a week passes without a trip through the picturesque miedown lying between Kunigal and Bangalore Here the range of mountains to the west with their majestic sllylines show to the greatest advantage the play of light and shade at sunset.
 In travelling, the maharanee occupies private compartments, which are high ly decorated and delicately furnished in oriental style, arranged so that she may with ease enjoy the view of tho hills and plains and yet not be seen, accompanied by her ladies in waiting who share the same privilege. When the destination is reached an awnsng is immediately erected which forms complete passage to the state carriage that awaits her, so that there is no pos sible chance of satisfying the curious gaze of all castes who patiently leol1 for her arrival. She is always glad to see European ladies, as she is pleased to call all foreigners, no matter of what nationality. She eonvegses free ly in several of the native languages, especially Hindostani and Canarcase, and speaks English fluently. She loves to hear of other countries an1 tho