The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-30
PALACE OF THE WcERGf.
Copied After Lord CurIon's Anesssfs
Home In England.

Iuli.E Ralph IA Hs-pss's Weakly.
The massive carved ratings at the sides
are all but hid beneath densely growing
vines that have been trained 10 form TWO
sianting walls OF foliage there TWO tow
srinS palms, one on either side OF the
grand staircase. hold UP their rouno.
cioudlike tops OF feathery fronds as ii
they, we're a pair OF huge brusnes-ths
symbols of power among most Eastern
peoples A breadth OF carpet, royal pur-
pie in hue. has been flung down the MD
Ole OF the stairway. and on the TOD lahu-
ing. before the splendid columns which
support the Grecian front OF the palace.
stand men Of the Viceroy's brilliant red
body-guard, turbaned. and carrying
Iances. each with tiny flag at top.
This body-guard is composed OF 10 men,
picked for their size and bearing. Ihey
wear long red coats, which reach 10 their
bcot-tops above their knees. Their varie-
gated turbans, mainly red. are OF great
size. Their many minor trappings aid IN
rendering them d notable feature OF any
scene in which they are placed.
Except upon occasions Of state, the car
rage entrance to the palace is under the
grand staircase and on the ground hoor.
AS you step from your carriage you see
other gorgeous men Of the body guard
and knots of servants of the household
loCnging in the enormous hall wish L
had inquired the number OF servants IN
the Viceroy's employ, because they are so
numerous that when one dimes at the pal
ace they seem to move in clouds around
the table. / visited a native prince one
day in the temporary quarters where he
was halting. and he had sixty-hye men TO
look after his comforts. OF the Viceroy 5
staff / can only say that when you visit
him you do not need to take your valet
with you 20 wait on you at table. as is the
general rule in India.
Lord Wellesley built this palace, copy
ing IL from the mansion which has de-
scended to Lord CurZon from his ances-
tors, and in which he spent his boy
hood. That house is Kedleston Hall, In
Derbyshire, enc OF the noted mansions
of Great Britain. Wellesley had visited
its owner, and was so impressed by Its
stately grandeur that when the oppor-
tunity came for him 10 put up the first
English governmental palace in India he
could think Of nothing better than to copy
this noble pile. He improved upon the
original. He made the four great wings
each three stories high TO match the CEN
trail building. They are story lower IN
the Curzon mansion in Derbyshire.
It is a strange trick Of fortune whicn
now brings Lord Curzon to rule india
Burmah, and the other allied dominions
under his control from what seems the
very hall in which he spent his boyhood
| in the mother-land. More curious yet Is
the tale now whispered by those who are
near to him, TO the effect that when ne
saw the palace on his first visit to India
a strange but powerful superstition seized
his mind, and he said to himself, Il shall
one day be the master OF that house
also"
Anothed bit OF yiceregal gossip, trine
more sentimental and moving, IS thai
which couples Rudyard Kipling with thi:
grand advance from the English country
| seat to the Oriental palace. 1t runs thus
that when the gifted Englishman wrote
| his name In Lady Curzon's album. some
years ago, he said to her, THE next timt
/ write my name in your house 1t will bs
| in Government House, Calcutta"