Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-21

IN diameter the effect Is very striking
side BY side with these, and equally VI
via In color, were the custer roses, an
other winter shrub bearing an immense
quantity OF nuffy bright yellow dos
SONS, which resemble the yellow Per-
sian rose. Contrasting with these
bright hues were the varied shades OF
the Ne, and cltron trees, and the leatN
mangocs shading the avenues throuSh
which we drove, while above al tow
cred the feathery tops of the bananas
end oocoanut palms.
studded about the grounds, ana ADD
ing not n little 20 the plcturesqueness
were houses, painted blue, green, yell
low and red. Tho smaller Of these be.
ing temples 10 the various gods ana
others occupied by the ra1ah's I'M
mense collection Of animals, birds, ana
rpDtilcs our guides told us, that ne
had n larger number Of specimens OF
the later genus than could be found az
any other place IN the presidency A
peculiar hobby, IN my opinion for that
parr OF india ID infested with SNAKES,
ana we were personally more Interested
I'm tholi determination, than their pres-
eryatlOn but --chaqu'un q son gouU'
IIltN MNlf WHY tHNlNhN W. W.
alight and visit the menagerles ana
averles, but we declined, as Miss COOK
had already seen thom and, as laugh
ingly told her, ! was more ANXIOUS 10
see The human specimens WITHIN the
palace,
The rajah was also very fond Of pig
cons, and hundreds of these dainty llt-
tie creatures were flying about so tame
that az they curyetted around uS they
almost touched our horses heads,
on the road we passed ten elephants,
richly capansoned, which our guides
told us were being sent to q neighDor-
lng town to take part In procession, In
honor of one Of the gods. They were
fine animals, and added not little TO
the general effect.
Dotted here and there were small or
namental lakes, In India called tanks
These contained a.gh SO tame that they
ate from the hdnI' Of d native who was
feeling them, while at the waters edge
stood several storks and adjutapts
gravely watching the proceedings, as
Ii wondering when their turn would
comel :,
our interest was now concentrated
upon the palace, which we were ap.
preaching. II Is built upon a hill, and
presents an extremely picturesque APP
pearance, az tier upon tier rises It's
succession Of domes and watch towers,
In bewidering confusion. The entire
building Is OF white stone exqulsitely
carved white In place OF windows are
rows OF arches, leading out on to We
| randas, or the flat roofs OF the build
ings below,
our conductors I'D us to the princl-
| nal entrance, where our cyce took
charge or the carriage, while we fol-
| lowed our guides through an archway
! into an open courtyard. paved with
| tiles OF various colors, In the center OF
which was a large fountain and tank
surrounded by palms and ferns, Here
| were seated several native gentlemen,
! reclining In bamboo chairs, chatting and
smoking their hookahs, who eyed US
curlously but did not attempt TO rise,
The raiah, however, upon observing US,
advanced with many salaams and
protestatons Of pleasure at our visit,
| the rest continuing their smoking as
complaccntly as ever. He walked with
us to the further end Of tho courtyard
making enquiries after the health OF
different members Of the mis-
sion, whom he had met, and begged
our acceptance OF two long strings
Of unpublished amber beads, which gave
us great pleasure, not only on account
OF their value, but as souvenirs OF our
visit
Taking leave ot us he returned 10 his
companions, while we followed our
guide up a flight Of marble steps into
mn immense reception hall. The floor.
as In the case OF the outer court, was
paved with mosaic but OF still finer
marbles The ceiling, the center OF
which was In the form OF dome. was
built OF carved sandal wood emitting
an exquisite odor. The roof was sup
ported by square pillars. composed OF
eight slender columns OF different kinds
OF stone, In contrasting colors, the base
and cap stones being alternately OF
black and pure white marble. Upon
the walls were hung reed mats, OF va
tIous designs and from the ceiling large
ilgree lamps Of curious Workman
ship, inlaid with medalions Of different
colored glass, This auditorium was
surrounded by arches, leading into
smaller courts. and ante rooms. The
entrances TO the latter were covered
with curtains, made of reeds or heads
At one OF these our guide stopped and
clapped his hands,
Immediately young man appeared
"a eunuch) who led us through a Ions
winding passage into smaller court
yard around which were situated the
2enana khannas, or women's apart
ments.
On entering one Of these. most pic
turesque scene met our view. Reclin-
ing upon the floor on Turkish rugs, and
cushions, covered with tiger skins, were
ten or twelve beautiful girls, gorgeous.
IS attlred In soft silks and handsomely
, embroidered satlns. Upon their heads
they wore gau2e wells worked with gold
thread, beetles wings and even pre-
cious stones
They lay with a grace peculiar "a
eastern women, with one arm restine
, upon a large bolster, the richness OF
their attire and surroundings addinr
not q little 10 the beauty Of their lus.
trous eyes, long silky hair anC
> Bwarthy compilations.
r The air Of the room was redolent witt
/ perfume, and through an arch on on,
b side, could be seen a conservatory. con.
tanning a choice collection of tropica
plants. In this fountain was playing
/ the gentle splashing Of the water seem
4 ING to lull our senses into harmony
d with the restful spirit Of the place.
p From the ceiling hung lamps OF diff
d ferent shades, casting roseate hue
4 over the entire apartment 80 underlined
In tone that II reminded me rather OF 2
~ sunrise than any definite color.
4 on ebony pedestals, inlald with silver
I and mother-of-pcarl, stood iardinIer.
4 containing palms and Towering shrubs
Z and In the conservatory birds were Nv.
4 Ing about as fearlessy as II Il were
H a part OF the beautiful garden OF Eden
: As we approached the ladies' rose witt
O ordinations OF Joy and crowded rount
= us, clapping their hands gleefully, ant
10 all talking at once J. being stranger
8 was naturally an object OF curiosity
10 ana after asking my name they repeat
n ed It, one after another, laughing mer
: rily the while, some Of them addlnt
!. / mlschiey0usly the English word "pret
Il W as a prefix. Then, when they
l. thought my attention was diverted the,
d. touched my clothing with the tins o
n their fingers, laughing like children
y when they found had discovered thei
is tricks
N D. Soon they sent for some bambo,
chairs, for our use, and throwing them
d selves at our feet, piled us with cues
F. tons or every description. az well A.