The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-24
RAS TAKES A BALLOON
The Shah Bristles With Millions
Worth of Diamonds.
AN INDIAN PoTENTATE FOOLS The STARS
Maharajah Of Jaipur Has His Special God's
Name Printed Upon His Visiting Carr
Thereby Working Woe Among
London's S Fair Ones.
(By the Associated Press.)


London, Aug. 23.-King Lewanika has
departed for his kraal in Barotseland,
Northwestern Rhodesia, with many i'm
pedlments, one of the most cherished
items of which consist of six silk hats.
Ras Makannen, the Abyssinian general,
is also homeward bound. Among his bag
gage is a big balloon.
The Indian Princee have disappeared
and with the departure of the Shah of
Persia Monday, London will be bereft of
its last show visitor.
The west end of London, from a So
ciety point of view, is a desert. The
members of the royal family, the Cabinet
ministers and the foreign diplomats are
scattered and all those with money
enough to enable them to do so have
fled to the Moors, rivers of various con-
tinental resorts. Twenty-one West End
clubs aggregating a membership of near
ly 1000, are closed for renovation and
the shuttered houses of Mayfair add to
the general gloominess. There is talk,
however, of a second season commenc-
ing in September with the re-opening OF
Parliament and the return of King Ed
ward to town.
The Shah has been the object OF much
attention on the part of the newspapers
for a week past, and while it is moot
point whether the monarch is really en-
joying himself certainly royal and official
London have pared no pain to that end
The round of entertainment provide for
him included everything Of light and
howy character from a visit to the wax
works to a big review of artillery at
Woolwicb, while the short intervals were
filed UP with conversations on political
matters, such as Russion attempts to Sc
cure ports on the Persion gulf, the full
fllment OF which would necessitate large
additions to the British fleet in Indian
waters The PeCsian's jewels were an
unending source of gossip.
A jewel merchant who was present
at the Shahs reception Tuesday esti-
mated that if the gems the monarch was
then wearing were put up at auction
they would fetch 3,750,OOO pounds sterling.
Today arrangements have been made for
the Shah to go Devastating in Wind
sor Great Park The Eastern visitor
expressed desire to take back a hint
ing trophy, so King Edward granted him
permission to have shot at the bucks
of the royal herd. The animals are now
in fine condition, almost tame enough to
permit of stroking them, so the Shah
should have no difficulty in securing
antlers
The last of the Indian potentates, the
Maharajah of Jaipud, sailed for his home
Friday, though officially he commenced
his journel homeward by deputy on Mon
day. 1t is customary for the Maharajah,
before starting on important journeys,
to consult the State astrologer as to
whether the planets are favorable. The
astrologer advised the Maharajah's de-
parture Monday, but as it was incon-
venient to do so, the Mahara5ah deter
mined to trick the planets and deputized
his aide-de- camp and some members Of
his suite to start and await him at
Dover.
The Maharajah has caused London
hostesses endless confusion by having the
name of his special god printed on his
visiting cards above his own name. Vari-
Gus smart women were hurt by not re-
ceiving answers to their invitations until
it was discovered that they had been ad-
dressed to the god instead Of to the
Maharaiah.
The embarkation of the Maharajah's S
baggage at Dover caused a sensation
among the provincials. especially the
removal from the train to the steamer
of an imagine of Buddha and copper
vessels containing sacred Ganges water,
which was carried out by the priests of
the suite with great ceremonial Among
the Maharajah's baggage was a bassinet
a bicycle, horse and small tricycle..