The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-30
A GLOR|F|ED DELHI
RECEIVES CURzON
The Viceroy Enters Like a
Victorious Caesar.
AN ORIENTAL PAGEANT
The Report Reads Like Page From The Ara
bian Nights or LaIa Rookh. A
Scene of SDlendor Never
Surpassed.
1Ry the Associated Press.)


Delhi, India, Dec. 29.-The Viceroy
Lord Curzon, OF Kedleston, made his
State entry today into the capital of the
Mosuls. This constituted the official
oepning of the Durbar held to celebrate
the accession of King Edward as En-
peror of India.
unparalleled in it's magnificence. AT the
head of the elephant procession rode
Lord and Lady Curzon on the State
grand tusker, twelve feet high, the
largest elephant in India. Their howdah
was decked with gold and silver and the
elephant itself was almost hidden be-
meath gold worked saddle cloth. Sur
rounding them were footmen in scarlet
and gold liVeries and bearing massive
silver slaves. The Duke of Cannaught,
who represented King Edward, and the
Duchess of Connaught followed. Their
elephant was equally gorgeously capari
soned. Then, in order of precedence,
came the Nizam of Hydeabad. the Ma
harajah of Travancore and other ruling.
chiefs, seventy in all, their huge ele-
plants forming line a quarter of mile
in length
This glittering procession started from
the railroad station preceded by dragon
guard and artillery, the viceroy's escort,
and by heralds and trumpeters. The route
as entirely lined by British and native
troops.
From the saluting battery, posted at
the fort commanding the Lahore Sate,
guns thundered a royal salute as the
viceroy passed with the heralds and
trumpeters sounding at intervals spirited
fanfares. The cortege passed in front of
a line of $50 elephants, carrying the
brilliantly dressed retainers of the ruling
chiefs The colossal beasts, all saluted
by trumpeting and throwing their trunks
in the air, presenting truly imposing
sight and afterward fell in line behind
the official procession. Huge crowds OF
on-lookers witnessed the spectacle,
which, it is asserted. has never been sur
passed in manificence even in this coun-
try of Oriental splendor.
The heralds pursuivant and trumpet
ers who followed the escort and i'm
mediately preceded the vice regal process,
were conspicuous by their splendid at
tire. They were followed by the newly
constituted Imperial Cadet Corps, COM
frising thirty Maharajahs.
The excitement was at fever heat as
the first elephants with gold and silver
howdahs of the staff officers, came in
view and commenced to circle around the
mosque The finest elephants in Asia
passed in front of the Great Jumma
Musjid, the steps of which were thronged
with distinguished personages, including
the Viceroys American and British
guests and the delegates from the col
onies and from other parts of the en-
pire The enormous animals shuffled
slowly by, many of the massive howdahs
of quaint and rich design being surround
cd by magnificent canopies of gold en-
broidered and bejewelled tapestry. The
bodies of the animals were almost hid
den by their trappins of crimson, golden
bracelets, were on their ankles, gold and
silver bells were hanging from their neck
chains and their goads were printed and
decorated in every conceivable color
The mahouts were clad in the brightest
attire as were the attendant spearmen,
who marched by the elephants sides.
In the rear of the procession rode Gen.
eral Lord Kitchener, the commander in
chief in India. surrounded by a brilliant
staff and followed by the heads of the
provinces, with escorts of Indian cavary
and tribal leaders from beyond the bor-
der line.
Down the main street moved the
cortege, through lines of saluting SOL
diers and excited, surging, salaaming g
throngs of natives through the ancient
city, with the balconies and house tops
teemin with life, and through the
Moree Gate into the open park beyond.
Then after a four miles march. the ele-
plants of the Viceroy and the Duke of
Connaught halted, side by side, and the
pageant was concluded with the great
Princess filing by. their elephants trump
citing a salute.
The Viceroy was in state uniform.
Lady Curzon was dressed in grey, the
Duke of Connaught had on field mar
shal's uniform, and the Duchess of Con-
naught was attired in blue. They re-
ceived a fiattering welcome at all points
The Viceroy and the Duke of Connaught
subsequently drove, to the main camp.
The roads, after the passage of the
procession presented a scene of chaos,
as the camel carriages, mule carts,
landaus, bicycles and bullock carts press
ed ionwSrd in confusion. There wete
many break downs and many hours
elapsed before the people were able to
return to their camps.