Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-30


Lord Curzon, of Ked1eston. made his stats
entry to-day into the capital Of the Mo-
guls. This constituted the official open.
ing of the Durbar held to celebrate the ac-
eession OF King Edward as Emperor oe
India.
It was splendid pageant. probably un-
paralleled in its nagnideence. AT the
head OF the elephant procession rode Lord
and Lady curzon, on the state Grand
Tusker,a twelve feet high. the largest ale-
ptiant IN India. Their howdah was decked
with gold and silver. and the elephant
itself was almost hidden beneath a gold-
worked saddle cloth.
Surrounding them were footmen In scar
let and gold liveries. and bearing masstya
silver staves. The Duke OF connaught.
who represented King Edward. and this
Duchess Of Connaught. followed. Their
elephant was equally gorgeously capa
risoned- Then, in order OF preesdeIcs,
came she Nizam of Hrderabad, the Ma
harajah OF Travancore, and other ruilnss
chiefs. seventy In all, their huge ele-
pkanfs forming a line a quarter of a mile
In length. ss
GlitteFinS Procession.
This glittering procession started from.
the railroad station. preceded by dragoon
guards and artillery, the Viceroy's escort
and by hsralds and trurnpeters. Fne
route was entirely lined by British and
native troops. From the saluttng bat
tery, posted at the fort commanding tho
Lahore gate, guns thundered a royal .sa-
5 lutte as the viceroy passed with the her.
aids and trumpeters sounding at intervals
spirited fanfares The cortese passed
IT. front Of a line of one hundred and htty
elephants, carrying the brilllantly-dressed
retainers OF the ruling chiefs The colos+
sal beasts all saluted by trumpetfng and
throwing their trunks into the air.. pre-
senttng truly imposing sight and after.
ward fell into line Behind the official
procession.
Huge crowds of onlookers witnessed tho
spectacle, which. it Is asserted. has never
been surpassed in gnfftcenees even III
this country OF oriental splendor y no.
heralds. pursuivants and trumpeters who
followed the escort and Immediately PEE
ceded the ViceroyaI procession were con-
spicuous by their splendid attire. Tbey
were followed by the newly-constituted
Imperial cadet corps. composing thirtss
NIaharajahs-
Finest Elephants In Asia.
The excitement was at fever heat as tbs,
first elephant gaily carrisoned. OF the
staff, came into view and circled around
the mosque. The finest elephants In ASIA
passed in front OF the great Jumma Mus
lid. the steps OF which were thronged
with distinguished personages. tnelud-
ing the sVice.oy's American and Brftis1
guests, and the deiegat tes from the scolon-
les, and from other parts Of the Empire.
, The enormous animals shuffled slowly by
many OF the massive howdahs of quaint
and rich design being surrounded by
magnificent canopies Of gold-embroidered
and re-iewelled tapestry. The bodies
of the animals were almost hidden by
their trappings of crimson. golden bracs-
lets were on thir ankles, gold and silver
bells were hanging from their neck
chains, and their heads were painted and
decorated in every conceivable color. Tha
mahouts were clad in the brightest att
tire, 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 brilliant
staff and followed by the heads OF the
provinces. with escorts OF Indian cavalry,
and tribal leaders from beyond the hor-.
der line Down the main street moved
| the cortege, through lines OF salutlng sol.
diers, and excited, surgfug, salaaming
tI1rongs OF natives, through the ancient
! city, with the balconies aud housetops
teeming with life. and through the Mo-
rec gate into the open park beyond
There. after a four-miIe march. the eie-
plants Of the Viceroy and the Duke OF
Connaught, halted side by side. and ths
pageant was concluded with the great
| princes filing by. their elephants truin-
peting a salute
Lady Curxon In Grey
The viceroy was in State uniform. Lady
Curzon was dressed in gray, the Duke
OF Connaught had on a field n1arshaffs
uniform. and the Duchess Of Connansht
was attired In blue They recaiyaa .
fattering welcome ut nll points.
The vlceroy and the Duke OF Con-
naught subsequently, drove to the main
camp.
The roads. after the procession. pre-
| sented scene OF chaos. the cams!s. cars
riages. bicycles. bullock carts and Ian.
daus pressed on In strange confusion.
/ There were many breakeowns. and many
hours elapsed before the people were abi0
I to return to their camps
ICH|LD LEFT ALONE