The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-02

A descendant of the grand moguls
who at one time were the rulers of
all India, a grandson of the ablest.
most powerful maharajah who opposed
the English in their contest of Hin
doostan and whose riches were fabu-
lous-this last of the male line of the
oldest, proudest family in India has
been declared bankrupt by the Eng
lsh courts.
Prince Victor Albert Jay Dhuleep
Singh, says the Chicago Chronicle, was
the first Hindoo to wed an English
peerless. She was Lady Anne Coven-
try, the eldest daughter of the Earl
of Coventry. Her brother. Viscount
Deerhurst, married Miss Virginia Bo-
nynge after he became a. bankrupt,
and her cousin. the Earl of Craven,
married the only daughter of Bradley
Martin, so Americans feel a personal
interest in this Indian prince in addi-
ton to the glamour and romance that
history has cast about him and the
fact that he once made a stir in Amer
lean society.
Inc WHlTIlHlB Ot tiltiC anu ioltehN-
ity of the East India Company have
taken from this young man a heritage
| which would have made him one of
the rich men of the earth. His grand
father, Ranjit Singh, left hundreds of
millions. Even after his possessions
were looted by some of the most en-
terprising and skillful wholesale rob-
bers that ever drew breath, after his
own followers and rowing adventur-
ers, to say nothing of a conquering
army, had carried off his stores of
treasure, there remained nearly $780,
900, 900 of personal property which be-
longed to his little son. In addition
to vast quantities of precious stones
the wonderful koh-i-noor diamond,
one of the most famous jewels in the
world, was a part of his fortune.
Can't Pay His Debts.
But the legitimate heir to all this
wealth cannot pay his debts. The last
of the line of the proudest family of the
proudest people that ever lived is
common bankrupt.
1t must not be supposed from this
that Prince Victor Dhuleep Singh is
wholly without resources. He has an
income Of $4,000 year allowed him by
the British government. But he de-
clares that this is totally inadequate
to meet his necessary expenses and so
he is compelled to seek the protection
of the courts. A bankrupt in England
has no enviable position. For instance,
a bankrupt peer may not take his seat
in the House of Lords until all his
debts are paid.
Prince Victor refuses to feel that any
disgrace attaches to his being legally
declared a bankrupt. He says that II
there Is any odium 1t should fall upon
the British government, which broke
faith with his family.
1t is true that the late queen made
a formal order that Prince Victor's
English wife should have precedence
over all duchesses of England at state
functions. which is a tremendous hon
or, but that doesn't pay bills. A good
many persons would be willing to pay
Prince Victor's bills several times over
for the privilege enjoyed by his wife IL
1t were transferable.
Popular I'm English Society.
Prince Victor always has been ex-
tremely popular in the highest English
society. A young woman who met him
few years ago described him as ter
ribly fascinating" His education has,
of course been wholly English, and
yet he has managed to acquire, in
some mysterious way, profound
knowledge of the occult lore of the
East. He is an accomplished musician,
rides remarka bly, WELL a good cricket
err and polo player and is a highly Gull
tiVated and well-informed man. AS a
youth he was extremely handsome,
having a slender, well-knit figure, with
the large, expressive eyes of the high
caste Hindoo and tiny hands and feet.
OF late years he has become fat, as
do all orientals who lead luxurious
lives.
Prince Victor's father was Dhuieep
Singh, who was deposed when he was
but years old. The personal wealth
of the boy at that time was about
500, 100000. and he owned the koh-i-
moor as we'll as many gems less ia
nous. He was practically compelled
to present the great diamond TO Queen
Victoria, although much stress was laid
on the statement that he gave the dia-
mond willingly. As a matter of fact,
he had to part with IL. and II was
wise to make a virtue Of necessity. II
was stipulated that while Dhuleep
Singh should be stripped of all power
he was to be recognized as "A mahara-
jah, maintain a court and receive the
dignities and honors due to his station
Furthermore. IL was stipulated that ne
would receive an annual allowance OF
100000. As a matter Of fact, nearly
everything was taken from him ex-
cept "A very few personal belongings
During bis minority he was given an
income OF about 100000 a year. His
tutor a kindly, just plouR man, con-
ceiyed a great affection for Dhulsep
Singh, whom he converted 10 Chris
tianity When the indian prince ar