The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-02

Delhi, India, December 29.-The Vice
roy, Lore Curzon, of Kedleston, made
his state entry today into the capital
OF the Moguls. This constituted the
official opening of the Durbar held to
celebrate the accession of King Edward
as emperor of India.
1t was a splendid pageant, probably
unparalleled in its 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 sill
yer ana the elephant itself was almost
hidden beneath a gold worked saddle
cloth. Surrounding them were foot men
In scarlet and gold 1iveries and bear
Ing massive silver slaves. The duke of
Connaught. who represented King Ed
ward and the duchess of C~onnaught
followed. Their elephant vas equally
gorgeOusly c~aparisOned. Then, in or
der of precedence, came the Mizam Of
Hyderabad, the M~aharajah of Travan-
core and other ruling chiefs, seventy in
~Ag III AIO0O L HILLS q llItG
4 quarter of a mile in length.
This glittering procession started
from the railroad station preceded by
dragoOn guards and artillery, the vice
roys escort and by heralds and trunu-
peters. The route was entirely lined
by British and native troops. From
the saluting battery, posted at the fort
commanding the Lahore gates, guns
Numbered q royal salute as the vice
roy passed with the heralds and trum-
peters sounding at intervals spirited
fanfareS.
The cortege passed in front of a. lire
of $50 elephants carrying the brilliant
Iy dressed retainers of the ruling chiefs.
The colossal beasts all saluted by trunl-
Deting and throwing their trunks in
the air, presenting Il truly imposing
sight, and afterWard fell in line behind
the official procession. Huge crowds of
o~n-lOOkerS witnessed the Spectacle,
which, it is asserted, has never been
surpassed in magnificcnce even in this
country OF oriental s~plendor. The her
aids, purSuiyantS and trumpeterS, VINO
followed the escort ard immediately
preceded the ViCeregal procession were
conspicuous by the splendid attire.
They were followed by the newly OIL
stituted imperial cadet corps cOmpris-
ing thirty maharajalIs.
The excitement was at q fever heat
as the nfSC elepIdlllS WIFI SOIu anu
silver ~howdahS. of the staff officers.
came in view and commenced to circle
around the mosque. The finest elephant
in Asia passed in front Of the great
Jumma Musjid, the steps of which were
thronged with distinguished person.
ages, including the VicerOyS, American
and British guests and the delegates
from the colonies AMI from other parts
of the empire. The enormous animals
shuiF1ed slowly by, many of the massive
howdahS of quaint and rich design
being surrounded by magnificent canO-
pies of gold embroidered and ~bejeweiled
tapestry. The bodies of the animals
were almost hidden by their ~trappingS
of CTimsOn golden bracelets were or
Their ankles, gold and silver bells were
hanging from their neck chains an |
their heads were painted and decorated
in every conceivable color. The Ma
bouts were clad in the brightest attire,
as were the attendant Spearnlen who
marched by the elephants sides In
the rear of the procession rode General
Lord Kitchener, the communicating
chief I'm India, surrounded by u bril-
liant staff and followed by the h"aC
of the provinces, with escorts OF Indian
cavalry. and tribal leaders from be-
yond the border line
Down the main street. moved the
corteSe. through lines of saluting sol
oierS and excited, SurginS, SaiaamlnS
thrung OF natives, through the ancient
city. with the balconies and house tops
teeminS with life and through tbs
Moree gate into the open park beyond
There. after Il four mile march. the
elephants of the Eiceroy and the duke
of C~oanaught halted side by side. arI
the pageant was concluded with tht
great princess filing by, their elephant;
trumpeting a salute
The viceroy was in state uniform
Lady CurZon was dressed in gray. tn
duke of COnnaught had on a field mar
shars uniform, and the duchess of Con
nauShy was attired in blue. They re
ceivad i flattering welcome at al
points.
The viceroy and duke Of Connaugh
subsequently, drove to the main camp
The roads, after the passage Of tn
procession presented a scene OF chaos
as the camel carriages, mule cars
landaus, bicycles and bullock cart
pressed onward in strange confusion
Thehe were many breakdOwns an,
many hours elapsed before the peopl
L.-