Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-14

George V and queen MARY were NV
claimed. Aside from the spicndor of the
durbar held to celebrate the momentous
event the fea turc of the day was the
announcement that Delhi was to replace
Calcutta as the capital of India.
a State banquet and reception in the
investiture tent concluded the days cele-
brations, more than four thousand nota-
bilitics being the guests of Their Md
jesties. These included Lord liaidinse' .
the viccrov of India and Lady llardinge' /
the Governor and ex-GoVernors. the ma
tive rulers, princes. Indian officials ana
others in uniforms and picturesque dress
The Emperor and Empress both eX-
pressed their keen delight at the sue
cess OF the durbar and the cordially oil
their reception. All the chief towns ia
India tonight arc celebrating the occa-
sion with Nominations, fireworks ana
fetes.
INDIAN CHIEFS IN SECRET.
,'he universal theme is the dramatic
announcement of the change in the
capital. Although the secret was kept,
it was made with the full knowledge
of the Indian chiefs, and is welcomed
alike on historical, political and ad-
ministrative grounds. The native
at the revival of the ancient glories of
Delhi. 1t is feared, however that it
will be resented in Calcutta and by the
Mohammedans in eastern Bengal. The
cost of the transfer, it is estimated
win be S25,000,000.
The government has acquired the
durbar territory on easy terms, and
it is proposed to utilize it as the site
or three years to build.
The eliminating act of the English
monarch's accession to the throne Of
his vast Indian dominions took place
amid a scene which, for richness Of
color and magnificance of decorations,
has probably never been surpassed in
modern times.
Tho browning was followed by an
act of generosity on the King Empcr
or's part, of which slight hint had
already been given. The victory sro-
claimed that the King Emperor was
10 donate a large sum Of money to
promote popular education and tnat
further handsome gifts would be
made.
The huge amphitheatre which had
been erected in the Durbar camp was
thronged with people from an carly
hour The bright tissues and spark
ling gems of the many Indian princes
and the smart uniforms of the sol
dery contrasted strangely with the
white dresses of the European ladies
and the soberer garb of civilian Of
fcals.
LADIES BEHIND LATTICE.
The great feudatory princes and rul
ers of India with the leading British
officials occupied seats of honor near
the pavilion located in the center.
Screened from the gaze of the curious
by a lattice frame work a number of
Maharanis. and other Indian ladies of
high rank occupied two sections of the
front galleries.
The interval of waiting was be-
guiled by the playing of military
music. The soldiers played large
part in the durbar and guard of hon
or composed Of 100 picked men was
drawn up before the central pavilion
Troops of every army surrounded the
arena in a compact mass ana lines of
soldiers extended along the route of
tie royal approach.
Cheers mingled with sohs heraldod
the arrival Of a little band Of veter-
ans, the survivors Of the armies which
had made the present durbar possible
The old fighters in their weather
beaten uniforms strove to keep up a
show of military formation as they
marched to the privileged place al
lotted them but generally it was i'm
possible ana many of them limped to
ther seats.
Almost Immediately the regal process
sion came into view. Escorted by brill
1iantly uniformed native bodyguard the
viceroy and Lady Iardinge sat in tAell
state carriage drawn by hlooded horses
with outrders uniformed in scarlet and
gold Then the booming OF an imperial
salute announced the approach of the
Emperor and Empress The royal car
riage drawn By four MAGNIFICENT horses
was almost hidden from view by the
gally caparisoned escort The Emperor
wore a robe of imperial purple, a sur,oat
of purple with white satin brooches and
silk stockings He was decked with the
colors Of orders of the Garter and the
Star of India and also with the star of the
latter order. The imperial crown con-
sisted of a band Of diamonds studied with
large emeraIds and sapphires with ruhie,
in the center and a cap of purple velvet
turned up with ormine.
DRESS OF THE EMPRESS.
The Queen Empress's dress was Of
white satin embroidered with desgl
of roses, thistlcS and shamrocks with
border of lotus flowers The Star of In
dia embroidered the front of her dress
Her Majestys imperial robe was of pur
pie velvet trimmed with crmine and witt
a border Of gold braid. She wore tn
Orders of the Garter and the Star Of In
dia. Her ornaments were diamond an
emerald necklace and brooches.
Carriage after carriage with member
Of suite followed the imperial pair Tn
guard presented arms and the band
burst into the royal anthem.
The combined professions proceode
slowly to the great central tent wheI
Their Maiesties stood to receive tn
homage and concentrations Of II
Governors, ruling princes and other rel
resentatives of British India.
When this gorgeously uniformed lir
had filed past the imperial and vice reg
parties appeared before the vast a
scmblage in the durbar amphitheatr
When they took their seats on the crimsC
dais a strain of the national anthe
was heard and the people rose as on
person and stood in profound silence.
It was pretty group around the fo
thrones of the Emperor, The Empires
the viceroy and the vcereine at t