Year: 1872

BY mail from Asia we have our files OF the Straits
Observer, dated at Singapore on the 7th OF Septem
ber.


The journals supply the following report Of the
visit Of Ills Imperial Highness Grand Duke Alexis
OF Russia to the Maharajah Of Johore, and OF his
reception blythe Eastern potentate:-


RUSSIAN ROYALTY AMUSED IN JoHoRE


The intended tiger fight ut J0lfOre was favored
with very seas0nable weather.


The Pluto left this for J0hore early on the 10th
ult, with number of gentlemen from Singapore,
ana having taken on board some officers from the
Russian man -of-war proceeded to the scene of ac-
taen, arriving at Johore after hne passage at


The Manaraiah had made every preparation for
the reception of Prince Alexis, who arrived at
about eleven O'Clock.


For the projected tiger and bufalo contention
there had been created two ring fences OF stout
nib0ng trees, one within the other. At one end OF


the interval between them was the tiger and at the
other the buffalo, the latter behind drop scene OF
sail cloth and the former behind one OF plank. Over
the centre place was platform erected, manned
by natives who were appointed to raise the cur
tans IN front Of the two leading performers at the
appointed signal. The Prince having arrived, and
the audience all expectation, the two curtains were
drawn up or raised, and stripes and bun stood ois


The tiger seemed only wishful to Immediately
sneak away, but the buffalo charged her IA female
onel at once, knocking ner about Ut dreaaiay; aan Y;
the tiger, but 1t was of no avail At last, by means
of rope and pulley, the, tiger was raised by the
neck and let fall upon the back OF the buffalo and
after making last grasp at his neck fell of and
was Immediately butted ana pounded to death by
the enraged buffalo.


1t is reported that a bottle OF arrack was pre-
viously given to the buffalo and some opium to the
tigress In order to raise the mette of the one and
tone down the ferocty of the other. This appears
to have been totally unnecessary, as 1t evil
denty spoiled the matter in the very outset
1t would evidently be much be much better on q
future occasion to leave each animal 10 its own re-
sources, without the use OF stimulants on either
in such case The buffalo has the advantage OF the
tiger even in its native Jungle unless particular
circumstances favor the latter, and even then the
eventual chances are much in favor OF the former.


RETURN TO SINGAPORE AND ROYAL sALUTATI0NS.


Everything passed Off very pleasantly, and a re-
turn move took place for Singapore early In the
day The Maharajah's boat or barge, which con.
veyed the Prince and Governor across the Old
Straits from this island to Johore, was splendid,
and served to remind people Of the gala gondolas
which adorn some OF the Italian rivers on festive
occasions The whole turnout, the boat. the row.
teristic and interesting in the highest degree.


The breakfast provided for his guests by the
Maharajah was complete aud tasty in the highest
degree, and well displayed his munifclent hospi-
taiity and wish to worthily entertain and please
his European friends, who did iull justice to the
liberal and respectable ''spread" SO noby prepared
for them.


set apart compartment for tine reception OF his
guests, which well laid out, sumptuously fur
nished and tastelnlly adorned: In cordial recogni-
tlon Of the compliments paid him. he made very
neat and appropriate speech II all that the
Maharajah said and wished had been fully and
amply translated it might have enlightened those
who say that certain classes are inlmical to civil
lied modes OF action.


THE SPEECHES.


The following Is how the Maharaiah expressed
himself in proposing the health OF his princely
guest


YouR ExCELLENcY GESTIEMES-1 beg you will join
In drinking to the health of my guest His Imperial
Highncss the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia who has done
the honor OF visit to country II gives great
pleasure receive him in Johore. My country differs
very materially from those with which he Grand Duke
has been familiar and he will have noticed much which
must be novel and strange European prince; but
trust his visit here will not have proved unnerestng TO
him. His coming among us naturally reminds me OF
the recent visit of His Royal ighncss Prince Alfred the
son OF Her Majesty the Queen, whose flag flies over
the neighboring island of singapore, and whose
Both princes serving I'M the naves of their
Sovereigns and parents, and have already wished
honor and success 10 the Duke OF Edinburgh, So |
drink 10 the honor and success OF His Imperial High
the Grand Duke Alexis in the like noble profession
The royal navy of England has always been the torer
of civilization commerce and wealth in the countries
in the East May these navies, served by the
the Sovereigns whose flags they carry, emulate each
other in ireny rivalry and good Will in bringing these
blessings to the countries they visit.


Your EXcecncy and gentlemen, join in doing honor
to my toast Your Imperial Highness the Grand Duke
Alexis OF Russia drink to your health and happiness


The Prince replied that he had been highly graft
fed with his visit, ana the various things he had
seen and the attentions which had been shown
him.