THE PRINCE OF WALES IN THE EAST.

Evening Star, Issue 4033, 29 January 1876, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE PRINCE OF WALES IN THE EAST.

The Prince has arrived at Colombo. He was received at the jetty by the Governor and a brilliant stall of officials arid native mudelyars in full dress, -a • band, and guard of ( honour. After a few introductions and hearty cheering, he moved to the splendidly decorated reception pandal, where the addresses were read. The Prince wore a fieldmarshall’s uniform, with stars and orders, and looked extremely well. After the addresses, he walked with the Governor past the Mite of the public, who were iu reserved seats, and amid cheers drove off. There were present the Duke of Sutherland, Sir Bartle Prere, Lords Carington, Aylesford, Suffield, Charles Beresford, two admirals, Drs. Russell and Fayrer, Mr Sydney Hall (of the‘Graphic,’) Lord Alfred Paget, General Brobyn, Colonels Eilis and Williams, besides a 1 host of aide-de-camps. The Prince and suite drove through the town to'the sea-side esplanade, visited the Queen’s house, and then returned to the Serapis, where the Governor dined with the Prince. Special correspondents declare that the decorations —floral and otherwise—throughout Colombo had a prettier effect than any in India. There were some 30 triumphal arches altogether, and the streets were festooned and decorated with banners. At every turn the streets were crowded with enthusiastic people. The Prince and staff were highly delighted with their reception. On the 2nd the Prince landed early, and drove slowly in procession to the railway station, with the Governor and staff, and took a special train to Kandy, a special Royal carriage having been built at Colombo, costing LI,OOO. Colombo arid the, stations en route were finely set off with flags and decorations. All were enchanted with the scenery, and at the great incline, rising 1,700 ft, the Prince and the Duke of Sutherland got on to the engine sketching. Kandy was reached at 4 p.m., and an address was presented to the Prince. He went to his carriage through two rows of Kandyan chiefs, while the mountain sides were crowded with thousands of natives, as well the streets. The whole town was decorated. That night there was a display of fifty elephants belonging to the temples and chiefs at the pavilion ; also of devil-dances. Next day there was a drive to the Peradenia Botanical-gardens, and bat-shooting in the forenoon; and in the evening a grand illumination of the square. At the Kandyan King’s palace ami temple-grounds, the reception of Kandyan chiefs took place iu bands, according to the districts. They were dressed most bravely, and each baud was headed by a civil British officer. They were received by the Prince and a brilliant staff on the dais of the ancient audience chamber of the Kandyan kings. The principal chief, • Dewa Niuemme, was presented with a gold medal. The chiefs presented the Prince with curious and valuable gifts in silver. Afterwards came the investiture of Governor Gregory as K.C.M.G. In due form the warrant was read by the Colonial | Secretary, and the proposed knight was in- ■ traduced with a procession, and duly in- , vested by the Pnnco, who addressed him suitably. Mr Gregory replied warmly, expressing his acknowledgment to his Queen and tjje Prince, and then knelt, and the Prince, tpuchjug him lightly on the right and left shoulders, said, Rise Sir William Gregory, K.C.M.G,” .Afterwards Messrs Birch and Douglas, the Colonial Secretary ftud Auditor-General, wore ittvestod with

the C.M.G. The Prince next visited Maligawa, the most sacred Buddhist temple in the world. Three hundred priests were congregated, and the sacred tooth (a piece of bone by IMn.) and all the treasures in jewellery, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies \yere exposed to the view of the Prince and his staff. The Prince then adjourned to the Octagon Tower, and saw a procession of elephants and the illuminations. He received a deputation of Eriests, who presented him with a finelyound copy of their sacred books. The Prince gave ten books in return with his autograph. The Kandyan chiefs and priests were delighted with the Prince’s mingled dignity and affability. Next morning the Duke of Sutherland and part of the staff left for Newrra Elyya deer hunting, while the Prince followed later via Garapola, Nawala, Pilyua, Yellow Adam’s Peak, to Ruanwila, for elephant kraaling and shooting. The Prince killed two elephants under circumstances of some danger, showing pluck, and that he was a capital shot. Returning from the kraal with Lord Charles Beresford on the box, the carriage was upset and smashed, with the Prince under ; but fortunately he escaped quite unhurt, exclaiming, “ Charlie, where’s my tail ” (of one of the elephant’s he had killed). The Prince arrived at Madras on December 13, and was brilliantly received by the Governor and other high officials. The most striking scene however, was the gathering of 14,000 children, who sang “God bless the Prince of Wales,” as he passed to Government-house. The beautiful dresses of the girls, the various colors and ornaments incidental to different castes, presented a most charming picture. On the 15th, he laid a memorial stone of the new breakwater, which is to cost 60 lacs, and will take upwards of five years before completion. The illuminations at night were most successful and effective. The surf along the Beachroad was illuminated, producing a beautiful effect. Towards midnight the Prince attended a magnificent public entertainment at Royapooram terminus, which had been transformed for the occasion into a most gorgeously decorated hall. The entertainment, consisting of nautch dances, songs, and native dances, then followed, lasting till past three o’clock in the morning. The whole affair was the most successful of its kind yet witnessed.