THE GREAT DURBAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 708, 2 January 1903, Page 3

THE GREAT DURBAR.

By Telegraph - Press Aasnr'oDnnCopyright. BOMBAY, D'.’ct.. Viscount, Curzon, attired uniform, and wearing the Star of India, and h’is consort, dressed in white heliotrope, rode, first on the same gigantic tusker that Lord Lytton used the Proclamation Durbar in 1877, 1 seated in a glittering howdah of solid silver, under a golden umbrella, shaped like a canopy. The elephant was covered with an embroidered saddlecloth, which was a blaze of gold. The Duke of Connaught was dressed in Field-Marshall’s uniform, and lode immediately behind on a similar mighty, elephant, gorgeously caparisoned. Fifty chief Princes, mounted on elephants, followed two abreast, the Nizam and Maharajah of Mysore leading All were marshalled with the strictest regard to precedence. The display of pomp, splendour,and wealth of the Indian Princes eclinsed even that of the Vice-regal parties, the jewelled robes and turbans ueing marvellous. There was an immense cavalcade, consisting of the Grand Duke of Hesse,- Lord Kitchener, the Governors of dependencies and provinces, the Khan of Khelat, Pathan and Assam chiefs, with brilliant bodyguards, followed by finally 150 superb elephants, bearing tforgeous retainers of the ruling Chiefs, troops of camels, and Bengal Lancers. On reaching the camp Lord Curzon and the Duke of Connaught halted sido hy side, while the great Princes filed past, saluting, and the elephants trumpeting. The procession dispersed then.

If. was pronounced to be the most majestic and brilliant spectacle ever seen in the East. The Durbar presents a pageant showing a wonderful combination of oriental exuberance, wealth and splendour, with western precision of organisation. Tho Viceroy and his guests, the colonial delegates, and noble; European visitors viewed the scene, from the steps of the Jumna Nuspid, ieonimanding a magnificent view of | Chandni Chank, the busiest thoroughfare of Delhi. Tho Irish Rifles, Gordon, Argyle, and Sutherland Highlanders lined the four miles of route to the camp. HJtkiormous crowds watched with reverent curiosity, salaaming humbly, when the Viceroy, Duke of Connaught and the high Princes passed. Following heralds and twelve trumpeters came the Viceroy's escort in scarlet and gold uniforms upon picked bay waiers. Next was Portab Single leading the Viceroy’s body-guard, consisting of thirty imperial cadets, prince, and scores of ruling races, mounted on black chargers and elephants. The procession was the most remarkable feature of tho day.