the Delhi Durbar.

Manawatu Herald, 3 January 1903, Page 2

the Delhi Durbar.

The procession of the Viceregal and Royal party through the city of Delhi to the camp was a brilliant scene. The pageant was a wonderful combination of Oriental exuberance of wealth and splendour, with Western precision of organisation. '.Che Viceroy's guests, the colonial delegates, and noble European visitors witnessed the scene from the steps of the Jumma Musjid, commanding a magnificent view of the Chandni Chank, the busiest thoroughfare of Delhi.

The Irish Rifles, Gordon, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders lined the four-mile route to the camp.

Enormous crowds of natives watched the procession with reverent curiosity, salaaming humbly when the Viceroy (Lord Ourzon of Kedleston), the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, and the high princes passed. Following a herald and twelve trumpeters came the Viceroy’s escort, in scarlet and gold, on picked bay horses. Next, Portab Singh led the Viceroy’s body-guard of thirty Imperial cadets, consisting of princes and scions of ruling races, mounted on black chargers. The elephants’ reception was the most remarkable feature of the day. Lord Curzon, attired in Court uniform, and wearing the insignia of the Order of the Star of India—of Which, by virtue of his office, he is Grand Master ahd Principal Knight Grand, Commander—and his consort, dressed in white and heliotrope, rode first on the same gigantic tusker that Lord Lytton used at the Proclamation Durbar in 1877. They were seated in a glittering howdah of solid silver. Under a golden umbrella, shaped like a canopy. The elephant was covered with an embroidered saddle-cloth, a blaze of gold. The Duke of Connaught, dressed in Field Marshal’s uniform, rode immediately behind, on a similar mighty elephant, gorgeously caparsoned.

Fifty of the chief princes, mounted on elephants, followed two abreast, the Nizam, and the Maharajahs of Mysore leading. ill were marshalled with the strictest regard to precedence. Their display of pomp, splendour and wealth eclipsed that of the Viceregal party. All wore marvellous Jewelled robes and turbans.

An immense cavalcade, consisting -of-tfceTGrand Duke of. Hesse, Lord Kitchener in India), the Governors of dependent cies and provinces, the Khan of Khelat, many Pathan and Assam chiefs, with brilliant bodyguard, followed. Then came a hundred and fifty superb elephants bearing the gorgeously-attired retainers of the ruling chiefs, and a troop of camels and the Bengal Lancers brought up the rear.

On reaching the camp, Lord Ourzon and the Duke of Connaught halted side by side, while the great princes filed past, saluting. Then the procession dispersed. The display is pronounced to be the most majestic and brilliant spectacle ever seen in the East.

At the opening of the Durbar Arts Exhibition, Lord Curzon, Viceroy, lamented the decline of Indian art, which he appealed to the princes to foster.

The exhibition contains a priceless collection of ancient handicraft.

Princes and nobles throughout India have lent treasures for the display.