HOW IT STRUCK AN INDIAN LADY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3312, 2 August 1879, Page 4

HOW IT STRUCK AN INDIAN LADY.

A Madras lady recently visited England and upon returning to India published a book, entitled "A Hindoo Lady's Experiences in England." This work is just now creating a good deal of amusement amongst Anglo-Indians, nearly every Anglo-Indian paper having a quiet laugh at some of its quaint peculiarities. The lady, whose name is Pothum Janakummah Hagaviab, is a pure Telugu, and first published her work in that language for the edification of her countrymen. "London," she says, "is peopled to a great extent with men of an aristocratic order. Policemen always give one rap at a door ; it is their sign." "Then," exclaims the authoress, " how pleasing it was to hear the sweet airs played by either a German band, or organ grinders, or a Highland band, with sword dance, close to our house, and what pleasure the Punch and Judy show performance afforded us!— '■ alluding to the late Ashantee war. Such are the recreations in the public streets." But the following is the most deliriously quaint piece of writing in the book ; and the late Lord Mayor will be charmed to learn'that his umbrella is now immortalised in India :—" The Lord Mayor, Sir Sidney Waterlow, and his amiable lady we 'visited on several occasions, at the Mansion House, and their united hospitality was very exemplary, and the lady toqk a real interest to explain this and that in the different halls of the Mansion House. To show the unostentatious character he bears, it is worth citing that be is not too proud at all to walk in the crowded streets of the city with an umbrella in his hand, for the position and wealth he commands; and it is wrong, then, to believe th&t Lutchmi will not live with such a man P Many more are unassuming like the gentleman who is the Head of the City." Mrs Ragaviah writes in a pleasing, unaffected manner, and never blunders so hugely as an undergraduate of the Madras University who began an English essay with the remark: —" The Queen of England resides in the Tower of London. When she walks in the street every one falls down fiat on their faces before her."—Echo.