THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN NEPAUL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 669, 3 May 1870, Page 4

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN NEPAUL.

The Duke of Edinburgh reached his camp on the banks of the Mohau River, which separates Oudh from Nepaul, at 8.30 on the morning of the 23rd February. About two hours afterwards Sir Jung Bahadoor, who was encamped on the opposite bank, paid His Royal Highness a complimentary visit. Sir Jung Bahadoor was attended by Colonel R. Lawrence, the Resident at Katmandoo, and was met on this side of the river by Colonel Thompson, who conducted his Highness to the shamiana under which the Duke and party awaited him. The Duke rose and received the Maharajah at the edge of the carpet, and after the presentation by Sir Jung Bahadoor of some of his principal officers, the party took their seats. Sir Jung Bahadoor then conveyed to the Prince his sentiments of lespect, and expressed his anxiety to do all in his power to show attention to his Royal Highness, as an earnest of his profound veneration of her Majesty, and his grateful remembrance of the many kindness rendered to him in past years on his visit to England. He begged the Prince to believe that this was his object in coming to meet him, and that he might be relied on to spare no pains to secure such sport for his Royal Highness as the place and season admitted of. His Royal Highness briefly but courteously expressed his acknowledgments, and the Maharajah then left to relieve himself of the burden of his splendor (for he was in full state costume, with a most magnificent head-dress, valued at a lakh and a half of rupees) in order not to delay the shooting party. The battue which followed is described as absolutely unique. There were upwards of 350 elephants on the field, a tiger was soon on foot, and by the masterly arrangements was gradually so hemmed in by elephants that at last these formed a complete circle of not more than sixty yards diameter, with only the Prince, Sir Jung Bahadoor, and the tiger in the central space. When the latter realised his situation, he ran roaring round the circle trying to find an exit, and at last made a rush at what seemed probably the weakest point in ihe circle. This, however, was just in front of the Duke's elephant, and a well-directed shot from his Royal Highness rolled him over, though it took two or three more balls to finish him. It was an understood thing that no one but the Duke was to fire ; and to give an idea of Sir Jung's consummate courtesy, it may be noticed that he had dismounted from his own elephant and climbed into the State howdah, which by his orders had been prepared for the Duke, where he sat behind his royal visitor, not firing himself, but handing gun after gun to the Duke as he required them. The dinner that night in camp is said to have been, considering where it was, a sight of itself worth a journey. The large and handsome tent was brilliantly lighted, and the table, in the heart of that "forest primeval," furnished with everything that could be expected even in a luxurious capital. But the treat was at dessert. Then, about nine p.m., the tent door opened, and iv long defile entered a string of

Ghoorkas, bringing trays of presents — beautiful knives, elephants' teeth, tigerskins, China silks, nmskpods, the current coins of Nepaul — and a small elephant (who objected very much to thef estivities), and last and least (though not least interesting) a baby-tiger, only ten days or a fortnight old, which made itself quite at home on the table with the dessert, and allowed itself to be caressed and made a pet of at once. On the whole, the Maharajah Sir Jung Bahadoor has been most judicious as well as earnest in his courtesies, and the Duke has, beyond a doubt, enjoyed himself most thoroughly.