THE DURBAR BANQUET.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11511, 18 February 1903, Page 9

THE DURBAR BANQUET.

VICEROYIS* STRIKING SPEECH. DELHI, January 2. At the /State banquet last night the Viceroy entertained the Duke of Connaught and a large company of distinguished guests. The Viceroy, in proposing the toast "The King-Emperor," said: "I hope it may have impressed our various illustrious visitors and guests with the conviction that this Indian possession of his Majesty is no mere deadweight tied on to the heels of the British Empire, but a dominion, a continent empire by itself, rich in its own personality and self-confident in its own strength, aglow with abundant potentialities for toe future. ! "To be King of the United Kingdom and the British Possessions beyond the Seas is a great and noble title, but to be Emperor of India is in no respects less and! in some respeote greater. For powerful empires existed and flourished here while Englishmen were still wandering pointed in the woods and the British were a wilderness and a jungle. India has left -a deeper mark upon the history, philosophy, and religion of mankind than any other territorial unit in the universe.

"I venture to say that but one regret filled all minds here to-day. It is that his Majesty the King-Emperor was not o-/.e to bo present here in person to receive the homage of his loyal feudatories and the acclamations of the Indian people. Some day we may hope that as time and distance continue to dwindle .under the magic finger of science it may be found possible for the Vioeroy on some future occasion like the present to be eliminated as a superfluous phantom anu for the real figure to appear upon the scene." All the camp is talking of the splendid success of the great durbar. Before leaving the arena the ruling chiefs delivered messages breathing the utmost devotion to the British Crown. The Nizam of Hyderabad said: a& has afforded me very great pleasure to be present hexe on this auspicious and memorable occasion. lam sure your Excellency is aware that it has been' my lifelong endeavour to maintain and strengthen the traditions of my House ag the faithful ally of the British 'Throne."