INDIA OFFICE RECEPTION.

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 17

INDIA OFFICE RECEPTION.

A SPLENDID SPECTACLE

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 14. “Where the gorgeous East., ‘with richest her kings barbaric pearl and gold.” This quotation rises involuntarily to the lips when one is asked to describe the durbar held by the Prince of Wales at the India Office on the Friday night of last week. The scene was one 8f sumptuous, scintillating. sensuous splendour. The reception of tli e great Indian princes and soldiers took place ' in the great courtyard or glass-roofed hall of °the India' Office. From the square ouadrangle the two first floors rise on arches of polished red marble, while under the coping of the third, topped with a broad balustrade, are a series of busts sculptured with- stone. Across the glass roof had been drawn a deep blue velarium studded with - gold stars, which by the aid of limelight above them twinkled and sparkled like natural constellations. The stone floor and the magnificent staircase were carpeted with thick crimson cloths. Pillars, galleries, balustrades were twined in and smothered with lilies, geraniums, ,orchids, hydrangeas, and splendid banks ’and beds'of flowers, with whose perfume the air was heavy, and behind which electric lights glowed softly. Crystal chandeliers lit up all the surrounding rooms. The balustrade of the great staircase was covered in'rose-buds. Great blocks of ice, clothed in flowers and surrounded by bowers of green, with fountains dropping sparkling streams over them, cooled the air. Opposite the foot of the staircase was a dais, approached by six steps, aud canopied by crimson velvet hung with heavy gold tassels, emblazoned on -its front with an Imperial crown. From the staircase to the dais was a lane of Indian lancers, six-footed swarthy statues in scarlet, orange and gold, each with his pennoned lance in hand. It was as if some magnificent performance were being given on the floor of an opera house, the spectators looking down from the lofty galleries. By eleven o’clock, galleries, colonnades, and the hall itself were filled with a glittering throng of 3000 English and Indian notabilities. The lightflashed oil the diamond tiaras of beautiful women, on softest silks and slieeniest satins, on scarlet uniforms and blue sashes of the v star of India, on brigiit.-liued banks of flowers. From the right of the dais glowed and gleamed up to the galleries a gorgeous flame of colour, for there were grouped the Indian Rajahs and Maharajahs in tunics aud turbans of amber, ruby, turquoise, emerald, rose, orange, every -hue and tint, with gold-embroidered or brocaded doublets and snow-white petticoats, with strings of pearls, sprays aud stars of diamonds, aud jewelled turbans and swordhilts. Two specially striking figures were the Maharajah of Gwalior and lias Makonnen. The former wore a turban encrusted with jewels. His wrist was covered with a bracelet of diamonds, and on his back hung a shield blazing with jewels. The Abyssinian Envoy’s costume was most striking.. It included the curious-looking, crownshaped headdress formed from a lion’s mane, which is only displayed upon very state occasions. Under his flowing robe he showed a superb breastplate of velvet, interworked with gold, and behind Inm an interpreter carried his gold shield and his immense sword, too sweeping and scimitar-like to be ’worn in a crowded room. At 11.30 the Royal Artillery band stnick up the National Anthem as the lrmce in admiral’s uniform, and the Frincess iu pale-blue satin trimmed with silver entered the Royal box. After gazing down foy some time upon the animated and splendid scene and talking for a few moments to the Maharaiu of Kooch Beliar, whose raven air and-eyes had as a foil the creamy beauty of the English ladies round her, tne I mice accompanied by the Duke of Connaught and Lord Roberts, and attended by a brilliant throng, descended the staircase to a stately measur® from ‘Tannhauser,” moved slowly down the lane of lances, and took his station on the dais. Four white-robed figures stood motionless at the comers swifS , Cauopy ' Thc lane of lancers suiitly became a scarlet crescent round the throne. Then the brilliant band of lndmn princes and chiefs, grey-beard and S “° ath -f ccd 1 youth, fierce soldier and cultured philanthropist, grouped s mulS TeS VOU I d ■ tlle Prince > a nd did simuitaneous obeisance, and homage, fashion 1 +k 8 9° urt, ly and picturesque questinL th f Creby avoiding all awkward ffiedw f Precedence. Thereafter decers nIT - the Prmc ? native offiand rnni m suasion, as liis name swnrd vviA Proclaimed, presenting his o 7 m . future King in token turninl ti. th ° Prmc e touching and rein weapon to its owner. Bowoorte2o nn an l leffc, i l, ° p ri nc o and liis The dnJ, U P fifi® staircase again, removed a + n °J er ' were 3 Ind\ th V r 0 Y d . sur S e d across the out ints s f ai . rs > the band broke, besiesed TOar j; la l nvusio, tlie buffets were ingme{foi and die great gatherand tho long lines of ges all down Whitehall began a

vehicular Sir Roger de Coverley that lasted well on into the morning.