His palace contained about seven courts with fountains, and was
perfectly magnificent; but unfortunately, instead of being furnished with
oriental luxury, which is so grand and rich, it was full of European
things--glass, porcelain, and bad pictures. One room, however, was
quite unique: the ceiling and walls were thickly studded with china--
cups, saucers, plates, and so forth--which would have aroused the envy
of any china-maniac in London. Sir Salar entertained us to a most
luxurious breakfast, and when that was over showed us a splendid
collection of weapons, consisting of swords, sheaths, and daggers,
studded with gorgeous jewels. After that we inspected the stables,
which reminded me somewhat of the Burlington Arcade, for they were
open at both ends, and the loose boxes, where the shops would be,
opened into a passage running down the centre. There were about a
hundred thorough-bred Arab and Persian horses. When we left Sir
Salar, he presented me with four bottles of attar of roses.
The next few days formed a round of festivity. There were breakfasts,
dinner-parties at the Residency and elsewhere, with a little music to
follow, and many excursions. Sir Salar Jung lent me a beautiful grey
Arab, large, powerful and showy. He had never before had a side-saddle
on, but he did not seem to mind it a bit. Among other places we visited
the palace of the Wikar Shums Ool Umara, one of the three great
dignitaries of the Nizam's country, where we were received with great
honour by a guard of soldiers and a band of music.
Pages:
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224