218 RIFLE AXD SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



I am told the architectural style of the Futtehpur palaces 

 is very similar. 



We had the advantage of being taken over the fort 

 by a most intelligent warrant officer, to whom General 

 Blood says it is almost a labour of love. It was epiite 

 delightful to escape the ordinary showman, and go round 

 with one who took such a keen interest in the place, and 

 was so well informed of its history. The usual native 

 guide was not to be shaken oft* at first, and trotted behind, 

 muttering his little set descriptions: "red marble," "black 

 marble," " green stone," as he pointed them out, were 

 evidently to his mind the principal objects of interest. 



I cannot help mentioning one dear little room, opening 

 off Shah Jehan's Hall of Audience. It is all painted with 

 bright flowers, the floors and pillars white marble, the 

 marble screens to its windows pierced and fretted like 

 delicately-carved ivory. These open on the red walls of 

 the citadel, above which the Taj gleams like frosted snow 

 in the distance. The ceilings of the halls and principal 

 rooms were originally richly coloured and gilt, but I sup- 

 pose the expense of keeping them in decorative repair 

 would be too great. Except a corner which was revived 

 to give the Prince of Wales an idea of its past glories, the 

 colours are everywhere faded or obliterated. 



A yearly but insufficient sum is allowed for the main- 

 tenance of the monuments Jiistoriques of the Agra district. 



