THE MAHARAJA'S PALACE. 289 



flowers and green English-looking lawns. There are many 

 fine trees, and a dense tropical forest shelters two of the 

 sides. Unfortunately in a hot climate all this spells fever ; 

 and during the heat of the rainy season it is dangerous even 

 to drive through. 



The Maharaja's palace is on a perfect site, in a bend of 

 the river, with lovely views along the valley on both sides. 

 The town is fortified in old Indian fashion, and the palace, 

 as usual, within the citadel, is not built in the centre, but 

 on the river side of the town, with its walls jutting into 

 the water. The interior of the palace is very similar to 

 many others, but the coup d'ceil from many of the rooms is 

 entrancing, and unlike anything I have yet seen in 

 India. In the courtyard is a large tiger in a cage, and in 

 front of the Hall of Audience a little tank with a barge on 

 it almost as big as itself. 



Beyond the town the banks of the river for miles 

 are covered with thick jungle, in which tigers, panthers, 

 and deer are often found during the hot season. At this 

 time of the year, when water is plentiful over all the 

 country, wild animals are naturally more scattered ; but 

 a panther has been heard of, and we are going after him 

 this afternoon. 



The launch was waiting for us at the foot of the Resi- 

 dency gardens, and we steamed down the river past the 



town and palace. Their situation and appearance vaguely 



u 



