CHRISTMAS AT LUCKNOW. 53 



One morning, whilst at breakfast at the hotel — and 

 there is not a more comfortable one elsewhere in India 

 — I was disturbed by the noise of a funeral procession 

 of a young girl, who, shrouded in pink muslin, was 

 carried on a lofty bier covered with beautiful flowers, 

 and marshalled by a number of camels; the one in 

 front carrying a flag-bearer, the others sacks of cakes 

 and fruit, which the riders threw among the crowd. 

 Two elephants followed the bier, also some six or eight 

 horses, richly caparisoned, led by the bridle, and a 

 pretty brown Cashmere pony, the special favourite of 

 the deceased, a band of musicians, relatives throwing 

 money among the crowd of beggars, and a large conflux 

 of people di'essed in their best and gayest colours. 



The bangalows of Europeans are, as usual, sur- 

 rounded by gardens, and divided from the dusty road 

 by handsome balustrades of Oriental pattern, chunamed 

 and with grey copings ; these line the so-called 

 " Strand," an elegant promenade, which winds along the 

 canal, presenting in the afternoon a very lively appear- 

 ance, when crowded with ladies and gentlemen on 

 horseback and ni tine carriages, and accompanied by a 

 couple of outrunners in party-coloured turban and 

 jackets. 



Christmas happened to fall upon one of the days 

 during my stay at the Impeiial Hotel, where it was 



