90 PASSAGE TO MADRAS. 



Calcutta is famous for its fine gardens stretching 

 for miles down the Hooghly, and mostly belonging to 

 native princes ; the ex-king of Oude's are very 

 extensive, also containing a menagerie ; those of 

 Scindiah, Gwalior's ruler, were likewise very beautiful, 

 and there is some gossiping notoriety attached 

 to the latter relating to a little incident that happened 

 on the eve of the mutiny, when a garden fete, to 

 which Scindiah had invited the Governor- General and 

 all the principal Europeans, was opportunely, or, as 

 many people have it, providentially, put a stop to by a 

 violent thunderstorm. Over-sensitive people afterwards 

 talked much of an intended wholesale murder of the 

 English guests, and subsequent proclamation of 

 Scindiah as Emperor of India, whilst the latter's 

 loyalty to the British Government, like that of Holkar, 

 the Guikwar, and the Nizam, has become matter 

 of history. 



I have frequently travelled by the French Messagerie 

 boats, and cannot speak too highly of the capital 

 accommodation and excellent table they provide. The 

 " Meinam " was no exception, and her commandant, 

 a most pohshed " merle hlanc " (white blackbird), as 

 the French slang terms an out-and-out gentleman. 



