CALCUTTA. 
to his house, at which we arrived about two o'clock, and met with 
a most hospitable reception. 
Mr, Graham resides in Chouringee, in a very excellent house, 
where I found apartments prepared for me, and for Mr. Salt. After 
a dinner at home with several friends of Mr. Graham, we all pro- 
ceeded tP the Government-house. The state rooms were for the first 
time lighted up. At the upper end of the largest was placed a very 
rich Persian carpet, and in the centre of that, a musnud of crimson 
and gold, formerly composing part of the ornaments of Tippoo 
Sultan's throne. On this was a rich chair and stool of state, for Lord 
Wellesley ; on each side, three chairs for the members of council 
and judges. Down to the door on both sides of the room, were seats 
for the ladies, in which they were placed according to the strict 
rules of precedency, which is here regulated by the seniority of the 
husband in the Company's service. About ten. Lord Wellesley 
arrived, attended by a large body of aid-de-camps, kc. and after 
receiving, in the northern verandah, the compliments of some of the 
native princes, and the vakeels of the others, took his seat. The dan- 
cing then commenced, and continued till supper. The room was not 
sufficiently lighted up, yet still the effect was beautiful. The row of 
chunam* pillars, which supported each side, together with the rest 
of the room, were of a shining white, that gave a contrast to the differ- 
ent dresses of the company. Lord Wellesley wore the orders of St. 
Patrick and the Crescent in diamond. Many of the European ladies 
were also richly ornamented with jewels. The black dress of the 
male Armenians was pleasing from the variety ; and the costly, 
though unbecoming, habits of their females, together with the 
* Chunam is a beautiful kind of stucco^ nearly equal to scaglione. 
