CHAPTER XV

Summary

November 1st.—The authorities of Allahabad have been busy for the last few days in erecting a platform near the Fort, from which the Governor-General read the Proclamation this day. The ceremony was cold and spiritless, and I am told that the people were actually prevented or dissuaded from coming to listen to the royal promises of pardon, forgiveness, justice, respect to religious belief, and non-annexation. The natives who were present consisted, for the most part, of officials in the various public offices. A few ladies were on the platform, which was admirably well-filled by officers in uniform, civilians, and one or two natives. I was greatly amused, on such an occasion, to hear a sergeant who was on duty at the foot of the staircase, call to one of the men and say to him, “I'm going away for a moment; do you stay here and take care that no nigger goes up.” A kind of dais was erected for Lord Canning, who rode to the spot accompanied by Lord Clyde, and General Mansfield, and others, attended by an escort and a body-guard through a double line of infantry and military police. Lady Canning, in an open carriage, also graced the meeting by her presence. In the evening there was a banquet at the Port, which passed off as tamely as the ceremonial of reading the Proclamation. Then came a great display of fireworks upon the meidan outside the citadel.