Page:Lord Amherst and the British Advance Eastwards to Burma.djvu/61

 proceeded to Ameer Baugh, a palace of the Nabob of the Carnatic which he had lent to us. ... A day was fixed for Lord Amherst to receive the Nabob with much state and ceremony. The potentate arrived with his body-guard, in a splendid low carriage, almost all glass, drawn by four white horses, and accompanied by a brother and an uncle.'

Lord Amherst embraces them all and exchanges courteous civilities by means of an interpreter. The Nawáb was blessed 'with a pleasing countenance and manner,' says Lady Amherst. Lord Amherst having wreathed them with flowers, embraced them again, and took leave, returning the visit next day. Lady Amherst accompanies him, visits the Begums—one of them has been married three years, and is sixteen years old, she has rings on her fingers and rings on her toes, and only goes out in a shut-up box, with a peep-hole to see the country. Lady Amherst is wreathed with flowers and anointed with attar of roses, and before leaving she is treated to a Nautch dance. Festivities of every sort and colour ensue, black and white, with reviews and dinners.

On August 1 the Governor-General and his Lady land at Calcutta; the troops are drawn up, the forts are firing, the river is crowded with vessels, and the shore with spectators. The members of Council receive them at the bottom of the flight of steps at Government House, and conduct Lord Amherst in great state to the Council Chamber where he takes the oath, and a public breakfast in the great marble hall ensued. Lady Amherst holds her first drawing-