CHAPTER X. New Government House in Calcutta. Magnificent Fête at its Opening in Honour of the Peace.-Description of the Scene, the Fire-works, Illuminations, Ball-room, Supper, &c.-Splendid Decorations.-Exhibition of Trophies. - Public Honours to our Naval and Military Heroes. — Viscount Valentia's Description of the Ball. — Eight Hundred Persons present.- The Governor-General's Country Residence at Barrackpore.-Lord Wellesley's Style of Living in the East.Letter from Lady Russell, requesting his Lordship's Presence at a Pic-Nic. - Gaieties of Calcutta and its Neighbourhood. - Pic-Nic Societies. Description of a Festivity, at which Lord Wellesley was present. In the early part of the year 1803, the new Government House, erected by the Marquess Wellesley on the esplanade between Fort William and the city, was completed; and was justly regarded as a magnificent monument of the noble Lord's taste, and as an ornament to Calcutta ;—it is still accounted the finest building in the capital of Bengal. It consists of a centre with four wings, one at each corner, connected together by circular passages. The centre building contains two very fine rooms. The lower of these, the hall, is paved with marble, and supported by Doric columns; over this is the ball-room, supported by Ionic pillars. The private apartments, the council-room, and other offices, are contained in the wings. On a line with this building is a range of handsome dwelling-houses with spacious verandahs. Lord Wellesley resolved to celebrate its VOL. II. T opening with a superb fête, as a public mark of rejoicing at the cessation of hostilities, consequent on the peace of Amiens; of which the following is an account, by one who was present on that interesting occasion: On the evening of the 26th of January, 1803, a most splendid entertainment was given to about eight hundred ladies and gentlemen, at the new Government House, in honour of the general peace. The Nawab Delawur Jung, Yara Dowlaw, the vakeel of his Highness the Soubahdar of the Deccan, Khan Jehan Khan, late Foujedar of Hoogly, and several of the principal native inhabitants of Calcutta, and the vakeels from the foreign native courts, were present on this occasion. At an early hour of the evening the ramparts of Fort William, the shipping in the river, and all the principal buildings fronting the esplanade were brilliantly illuminated. An extensive illumination, interspersed with a variety of beautiful transparencies, was at the same time exhibited in the environs of the new Government House. The company began to assemble about nine o'clock, and a little before ten his Excellency, the GovernorGeneral, arrived at the new Government House from the fort, where he had dined with Major Calcraft, the town Major. A detachment of the body guard of fifty men, and a column 'from his Majesty's 78th regiment, and a detachment of native infantry, formed a street from the north-west entrance to the north portico of the Government House, and received his Excellency with the usual military honours. After holding a durbar in the northern verandah for the vakeels and natives, and receiving the accustomed compliments of ceremony from them, his Excellency, attended by the stewards and his suite, entered the ball-room and took his seat in a chair of state at the upper end of the room. The chair was placed on an octagonal carpet of rich workmanship, which had been the state carpet of Tippoo Sultaun, and had formed one of the ornaments of that Prince's throne. Chairs were likewise prepared to the right and left of his Excellency for the Chief Justice, the Judges of the Supreme Court, and the members of the Council, The Governor of the Danish settlement of Serampore was present, and sat near the Governor-General. Soon after his Excellency had taken his seat the dancing commenced, and continued till twelve o'clock. There were two sets of about forty couples each. At twelve o'clock the suite of apartments on the marble floor were thrown open for supper, and the whole of this numerous company was accommodated at five ranges of tables in the principal apartments, and another range in the north-east wing. The tables were covered with a profusion of every delicacy, and were ornamented in a style of superior taste and magnificence. The Governor-General's band played a variety of martial airs during the time of supper. About one o'clock a signal being made by the discharge of rockets, the company dispersed themselves through the several porticos, corridors, and apartments fronting the esplanade of this spacious mansion, and were entertained till half-past two o'clock with a rapid succession of the most brilliant fireworks. At half-past two a salvo from the fort terminated the fireworks, and served as a signal for returning to the ball-room, when dancing was renewed and continued until near four o'clock, at which hour his Excellency retired. The arrangement of the ball was under the directions of Captains Daniell, Bristow, Carnac, White, and Major Bradshaw, who were appointed by his Excellency to act as stewards on this occasion. The illuminations within the fort were under the superintendence of Captain Blunt, and those in the environs of the Government House were directed by Major Calcraft, town-major of Fort William. The fireworks were also under the control of Captain Blunt, and were executed by artificers sent to Calcutta for the purpose from Lucknow and Moorshedabad." * The following details will convey a just idea of the most striking parts of this splendid ceremony. DECORATIONS OF THE SUPPER TABLE. The most remarkable objects were a galley bringing the intelligence of peace; a frigate decorated with colours; some curious Egyptian obelisks, covered with hieroglyphics; and a temple emblematical of peace, and of the gallant exploits of our naval and military commanders during the late war. The temple consisted of eight Corinthian pillars, supporting four pediments, the * An additional proof of the friendly feeling entertained at this period by the Nabob Vizier of Oude toward Lord Wellesley. There are several letters in the MSS. from Lucknow respecting these pyrotechnical artists sent by the Vizier to aid at this fête. whole crowned by a light dome. The pediments were ornamented with paintings, of- 1. The action off Cape St. Vincent, 14th of February, 1798. 2. The battle of the Nile, 1st of August, 1798. 3. The storming of Seringapatam, 4th of May, 1799. 4. The landing of the British army under Sir Ralph Abercrombie in Egypt, 8th of March, 1801. The friezes of the temple were also decorated with the following appropriate mottos : 66 NELSON, August 1, 1798. Atque hic undantem bello, magnumque fluentem, "Addam urbes Asia domitas, pulsumq. Nephaten, Et duo rapta manu diverse in hoste trophæa, *This circumstance affords another proof that Lord Wellesley never withheld his public approbation of the gallant conduct of General Baird at Seringapatam, as has been asserted in Hook's Life of Baird.- Vide vol. i. chap. xv. |