Letter written by Anstice
Abbott to her sister Emily Jacob (nee Abbott) after attending the wedding of
Emily’s son Harold.

March 4th
1893

My dear
Emily,

You will be
looking out for a letter from me and I must make a beginning this morning. The
SS Karaghat arrived in Mandrie
harbour at five. The launch was soon alongside that was sent out for me, and a
young man also with a telegram from Col Hunter. A carriage was awaiting me at
the Bunder (?) and I was whisked off to the travellers bungalow where a substantial Chota
Hazari was soon ready for me. I felt like somebody as
every one was most polite and nothing to pay
anywhere.  The young man said everything
was done to Colonel Hunter’s orders. The 36 miles of driving with servants in
scarlet livery was done in little more than four hours and I drove into the
Residency to find to find Colonel and Mrs Hunter and Harold awaiting me on the
steps of the Residency. Lily Hunter and Mrs Burke soon appeared to add to the
cordial welcome. Harold and then Lily came into my room and we visited in
exchanging news until I was ready to prepare to make myself presentable. Harold
looks thin. He says he is very well and that it is only the hard riding in the
districts that has pulled down his flesh. He appears very well. As for Lily I
like her much. She has a sweet girlish face and her manners are pretty and
modest. The two are evidently very fond of each other but there is no false
prudishness or silly nonsense. There are a Mr and Mrs McClelland here from Jannapore. I do not know what he is nor
his title as yet. Then there is a Lieutenant Harrison. He is the Political
Agent and Chief Engineer etc...and the best man. The
padre a Rev Mr Bailie is expected every moment. The house is large with many
rooms and all seems to be comfortably cared for. Col and Mrs Hunter are at home
in the act of entertaining. In the evening of yesterday all went to drive out,
Col Hunter, M MClelland and I. My thirty six miles
were enough for one day. We sat under the trees and talked. After dinner there
was music and billiards.

This morning
at eight o’clock we all went to visit the palace at the Raja’s invitation. The
native town with its very high and massive walls has within a clean and
prosperous look. The houses are all of stone and tiles and everybody seemed
comfortably clothed, not a naked forlorn child did I see. The new Palace is
about fifteen years old. The Rajah and his brother welcomed us all the top of
the fine staircase and was most kind and polite in showing   us over the new and the old palace. The new
is decorated in French and Italian style – a great pity. It is bright and
beautiful but not in harmony with the Rajah and his people. Both the young men
spoke English well and their manners were gracious and courtly. They are fine
looking Rajputs. The old palace some of it 140 years
old was much more interesting, small and dark compared with the other, but the
carvings and ceilings were exquisite And what
surprised me very much, scarcely a reminder of idolatry I do not think I saw a
cut or a caring of a god or goddess. There were many pictures hanging up, a
large number were English portraits of the year 1750 -60, innumerable mirrors,
a picture of Christ and his disciples and another where he was healing the
sick, both painted in 1756. In one room there were cushions and divans, the air
heavy with incense and candle smoke, all sorts of odd things about and a very sweetened music box playing languid airs. It was just
such a voluptuous room as made one think of Mrs Isaacs. Since our return we
have had breakfast. This evening we are invited to the Rajahs to see fireworks
and then to dinner. My invitation is a bright green card with gilt lettering.

5th    Yesterday afternoon we drove over to the
church and looked to its arrangements and rehearsed the hymns.  At seven o’clock we were dressed for dinner
and drove to the Hamirsir Tank. The whole lake the mandup the museum and part of the city walls were
illuminated and a most lovely sight and pyramids of lamps were swilling about
in the lake. The Rajah and his brother received us in the mandup
and later all the European party had arrived, the fireworks were let off. Rockets set pieces showers of fire and many such successful things.
Then we drove through long lines and crowds of people to the palace. The palace
is lit by electricity and was a blaze of light from the courtyard every room we
entered. Col and Mrs Hunter were the host and hostess of the dinner, there were  sixteen at the
table. The officers are very few in camp now. The flowers fruit and bonbons and
light and the gay dresses of the ladies made a very brilliant scene, the dinner
was  a very good
one and the Rajah, his brother and the Prince came in at dessert. There was a
band playing all the time. I suppose I am indebted to being Harold’s only
relative to enjoy all the privileges of first lady. I sat between Col Hunter
and Mr McClellan this time, for Lily sat at her father’s right as the dinner
was in her honor. After coffee we adjourned to the
magnificent durbar room and listened to some music, a part of it was played on
bowls full of water jaltarang, it is called. All the
retainers of the palace were allowed to come in. It was very generous of the
Rajah to do so much.

Monday.
Yesterday we had a quite pleasant Sunday. We had morning  service and communion at 8, I rested
and read during the day and then at five went to evening service. Mr Bailie
gave a simple but good talk. Afterwards we all drove to the King’s gardens and
had a walk about the beautiful grounds. I had Harold and Lily to myself. The Rajah
and his brother  were
there too and we chatted with them awhile. After dinner Harold came into my
room and we had reading and talking. He seems to very glad I came. It is
pleasant to know that Lily also belongs to the ------ known. She seems a very
conscientious girl. I am glad she takes no wine, she
and Harold scarcely ever touch anything but water.

This forenoon
we have been to the church to decorate it. Mr Bailey was very suggestive and
helpful. I had the pulpit decorated and our Mrs Burke and our Mrs McClelland
the altar and chancel and the rest we did together. It is all to be
photographed and I will see that you have one. I have just been to talk with
Lily and now must look after my own vanities.

The house
looks very pretty. The cake is magnificent. There is to be a band outside of
the church and then here before the house. The Rajah and his brother will be at
the wedding.

Evening.
The festivities are over and you will wish to hear of them. At quarter
to two Mrs Newton, Mrs Burke, Mrs McClelland and I drove to the church. The
road from the residency to the church was lined with mounted troops who saluted
as we passed. After us came Harold, Mr McLelland and
Lieutenant Harrington the best man. Mrs Hunter, Capt Light and I sat on one
side of the chancel and the officers and ladies of the camp on the other. Soon
the Rajah and his brother came, most resplendent in silken robes, with
diamonds, rubies, pearls and emeralds. They sat at the end of our pew. A number
of Parsee and Bramin officials all came in and some
young officers. Harold looked calm and self possessed as he stood in his fine
uniform waiting for his bride. As soon as the bride appeared leaning on her
father’s arm, we heard the hymn ‘the voice that breathed o’er Eden. The bridal
dress was a heavy white satin with a small double plait around the bottom of
the skirt which had a long train of course. The bodice had the sash which is in
fashion now and the immense puffer sleeves. The upper part was covered with
beautiful Brussels lace and at her neck the bridge wore a lovely brooch of
pearls, something like this (she gives a small diagram - KJ),  Harold’s gift. Her veil made a large
square which fell gracefully about her and was caught by a short wreath of
orange blossoms and she had a spray of the same on the lace in front. She
carried an exquisite bouquet all of orange flowers with long white streamers
They were a fine looking pair as they stood together Harold’s responses were
clear and firm when it came to Lilian’s turn I could
see his lip tremble, however there was no need for she seemed as self possessed
as he after the first few words her tones were low but distinct. As they went
out of the church the band outside struck up the wedding march and the wedded
pair drove of in a four-in-hand to the residency. The
rest of us followed and first of all we had out photographs taken on the steps,
then we went in, the bride cut the cake with the bridegrooms
sword and then healths were drunk of the bridal
couple, of Col and Mrs Hunter, and of the Rajah. Harold made a proper speech in
return in a very proper way. The Rajah performed  ---- for them and made an exceedingly
good speech. While the friends were looking at the presents Mrs Burke and I
helped the bride lay aside her wedding robes. She was
soon metamorphized into a trim little travelling
bride in dark blue serge and a white straw hat. After a cup of tea, they
started off for Mandrie, amid a shower of rice, roses
and slippers. They are to stay at the residency there until Thursday morning
and then go with the McLellands to Jamnagar and stay
one night, starting by dark the next day for Ahmedabad
and then on to Palansour. When the guests were gone
Mr Bailie cut some of the cake and it was sent to the camp. The rest is to be
done today. We packed up most of the presents and were tired when dinner came
and only sat on the verandah and chatted until an
early retiring. Lieut Harrington wrote up an article
for the papers. This morning we have been finishing up the packing and now go
to breakfast.

Noon.
Yesterday after breakfast we went to the palace to the the Ranees. There are two of them
and four children. The prince is a fine little fellow of 7 years. It was a
really interesting sight and visit. In the afternoon we were again busy with
the cakes and then went for tennis given by the Rajahs brother. I had a long
talk with him. Mr Balie and Lt Harrington went off
early in the morning. Tomorrow morning Col Hunter the McLellands
and I are to start at five o’clock and just have time to see Harold and Lilian before they leave with the McLellands
for Jahmagar, Col Hunter is going with me to Bombay.
He has business with the Governor. It will be very nice for me to have his
company. He has ordered a carriage to be ready for me at the wharf. Everything
is free and kindly Mrs McLelland and I have just
returned from visiting the girls school and the High
School. The letters go off today and I have come very nearly to the end of my
story. I will try and enclose a copy of the list of presents if I can find
time. I am writing to Fred but only a short letter. If you will let Chloe see
this I will be very glad for I cannot copy the proceedings of the week. I
suppose Justin will soon be with you as he will probably leave Vienna on
Friday. I wish you could have been here but I have tried to be second best.

Very lovingly
your sister Anstice Abbott.