Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1886 — Royal Treasures of Delhi. [ARTICLE]

Royal Treasures of Delhi.

We passed on to the armory, when there were hundreds of choice and famous swords, hilted to outdo Excalibui in gold, jade, and jewelled work Soma of them had pearls enclosed in a slo| within the breadth of the blade, so thaj the pearls run ap and down as the poini is raised or depressed, a well known trick of the old oriental'sword forgers. There were shields of great beauty, some transparent rhinoceros-hide, studded with gold and jewels; some oj nilghau skin, the tuft of hair upon the breast being carefully retained, and made to furnish the tassel of the boss.. A shirts of mail worn by Holkar’s grandfather, and a rifle ten feet in length, were shown with special pride by the maharajah’s armorer, who is the best judge of the water and temper of a sword-blade, in Rajputana. In the tosha-kfaana were numberless chests oi teak bound with iron, containing the surplus funds of Ulwur ip rupees and gold mohur, elephant trappings, gilded saddles and bridles, dresses of honor, costly shawls, and the jewels of the royal household. The glories of these latter were'exhibited amid a crowd oi proud and respectable Raiput guard? and attendants. There was a diamond worth £IO,OOO, and two emeralds oi prodigious size, with Persian couplet* carved upon their lucent green which might have made any feminine breast glow with passionate desire; - not to mention a rope of pearls, for which the seat of Ormuz and of Lanka must have Hheu ransacked. The Tosha-Khana also buyt and stores perfumes; and the dark little treasure chamber was sweet and subtle with all sorts of essences, laid up for state occasions and for the pleasuring of the zenana, in flasks, jars, and little leathern dubbas. Those curious in the fine delights of fragrance should procure some of the oil of the Keora palm. It will give a new sensation to the nose.