Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1878 — The Peacock Hall of Delhi. [ARTICLE]

The Peacock Hall of Delhi.

The next building is the ‘‘Hall of Audience,” and is so beautiful in design that I shall not attempt a description, but, rather, quote from Beresford’s “Delhi:” “ Peculiarly set apart for the reception of nobility is a quadrangle of moderate dimensions. The building is a very beautiful pavilion of white marble, supported on pillars of the same material, the whole of which, with the connecting arches, is richly ornamented with flowers of inlaid mosaic works of different-colored stones and gilding. It is raised on a terrace four feet nigh, the floor of which is composed of flags of white marble. Between each of the front row of pillars is a balustrade of marble chastely carved in several designs of perforated work. The top of the building is ornamented with four marble pavilions with gilt cupolas. The ceiling of the pavilion was originally completely covered with filigree work/’ but, in 1799, the Mahrattas, after a capture of the city, took the silver down and melted it, the valne of the same being estimated at nearly a mil’ion dollars. “In-the cornice at each end of the interior hall is sculptured in letters of gold, in the Persian language: ‘lf there is a paradise on earth, it is tote? ” “In this hall was the famous peacock throne, so called from its having the figures of two peacocks standing behind it, their tails being expanded, and the whole so inlaid with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, pearls and ither precious stones of appropriate colors, as to represent life. The throne itself is six feet long by four feet broad. It stood on six massive feet, which, with the body, were of solid gold, inlaid with rubies, emeralds" and diamonds. It was surmounted by a canopy of gold supported by twelve pillars, all richly emblazoned with costly gems, and a fringe of pearls ornamented the borders of the canopy. Between the -two peacocks stood the figureofa parrot, of the ordinary size, said to have been carved out of a single emerald. On either side of the throne stood a chatta, or umbrella, one of the Oriential emblems of royalty. They were made of crimson velvet, -richly embroidered and fringed with pearls. The handles were eight feet long, of solid gold, and studded with diamonds. The cost of this superb work; of art has been variously stateci at sums varying from £1,000.000 to £6.000,000. It was plannee! and executed under the supervision of the same Austin de Bourdeaux.” The peacock throne, with nearly all the treasures in the city, were taken away by $ Persian conqueror in 1780,

An Americas mind can scarcely realise BMh bonndlasa extravagance, ■ but my Indi An experience has caused me to look with cool indifference upon rows and.’HtriiMp of jewels tha| would excite' niy Jaqy friends to. a frantic pitch of .I admiration. 12 lA dhi Cor. Worcester (Mass.) Spy.