DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3462#0062
38 THE DURBAR
pictures of the state entry." With that this
energetic little man hurried me off to the tower.
I saw that this position would be of no earthly
use for my purpose: it was too much of a bird's-
eye view. In fact, the whole building seemed
wrongly constructed from the painter's standpoint.
It was too high up. I began to wish that I could
have a position on the steps of the Jumma Masjid
among the Moslemin, so as to be more on a level
with the procession as it passed. I asked a young
A.D.C. if this were possible. He answered im-
mediately in the affirmative with the alertness and
intelligence which characterised all Lord Curzon's
staff of helpers. He introduced me to an old
native official in a gorgeous costume, a man of
some position and well known to the populace.
This gentleman, he explained, would take me into
the crowd and clear a space for me wherever I
chose to paint. Looking down upon the surging
mass of people packed as closely as mosaic, I
thought it impossible that there could be a square
inch of space among them; but directly the gold-
laced aide-de-camp appeared above the steps and
the gorgeously-dressed official followed by myself
descended, the mass melted and separated, leaving
a long, clear pathway.
pictures of the state entry." With that this
energetic little man hurried me off to the tower.
I saw that this position would be of no earthly
use for my purpose: it was too much of a bird's-
eye view. In fact, the whole building seemed
wrongly constructed from the painter's standpoint.
It was too high up. I began to wish that I could
have a position on the steps of the Jumma Masjid
among the Moslemin, so as to be more on a level
with the procession as it passed. I asked a young
A.D.C. if this were possible. He answered im-
mediately in the affirmative with the alertness and
intelligence which characterised all Lord Curzon's
staff of helpers. He introduced me to an old
native official in a gorgeous costume, a man of
some position and well known to the populace.
This gentleman, he explained, would take me into
the crowd and clear a space for me wherever I
chose to paint. Looking down upon the surging
mass of people packed as closely as mosaic, I
thought it impossible that there could be a square
inch of space among them; but directly the gold-
laced aide-de-camp appeared above the steps and
the gorgeously-dressed official followed by myself
descended, the mass melted and separated, leaving
a long, clear pathway.