She bought in Europe a few
fine specimens of old Italian gilt furniture, and had them copied
in Calcutta by native workmen. In the East, the Oriental point of
view must be studied, and Easterns attach immense importance to
external splendour. The throne-room at Calcutta, under Lady
Minto's skilful treatment, became gorgeous enough for the most
exacting Asiatic, with its black marble floor, its rose-coloured
silk walls where great silver sconces alternated with full-length
portraits of British sovereigns, its white "chunam" columns and
its gilt Italian furniture. "Chunam" has been used in India from
time immemorial for decorative purposes. It is as white as snow
and harder than any stone, and is, I believe, made from calcined
shells. Let us suppose a Durbar held in this renovated throne-room
for the official reception of a native Indian Prince. The
particular occasion I have in mind was long after Lord Lansdowne's
time, when a certain Rajah, notoriously ill-disposed towards the
British Raj, had been given the strongest of hints that unless he
mended his ways, he might find another ruler placed on the throne
of his State.
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