Page 485 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

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RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB THE YEAR 1CO3-1904.
the more salient architectural features and at the same time displays of fire­
works were carried out from the high terraces of the two forts above mentioned.
These firoworks and illuminations were the form into which the community
of British and British Indian communities had chosen to put their welcome
to Their Excellencies, and the general effect was the more picturesque
and complete owing to the fact that Ilia Excellency Admiral Atkinson-Willes
had thoughtfully arranged for the ships of the squadron to have the outlines of
their hulls, masts, and yards illuminated at the sarao time, so that an equally
delightful spectacle was obtainable either from the shore or out at scu.
It was thoroughly enjoyed by the populace, and motley crowds of Mas-
katis, and Omanis from the interior thronged the beach and streets throughout
the day.
The morrow, however, the clay fixed for tho Viceroy’s Darbar to tlie
Sultan and his notables, was tho item in the programme, which the native
publio looked forward to with the most lively interest and they certainly had
no cause to be disappointed. Eortunately nature too was at her best and
graced the occasion with a smooth sea and most perfect weather, the absence
of which would have made a very great difference to the comfort and enjoy­
ment of tho darbaris.
H.M.S. Argonaut, a fine 1st class Cruiser of 11,000 tons and the
largest vessel present, was chosen as the most suitable place for the assemblage,
and had her quarter-deck transformed into a gorgeous Darbar Hall by the
help of the famous kinkobs of tho Viceroy’s establishment.
The only thing to be regretted was that accommodation was not possible
for double the number of persons, but as it was, thero could not have been less
than 300 present.
The ceremony was notified to commence at 11-30 A. M., but for an liour
before that time boats conveying native darbaris continued to reach the
Argonaut, and as the appointed hour drew nigh the booming of cannon
announced the arrival, first of the Admiral, then of the Sultan, and fiually,
when all were seated in their places, of His Excellency the Viceroy.
On the Viceroy’s right, on the large raised dais, was seated His Highness
the Sultan, and on His Excellency’s left the British Minister in Persia, the
Naval Commander-in-Chief, and their respective stalls. Below tho dais were
seated the Naval Officers of tho squadron and other British Officers on duty in
Maskat in full dress, and opposite to them an equal number of the Sultan’s
Officers of State and Notables of Oman. In tho centre of the arena on either
side of a large gun were accommodated the non-official darbaris and specta­
tors. The magnificence of the trappings and the galaxy of uniforms made
the scene an exceedingly brilliant one which must have impressed itself
indelibly on the memories of those present.
The Foreign Secretary having by His Excellency’s permission formally
opened the Darbar, the Chief Arab Notables were brought up in turn and
presented by the Political Agent, after whiohan Arabic address rich in expres­
sions, of sentiments of the most hearty welcome to the Viceroy and loyal
friendship for the British Throne and its representative, was read aloud on
His HighneRs’s behalf by Sheikh Rasliid-bin-Ozaiz, Governor of Seraail, HU
Highness’s most erudite official; and afterwards rendered in English by the
Political Agent. In reply His Excellency rose and delivered a speech which was
received by all present standing, and on its conclusion was read in Arabio bv
Khan Bahadur Abdurrahman Hakim, Native Attachd of the Foreign Depart­
ment. The English text will be appendod to this report. While the whole of
it was full of interest to those present, and listened to by the darbaris with the
keenest attention, the culminating point to them was no doubt reached when
at the end of his address His Excellency announced that he had that morning
received the gracious permission of His Majesty the King-Emperor to oonfer
upon His HighnessSeyyid Faisal, the high honour of the Grand Cross of the
ndian Empire. With this auspioious announcement, which was received
with much applause, the D.irbar was declared closed, and His Excellency then
retired to a robing room to prepare for the immediate investiture of His High­
ness. A few minutes later he returned to the throne on the dais dressed in