Page 505 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

stairs, which were covered with scarlet cloth, and led him round the side along the veranda to the room adjoining the
reception room. It was covered with very handsome carpets and had all the heavy sofas and chairs in it. We sat there a
minute or two and then the doors were thrown open and we processed into the reception room and up onto the dais
where the other shaikhs were seated. The Resident and his party and Prior wore full Levee dress, cocked hats, swords
and the whole get up. The audience stood up and then we sat down. The show lasted an hour and a half. There were
about a dozen speeches and coffee and tea. When this was over we stood up and all the people came up onto the
platform one by one and shook hands with the Shaikh and the Resident, passing out by a side door. We then retired
into the other room and sat there talking till the hall had cleared. It was quite the most impressive and biggest show I
have seen here and went off without a hitch. It must have left the people gasping as none of the Arabs, or the English
or Americans either had ever seen a real Levee properly run. I expect there was much feeling about it. The Shaikh and
the Resident sat in the centre of the platform on a sofa, I was on the Residents right, then Mohamed Abdulla and
Sulman, on the other side of the Shaikh was Prior, two senior shaikhs and then the Secretary.

After tea went over to the Resident with the Shia Kadi who was given a sort of private audience. In the
evening an official dinner at the Agency, ten people. We wore tail coats and decorations. After dinner played pontoon.
A very good dinner. Sat next to Mrs Biscoe. They were all very enthusiastic about the Levee and evidently had not
imagined such a thing possible in Bahrain, nor would it have been a few years ago. It really was a wonderful show and
a great success, although I staged it entirely myself.

Thursday [12 December]

Took the Resident round various places in the town in the morning, to the Quarantine station, the aerodrome, the
schools the bazaar and the Customs. He showed a great interest in everything. At the Customs D.G had all his staff
lined up and made a long speech attired in his peculiar frock coat and a while sun helmet. He looked rather like an
undertaker. The frock coat came well below his knees. I talked to the Resident about my idea of changing the Indian
Police for Sudanese and he seemed to approve, also about D.G. and Parke. In the afternoon we all went over to
Muharrak to the opening of the Sea Road, a road along the shore in front of the town which makes it look like a seaside
town in England. Shaikh Abdulla was present. We had a photo taken by the Indian photographer. Various people
from my offices were there with cameras. After the opening the ladies went to call on Ayesha and we went up to the
School which we looked at and then for a drive across the plain towards Hedd. Very cold driving and was sorry I had
not my great coat. A dinner at the Palace in the evening, ourselves, the Agency party, the Captain of the ship and D.G.
and a man he has staying with him called Duncan, something to do with tea. Quite a good show. Again I had to act as
interpreter, I find it rather tiring work, but The Shaikh is very easy to deal with as I usually know what he will say
before he says it. After dinner, which was over at 7.30 we went on to the Agency where we danced and had supper. A
most amusing evening. So pleasant to be among people of ones own sort entirely. I have quite deserted my office
these last days.

Friday [13 December]
Went for a long drive in the morning with the Resident and party. We went in our car and led the way, all round by
Budeya, Jessra and then to Sakhrir and back to Manama. About forty miles I think. The Shaikh came to say good bye
to the Resident after lunch but I managed to put him off till later. They all lunched with us and in the evening they
departed by launch to the boat. Tennis at the Agency but only the Missionaries came as other people thought that there