Page 858 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

856

1934

the roof with the Lady Ayesha. James came with me to the Fort. Had a short practice of the parade for
the afternoon, the men did very well indeed and looked extremely smart. I had 100 men out leaving only
a few recruits in charge of the Fort and Police Station. Then motored to the Palace & James went up to
the roof. I went into the M... which was crowded with a constant stream of callers going in to
congratulate the Shaikh and - much to my horror- Mrs Loch seated up at the top next to Loch. Most
unsuitable. Went outside & sat with some of the Shaikhs watching the dancing, the usual thing, all men
with long arab gowns & a great deal of firing off guns and beating drums. There was a terrific din. Soon
the Police arrived & the Shaikh took up his position on the veranda above the central archway with the
S.N.O. Loch & various others. The Police did a march past and some evolutions but owing to the din of
the dancers they could not hear the words of command and so made a poor show of it. Then they did
some extended order drill which was quite good and seemed to impress the people very much. Then
some more drill & finally marched home. Later we all sat on the veranda & watched the dancing and
then went down below. The Shaikh was in great form and seemed much enjoying himself. After dinner I
went along to DGs & we went around the bazaar which was all decorated & illuminated and a wonderful
sight. All the silk shops had opened out their bales of coloured silk and the stuff bazaar really looked like
a scene in a pantomine, so full of colour and light. The people seem to enjoy a real holiday once a year
and it is a good plan having it an annual event. Lots of houses are illuminated with coloured lights and
they seem to realise how much one can do with electric in that way.

Wednesday 31st Jan

Went up to the Fort in the morning and did some arranging for the Sports. Ran off some of the heats &
then to the Police where M & L looked on at the dancing for some time. All the Shaikhs were there. I
took a lot of photographs. After lunch all the dancers came round to the house and danced in our
compound much to James' pleasure. Later there was a big tea party at the Agency, a lot of Arabs & all