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2 CHAPTER IX.
3 THE COURT OF THE SIKH SOVEREIGNS.
4 Although there is no immediate probability of
5 a restoration of the pomp which distinguished
6 the Sikh court during the reign of Runjeet
7 Singh, so good an idea may be formed of the
8 peculiar usages of a people, their resources and
9 tastes, from the description of the ceremonials
10 observed in the highest places, that the following
11 sketch of the Maharajah's manner of conducting
12 affairs cannot fail to be perused with interest.
13 It was given to the author by the news writer at
14 the court, since when he has had many oppor-
15 tunities of testing its fidelity. The reader will
16 be struck with the apparent inconsiderate lavish-
17 ness of the gifts ; but it should be borne in mind
18 that in most cases, a corresponding return of
19 presents is made by recipients of the bounty;
20 and in the instance of English visitors, it not
21 unfrequently happened that the Maharajah was