1 112 THE COURT OF THE SIKH SOVEREIGNS.
2 the right and left of a rising ground, fired an
3 irregular salute, while the allee of regular
4 cavalry flourished trumpets and kettle-drums,
5 and presented arms. On went the pageant,
6 while every step unfolded to the view some fresh
7 spectacle on which the eye might rest with plea-
8 sure. After passing two regiments, a discharge
9 of distant artillery announced that the Maha-
10 rajah had left his tents, and in a few minutes
11 afterwards his highness might be seen coming
12 down to meet his noble visitors in all the pomp
13 and circumstance peculiar to an oriental pro-
14 cession.
15 "The scene which now presented itself is utterly
16 beyond description. All that the imagination
17 can conceive of human grandeur, all that the
18 most exuberant fancy can devise in its en-
19 deavour to portray the acme of royal splendour^
20 was here embodied forth. Adown the avenue,
21 formed by the serried ranks of hundreds of
22 steady horsemen, whose steel casques and gay
23 appointments glittered in the sun, moved two
24 masses of elephants, bearing on their lofty backs
25 the mightiest potentates of the Orient, seated in
26 their gorgeous howdahs, and attended by the
27 chief officers of their respective courts, sump-
28 tuously attired. Beyond were seen columns upon
29 columns of scarlet- clad and helmeted troops,
30 ' all furnished, all in arms,* arrayed with a pre-