PREFACE.
THIS volume contains selections from the narratives which appeared in the Times of India during the recent Coronation Assemblage at Delhi. The chronicle was written for the most part at the end of the telegraph wire, without any thought of republication in book form. It was only after the issues containing the principal messages ran out of print, that the proposal to issue some of them in a more permanent shape was made. The accounts of certain of the gatherings, including the Opening of the Art Exhibition, the State Service, the
Assault-at-Arms, and the Small Investiture at the Viceregal Party on January 9th, are omitted, as well as a number of sketches of scenes in the camps and the city. Even as it is, I fear that a series of
descriptions of pageantry which were meant to be perused singly, may when read in bulk be found rather cloying.
The chapters entitled "India's Bazaar," "An Off Day," and "Princes of India," are from the pen of my colleague, Mr. L. Elwin Neame, whose initials are attached to each.
The note about the Taj is added by way of tail-piece.
Acknowledgments are due to the Proprietors of the Times of India for permission to republish these contributions to their journal.
Bombay, February 5, 1903.
