The State functions which all had to be arranged by him were no trifle, any mistakes or incompetence on the part of the Military Secretary might lead to serious trouble and jealousies. The official visits of the Rajahs to the Viceroy, our King’s representative for the time being, requires a special knowledge, each having to be received according to his rank. Some when coming to pay their respects have to be fetched, as I have already stated, by the Military Secretary, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Department, and an A.D.C. A guard of honour has to await his arrival, much red cloth spread, and a salute fired of as many guns as his rank entitles him, and they keep a very sharp and watchful eye, carefully noting these etiquettes, which are of staggering intricacy when receiving and paying visits. It is also obligatory that the General commanding the district should be in attendance with his A.D.C. Nothing must be left to chance. All is prescribed in the official regulations. At the levees and drawing-rooms the Military Secretary reads the names on the cards handed to him as each person presents himself to bow or curtsey. Some of the foreign names are rather posers and shocking mouthfuls. It requires some pluck to tackle them, and it is surprising what offence is caused if any mistake is made. Supposing Mrs. De Larpent Fitz-Jones-Ben-Maurice is presented, and the De is left out or the Fitz-Jones perchance, many apologies and explanations will have to be made. Besides these functions the viceregal stables were looked after by the Military Secretary, the French cook Bonsard and the English coachman with their native underlings to be kept up to the mark, the ladies’ maids (who usually require so much more waiting on than their mistresses) to be amused, and the servants ready to carry them out in rickshaws or jampans, to eat the air, or in some cases, riding, and I think no one was overlooked or forgotten. When on tour his lordship made out each day’s programme in advance, something after this fashion: 8 a.m. The Rajah of ... will send his Sirdars to ask after the health of the Viceroy. 9 a.m. His Excellency will eat his breakfast. 10 a.m. His Excellency will smoke and attend to his correspondence. 11 a.m. The Rajah will arrive, and the usual ceremonies take place. 12.30. His Excellency will return the Rajah’s visit. 1.30. Their Excellencies will have luncheon. 2.30. Sports and tent-pegging arranged by the Rajah for his Excellency’s amusement. and so on throughout the day. Imagine to yourself having to map out 365 days in this fashion and please everybody! Truly a great man, and some of the big functions I have been privileged to witness have sadly needed a Lord William as stage manager; he would have greatly added to the dignity of the shows and the persons taking part.