The nabobs of Madras / by Henry Dodwell.

  • Dodwell, Henry, 1879-1946.
Date:
1926
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The nabobs of Madras / by Henry Dodwell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    queting Hall, expressly for the purpose of his greater entertainments. We have ceased to live in the Fort, though we still own 52 houses there. We now stretch down the Mount Road, beyond the Cooum, where in 1753 were only three garden-houses besides the governor’s, with a Sepoy guard to protect them. There are Pater’s Gardens, Dent’s Gardens, Mackay’s Gardens, and many others, each with its wide grounds, out to Blacker’s Gardens on the Long Tank. North of the river are Haliburton’s Gardens, and the Pantheon, and Casamajor’s Gardens. Along the Poonamallee Road another string leading to Landon’s Gardens and the house of Attorney Disney. Southwards too by Sulivan’s Gardens to Moubray’s Gardens on the banks of the pleasant Adyar, and General Brathwaite’s mansion at its mouth. In all perhaps nearly a hundred great houses thinly scattered over an area four miles by two, for we like elbow-room, both in our homes and round them. And when we set our minds to it what entertainments we give! Wayte and Ellis, living together in a house on the bank of the Long Tank, give a masquerade and ball. They build a temporary ball-room, as no room even in their house is large enough for their guests, and illuminate their gardens and the borders of the tank with thousands of little lights. Dancing begins at midnight, and supper is served at three. Again the same two and eighteen others give a grand masquerade. Thackeray’s uncle is of their number, and represents Death by his cos¬ tume, while another of the hosts is the Devil. This ball was given at the Pantheon, and the whole place was gor¬ geously decorated. Changes of costume were the rule on that occasion. Before supper the hosts retire to reappear dressed as Knights of Maltaj and many of their guests figured under more than one character in the course of the night. There was no dancing till after supper, but then