It was near the end of November when Lord Cunningham, his wife and beautiful daughter were regally received in Bombay. Distinguished looking in his six feet two inches of height, with a leonine countenance, The Lord at once captivated the Indian rajahs, princes, and also commanded the respect of the populace. His courteous manners, forceful and firm proclamations and actual philanthropic undertakings coupled with his propaganda of dispensing equal justice to all, aroused at once the enthusiasm, patriotism and loyalty of every class, and quieted the racial differences and political disquietude among the people.
The Russian government, seeing this solid phalanx of unity and change of sentiment of the Indian people, beat a hasty retreat under the subterfuge of quelling an alleged disturbance on the borders of Manchuria.
In order to give himself an opportunity for a general introduction, Lord Cunningham decided to hold a reception and dance. It was planned to follow the style of entertaining then in vogue, a combination of literary and musical talent to be followed by a reception. Among the many who had consented to contribute to the evening’s entertainment, and occupying the place of honor, was the celebrated savant Abou Shimshek, the Astronomer of Ispahan, who had just returned from an adventurous expedition to the Himalayas to investigate Nature’s wonders.
Lord Cunningham being aware of the presence of the celebrated prodigies, the Dusky Quartette, who were on their itinerary to Bombay, had sought and engaged their services for the occasion. An American violin virtuoso, Spencer Hamilton, who had created a furore in Simla a week previously at a fashionable society recital and was acclaimed as an unequaled maestro of his instrument, had also promised to appear during the entertainment and render a few selections on the violin.
On the night of the Soirée a great multitude of natives as well as eminent European personages were present, in all the picturesque splendor of the habilaments of their respective countries. There were Maharajahs, dazzling with diamonds, accompanied by their retinue blazing with silver and gold embroidered costumes, Ascetic Brahmins and sombre looking Fakirs from the seats of learning of Hyderabad, mysterious emissaries from the sacred city of Delhi, learned Sheiks with flowing patriarchal beards from Arabia and Egypt, Magicians from all over Persia, besides all fashionable folk from military posts throughout the East Indian Empire.
Dashing and handsome officers vied with each other in their endeavor to do homage to the beautiful Aurora, who was enthroned next to her mother. After a prelude on the dulciphone, Abou Shimshek, amidst the huzzah and clamor of the assemblage, with great dignity came forward, and with uplifted arms, invoking the spirits of Hafiz and Firdozy to endow him with eloquence, began the account of his thrilling adventure as follows:
CHAPTER XII
Adventures of Abou Shimshek, the Astronomer of Ispahan
“Up, on the Kinchinginga’s lofty summit, where earth and heavens meet, where myriads of crystalline, icy temples in their immaculate and prismatic garbs here and there, and manywhere abound, temples, in whose solid glacial niches saints perpetually hold communion with Mahatma’s Son.