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.
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.
The official society in Simla at this period was particularly bright and happy. The Commander-in-Chief at Snowdon, Sir Donald Stewart, with his kindly wife and family of cheery, happy young people; the young men on the Viceroy’s staff, other dignitaries and their belongings, all like one big family, meeting nearly every day; then the crowd of visitors, officials from all over India on leave with their wives, officers up on short leave with wives if they own one, wives sent up for their health, while the husbands are kept working on the plains (Lord William being sure to look after them), little children with pale faces hoping to find some roses to take back to daddy; Lord William kept an eye on them all, ready to sympathise and help any he thought needing it.