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27 November 1905 — Peshawar | |
Monday. 27th [November 1905]. We were accompanied by Miss Wersfold—& drove to Major Rawlinsons. There he made us change into his own carriage with the royal arms on its panels & he took us to see the new Victoria Hall wh has just been built & which is to be opened in state by the P. & Pss of Wales when they come here next week. It was designed by Sir Lewiston Jacob of Jaipur & is a handsome building but the entrance is rather wanting in importance. From there he took us to a new guest house wh is being prepared for the reception of native chiefs—a vast quadrangle surrounded by 4 suites of rooms with stairs leading to each. He thence drove us through the city to the Zenana Hospital which Miss Wersfold took us over– Here Major Rawlinson left us to go to his business. His hospital is entirely under the care of women Drs & the head Dr showed us round it– It is said to be splendidly managed & the native women are grateful for it– It seemed strange to us to see the natives squatting about on their beds or on the floor & it was only relatively clean—that seems the great difficulty with these women who are only half civilized. The worst part seems to me that the whole thing is used as a means for proselytising– Native women were resting & talking to the patients with a view to conversion to Christianity. But when I asked how many converts had been made the answer was “none at present but we know of 2 girls who wish to come over & are Christians at heart & another who will probably join us.” It seems to be that the natives accept all the kindness & charity of the good missionaries & listen to their teaching as a mark of gratitude—& perhaps they learn gentleness, good feeling to strangers & a little cleanliness. From the Zenana we went to Dr [illegible word] hospital for men—rather rougher than the former—then to the missionary schools & college where we saw all the young students at their classes. The drive back through the city was most interesting & picturesque through the town & bazaars—they were very narrow in some places & we were lucky in not meeting any conveyances. We stopped at a shop to see if there were any carpets or stuffs we cared to buy—but there was nothing interesting or tempting. We drove back to the Cantts & lunched with Major & Mrs Rawlinson at 2 o’clock. In the afternoon took a pleasant drive to the public gardens which are beautifully kept. We saw there many plants which are grown by us in England in glass houses– With us they are small specimens, here they are large & luxuriant plants. | |
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