India 2001 books

The
only building with any architectural beauty is the monastery where the
old bishops reigned, and which must have many a queer tale to tell.
Asking for the Count de Salis, the English minister, we were directed to
the diplomatic street, a collection of tiny houses grouped respectfully
in front of the Palace, which itself was no larger than a Park Lane
house laid edgeways, and with the paint peeling from its walls.
Over the front door of each little house a sort of barber's pole stuck
outwards, striped with the national colours of the minister living
within.
We noticed with pride and relief that the Count de Salis' pole was
painted a reticent white. The sympathetic old lady who opened the door
directed us to the Legation. There we found him inspecting the damages
wreaked by the storm of overnight. The Legation was big and cold, and as
the handsome fireplaces sent out by the British Board of Works were for
anthracite only (and Montenegro produces only wood), the English
minister preferred his warm cottage to the unheated Palace.


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