Jehangeer Nowrojee and Hirjeebhoy Merwanjee

Journal of a Residence of Two Years and a Half in Great Britain

W.H. Allen, 1841.

Sir Charles...took us in his carriage to a most lovely spot in the Park, called the Zoological Gardens; on our way thither we saw a great number of very elegant carriages, drawn by beautifully spirited horses, with harness of superior description, and the coachmen and servants behind the carriages dressed in liveries of every known colour; within the carriages as we swiftly rolled by, we saw many women, fair and with light hair, many of them appeared to us most beautiful. All of them appeared to have mild blue eyes, and very sweet expression of countenance, and we saw more of female beauty in a few hours, than we had ever beheld in all our lives

In 1838 the two young naval architects from Bombay (Mumbai) had been dispatched to the Chatham shipyards in Kent to learn about 'the construction of steam vessels,' since it was clear that sailing ships were on their way out. But, citing the adage that 'keeping the bow always bent would only tend to weaken it,' they took time out to relax and see how the English disported themselves on their native soil; adding, doubtless with an eye to their employers back home, that they were 'careful in our hours of relaxation to visit such exhibitions, and to associate with such people, as would instruct while they amused.'

The Regent's Park...has all around it magnificent houses looking into it, built in every varied style of architecture...We consider these parks as most conducive to the health of the inhabitants of London. All these parks are inclosed in by iron railings with handsome gateways and they are infinitely superior to the Esplanade at Bombay, the only place of resort for the public near that city; here is to be found pure air, healthful exercise can be taken, and here at certain hours every day, more wealth, more respectability, more beauty, is to be seen collected in one spot than is to be found congregated in any other part of the world