ABSTRACT
During the first half of the nineteenth century, Government House dominated the Calcutta scene in a way that no other building did; standing stark behind its railings, in grounds that were devoid of even a single tree. Government House regained most of its splendour under that otherwise ineffective Governor-General, Lord Auckland, the one-time suitor of Lady Byron; only to be virtually deserted by the next two rulers, Lord Ellenborough and Lord Hardinge, who spent most of their time up country. The fauna of Government House was not limited to the insect kingdom. In June, according to Fanny Eden, the snakes altogether took possession of the place. Chance's adventure with the bull-dogs was witnessed by many, for there was always a crowd of petitioners at the gate of Government House. The Eden sisters found Calcutta society dull. The guests at Government House did not quite come up to the brilliance of the entertainments.
