SOi Mr. S. Davis on the Religious and Social 



its dissolution by clearing it from the black and greasy coat of dirt which 

 it soon acquires. Their extreme poverty precludes them from an acquaint- 

 ance with those eastern luxuries, beetle and tobacco, which, having never 

 enjoyed, they cannot feel the want of. 



The Rajah, according to the probable origin of every chief magistrate, is 

 here still seen merely in the character of trustee to superintend the manage- 

 ment of the produce of the country, and to take care that it be justly applied 

 to the subsistence and comfort of the inhabitants ; and having so much less 

 than others of the like station to draw aside his attention, it is probable that 

 he acquits himself tolerably of the duty. At home he appears without any 

 parade or throng of attendants, and would be taken rather for the master 

 of a great family than for an independent prince. The prostration is the 

 sole abject mark of subjection that the natives exhibit, and this is only used 

 upon an introduction to the Rajah's presence after considerable absence ; 

 at all other times the zeen-caabs, and others of the palace, have access and 

 converse with him without any ceremony, and it is the custom in Boutan 

 for tlie meanest person, either when introduced, or on taking leave, to be 

 presented with a dish of tea or strong liquor, and to be asked to sit while he 

 drinks it. When the Rajah travels, it is on horseback, preceded by some 

 of the country musicians, and a guard armed with matchlocks; next follow 

 some persons on foot, dressed in ceremonials, with red bushy caps, and a 

 great many led horses.* The Rajah apparently passes his life peaceably 

 and agreeably, altemately moving about to his castles or palaces, of 

 which he has many principal ones, besides the smaller villas, such as that 

 above Ponaka ; and so various are the situations and climates of these 

 places, that he may suit his particular constitution or feelings in any season 

 of the year, and by a few days' journey properly directed, experience all 

 the different degrees of temperature between the extremes of Zembla and 

 Bengal. 



That the absence of money in a society excludes, in a proportionate 



* The Rajah's principal attendants were, the kelidar, the dewan, and zempin, and a j'ouug 

 man his nephew. They were all gylongs, and by their dress not distinguishable from the other 

 priests. They had their respective apartments in the castle, consisting of a closet, with an altar 

 for devotion, and an anti-chamber. In the latter, which is always hung round with matchlock 

 pieces, and bows and arrows, are commonly seen a few persons in waiting, who attend on 

 their Chief when he goes out, which is seldom, unless to the adjacent river to bathe. 



