Institutions of the Inhabitants ofBoutan. 505 



degree, depravity of morals and vices of various kinds, is in some measure 

 exemplified in Boutan, -wiiere there is no other coin than the Beyhar 

 rupee, which finds its way into the country in so scanty a portion, as to leave 

 the natives possest almost of the same advantages with those to whom money 

 is wholly unknown. Under these circumstances, the governors of districts, 

 and others employed under the Rajah, have not the same means of amassing 

 wealth, which in other countries excites peculation and proves the source 

 of the most destructive crimes : for had they ever so much a natural pro- 

 pensity to such practices, insurmountable obstacles would arise to the 

 gratification of their views. An exorbitant levy on the produce of the land 

 would be a transaction impossible to conceal ; or if practised with success, 

 the different commodities must perish upon hand, as no means would occur 

 of turning them into money but by exportation, which would require the 

 Rajah's authority and passport. Wealth is, besides, less valuable to an indi- 

 vidual in Boutan, than in countries where it not only procures the con- 

 veniences of life, but the distinctions due to merit. In Boutan it might 

 create envy, but could not raise the possessor above the rank assigned him 

 in one of the classes before described. The pride of dress and attendants 

 is unknown to all except a few public officers, employed immediately 

 under the Rajah, and the mass of the inhabitants are here more nearly 

 upon an equality than they are in most other civilized parts of the world. 

 The policy of the government seems also calculated to prevent them from 

 changing their condition, or aspiring above their fellows. The dress of 

 a priest is always the same, though he should hold the most distinguished 

 civil employment. The zeen-caabs are all in uniform, nor dare they alter 

 it with the addition of any extraneous finery. Even the embroidered gowns 

 worn by the two of that order at Calcutta, which had been given them by 

 the Rajah, were sold on their return to Buxaduar, being then become 

 useless. They assemble at their meals, and have their provisions dealt out 

 to them. The regulations and customs of the government seem calculated 

 to promote an equal distribution of the gifts of Providence among each class 

 of the inhabitants, and, as the country is certainly not distinguished by any 

 superfluity, to prevent individuals from accumulating an exorbitant share 

 to the prejudice of their countrymen. Ambition and vanity can have no 

 objects of incitement in Boutan, where society is consequently little exposed 

 to the disturbances incidental to the gratification of those passions; and an 

 ease and tranquillity may be supposed to prevail, of a nature not unlike 



