HANOI TO MONGTSE 



article of contraband at the Manhao custom-house ; the dues are 

 collected at Mongtse. The rock-salt comes down in small boats 

 from the mines situated four or five days farther up the river. 



Whilst at Manhao the market was held, which every week 

 attracts the villagers of the surrounding country. The scene was 

 one of great 

 animation ; and 

 we were able to 

 get a glance at 

 many of the hill 

 folk, with their 

 different dresses 

 and dialects, 

 with whom we 

 were later to 

 come in contact. 

 Here was a 

 Poula woman, 

 wearing, Chinese 

 fashion, a mantle 

 with green and 

 red trimming ; 

 upon her fore- 

 head was bound a 

 kerchief studded 



Young Hou-Ni Woman. 



with little silver knobs, and adorned on either side with cowries and 

 red worsted tassels, behind which fell two lappets, embroidered 

 horizontally with green and red. The same colours and dress 

 are to be found among the nomads of Thibet. The Poula lady 

 had a bronzed oval face, and small features, except the lower lip 



15 



