A RUN THROUGH KATIIIAWA1I. lU9 



bedsteads with silver legs (which is a common but 

 unintelligible form of luxury among Indian princes), 

 and the society of all the principal Kathi chiefs. 



The national drin'k referred to is laisumba, or 

 kusoomba a decoction of crude opium. As it was 

 prepared on this occasion, and as the Kathis usually 

 drink it, lciixihitl><i was made by pounding crude opium 

 in a species of mortar, and then pouring water over 

 it. The water thus medicated was poured over it 

 again and again, until a very strong tincture of opium, 

 not materially different from laudanum, was pro- 

 duced, but (it is to be hoped) an extract rather more 

 diluted than, and not quite so strong as, the laudanum 

 of our pharmacopoeia. At all events, there was no 

 attempt at measuring it in drops. It was drunk 

 either in small cups, or, as a mark of particular favour, 

 out of the hollow of the administrator's hand. To 

 drink Icusiimba out of the hollow of a Ivathi's hand 

 is the proper way of doing so ; and to do so out 

 of cups is regarded very much as the meanness of 

 private tippling, if you do so of your own accord, or 

 as eating below the salt, if it is presented to you. 

 But this drinking out of the hollow of your neigh- 

 bour's hand has an ancient meaning attached to it. 

 It signifies that you and he become sworn brothers, 

 though the pact has lost much of its force in late 

 years, and perhaps may be considered as meaning 

 little more than an expression of jovial goodwill. 

 Whether it is because the Kathi chiefs are Scythians, 



