THE OUTER HIMALAYAH. 27 



women, many of whom are handsome, are clothed in a 

 manner similar to the men, except that a long skirt 

 takes the place of the kilt, and a shawl protects the 

 head, whereas hy the men a flannel cap is used. The 

 women are fond of ornament, and the necklaces of red 

 beads form a not unfavourable contrast with the hue of 

 their tawny skins, which is not so dark as to prevent 

 the glow of health from mantling in their cheeks. 

 Though innocent and modest, they do not rush away on 

 encountering an Englishman, nor hide their faces, but 

 gaze unconcernedly with their bright dark eyes, and in 

 the ease of their carriage, the picturesque character of 

 their dress, and the natural grace of their muscular but 

 femininely rounded arms, form a picture of rustic beauty, 

 that those languid belles, whom the " city of palaces " 

 produces, have reason to envy. The children, owing to 

 the exact similarity in dress, laughably resemble their 

 parents. The glee of their unrestrained gambols is 

 refreshing to witness, being a pleasant contrast to the 

 learned gravity of the little prigs that nowadays are not 

 uncommonly met with in more civilized society. 



The difficulties of the path prevented us from reach- 

 ing the origin of the watercourse, so we contented our- 

 selves with making for a neighbouring village, where a 

 meal of walnuts and milk, if indigestible, was at any 

 rate grateful and simple. 



In a few days we returned to Kangra, and resumed 

 our daily duty ; but, visiting Holta at various periods, 

 we have had great pleasure in watching the progress of 

 the new plantation. Workmen's houses have sprung 

 up ; roads intersect the now cleared ground ; bridges 



