Cli. xi. Indostan and Tibet. 203 



other ; and a regulation is framed completely -to 

 obviate abuse, and establish respect towards the 

 sacred orders of both sexes. 



The nation is divided into two distinct and 

 separate classes, those who carry on the business 

 of the world, and those who hold intercourse with 

 heaven. No interference of the laity ever inter- 

 rupts the regulated duties of the clergy. The 

 latter, by mutual compact, take charge of all spi- 

 ritual concerns ; and the former by their labours 

 enrich and populate the state.* 



But even among the laity the business of popu- 

 lation goes on very coldly. All the brothers of a 

 family, without any restriction of age or of num- 

 bers, associate their fortunes with one female, who 

 is chosen by the eldest, and considered as the 

 mistress of the house ; and whatever may be the 

 profits of their several pursuits, the result flows 

 into the common store.t 



The number of husbands is not apparently de- 

 fined, or restricted within any limits. It some- 

 times happens that in a small family there is but 

 one male ; and the number, Mr. Turner says, may 

 seldom exceed that which a native of rank at 

 Teshoo Loomboo pointed out to him in a family 

 resident in the neighbourhood, in which five 

 brothers were then living together very happily 

 with one female under the same connubial com- 



* Turner's Embassy, part ii. c. viii. p. 312. 

 t Id. c. x. p. 348. 350. 



