Book II. Travels in India. 185 



rafters upon the Barrel, it appear'd to have been* made above 180 years. It was 

 very thick, the mouth of the bore being like a Tulip, polifh'd within as bright as 

 a Looking-glafs. Two thirds of the Barrel were garnifh'd with embofsM Wires, 

 with certain Flowers of Gold and Silver inlaid between j and it carriM a Bullet 

 that weigh'd an ounce. But I could not prevait with the Merchant to fell it me, 

 nor to give me any of his powder. 



There are always fifty Elephants kept about the King's Houfe, and twenty five 

 Camels, with each a Piece of Artillery mounted upon his back, that carries half 

 a pound Ball. Behind the Gun fits a Cannoneer that manages and levels the Guns 

 as he pleafes. 



There is no King in the World more fear'd and more refpecled by his Subjects 

 then the King of Bout an } being in a manner ador'd by them. When he fits to do 

 Juftice, or give Audience, all that appear in his prefence hold their hands clofe to- 

 gether above their forheads : and at a diftance from the Throne proftrate them- 

 felves upon the ground, not daring to lift up their heads. In this humble pofture 

 they make their Petitions to the King ; and when they retire, they go backwards 

 till they are quite out of his light. One thing they told me for truth, that when 

 the King has done the deeds of nature, they diligently preferve the ordure, dry 

 it and powder it, like fhee2.ing-powder : and then putting it into Boxes, they go 

 every Market-day, and prelent it to the chief Merchants; and rich Farmers, who 

 recompence them for their kindnefs : that thofe people alfo carry it home, as a 

 great rarity, and when they feaft their Friends, ftrew it upon their meat. Two 

 Button Merchants ftiew'd me their Boxes, and the Powder that was in 

 them. 



The Natives of Boutan are ftrong and well proportion'd ; but their nofes and 

 faces are fomewhat flat. Their women are laid to be bigger and. more vigo- 

 rous than the men; but that they are much more troubled with fwelfings in 

 the throat then the men, few efcaping that difeafe. They know not what war 

 \s, having no enemy to fear but the Mogul. But from him they are fene'd 

 wi^h high, fteep, craggy, and fnowey Mountains. Northward there are nothing 

 but vaft Forrefts and Snow. Eaft and Weft nothing but bitter water. And as 

 for the Raja?i near them, they are Princes of little force. 



There is certainly fome Silver Mine in the Kingdom of Boutan, for the King 

 coins much Silver, in pieces that are of the value of a Roupy. The pieces 

 are already defcrib'd. However the Boutan Merchants could not tell me where 

 the Mine lay. And as for tneir Gold, that little they have is brought them 

 from the Eaft, by the Merchants of thofe Countries. 



In the year 16^9, the Duke of Mufcovy s Embafladors pafs'd through this 

 Country to the King of China. They were three of the greateft Noblemen hr 

 Mufcovy, and were at firft very well receiv'd - y but when they were brought 

 to kifs the Kings hands, the cuftom being to proftrate themfelves three ; times to 

 the ground, they refus'd to do it, faying that they would complement the King 

 after their manner, and as they approach'd their own Emperor, who was as great 

 and as potent as the Emperor of China. Thereupon, and for that they con- 

 tinu'd in their refolution, they were difmifs'd with their prefents, not being ad- 

 mitted to fee the King. But had thofe Embafladors conform'd to the cuftom of 

 China, without doubt we might have had a beaten rode through Mufcovy and 

 the North part of Great Tartary, and much more commerce and knowledge 

 of the Country than now we have. 



This mentioning the Mufcovaes , puts me in mind of a ftory that feverai 

 Mufcovy Merchants averr'd to be true, upon the rode between Tauris and If 

 pahan, where I overtook them, of a woman of fourfcore and two years of 

 age, who at thofe years was brought to bed in one of the Cities of Mufcovy*, 

 of a Male Child, which was carry'd to the Duke > and by him brought up at 

 the Court. 



CHAP 



