290 Capf. Pembertoris Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. [April, 



it is pulverised by thrashing with a flat club, and is then sifted. It is 

 subsequently kneaded by means of water into the proper consistence. 

 The operations are conducted entirely by the. hand, and the dexterity 

 which is shewn in fashioning the vessels is considerable. Of vessels 

 for containing water the upper half is made first, and the under is 

 added afterwards. Those made during the day are burnt at night, be- 

 ing covered with straw, which is then set on fire ; the finishing opera- 

 tion, if required, and which is intended as a substitute for glazing, is 

 rubbing them over with tarry turpentine ; they are then packed and 

 carried off to market, or rather to the palace : the artists are the poorest 

 of the poor, and as filthy as any other class in Bootan. They live 

 close to the potteries, in the most miserable hovels imaginable. The 

 wares they furnish are of several sorts — dishes, and pans, (some of which 

 have very small inefficient handles) gurrahs, and large oblong vessels 

 for containing water; of these one family consisting often or twelve 

 can make a considerable number, say sixty in one day. 



Of their manufactures of leathern articles I can say nothing : the 

 only articles I saw of this nature were the boots, which are of untan- 

 ned hides, and the reticules for holding tobacco, which are of decent 

 fashioning, tanned and coloured. And I believe I may here close the 

 list, meagre as it is, for the sugar, oil, ghee, &c. they use, is all brought 

 up from the Plains. As their manufactures are at so low an ebb, not 

 much is to be expected in the way of commerce; and this must con- 

 tinue to be the case so long as they derive every thing from the Plains, 

 and make no returns whatever ; so long as they may live an idle life 

 at the expense of others. Throughout the country indeed there is but 

 little evidence of frequency of intercourse. The busiest place by far 

 was Dewangiri, but this depended chiefly on the steps taken for the 

 provision of our party, and on the daily assembling of the Kampas 

 prior to descending to Hazoo. The Deb is stated to be the principal 

 merchant, but we only met two coolies laden with his merchandise ! 

 All the Soobahs likewise trade, but I apprehend their dealings are 

 altogether insignificant ; for excepting their followers, who are disin- 

 clined to pay, even had they money, and the priests who will not pay, 

 I know none from whom advantage in the way of traffic could with 

 any reason be expected. 



The exports from Bootan to the Plains are generally exposed for sale 

 at annual fairs, of which Hazoo and Rungpore are the principal. 

 The articles are ponies, mules, woollen cloth, and rock salt. To these 

 I must add a peculiar spice, known in Assam by the name of 

 Jubrung, and which is used, I believe, to some extent by the natives 

 in their cookery. It is very fragrant, very aromatic, and excessively 

 pungent, and if kept in the mouth but a short time, occasions a 



