418 A Journey through Sikim. [No. 5. 



two horse journies east of Lassa. Here he informed me he had studied 

 the Bhuddist religion for two years, but in saying so modestly added, 

 " It takes 3 years of Mendooling to make a Pucka Lama," of his 

 alma mater, he gave the following particulars, " There are upwards of 

 100 Lamas engaged in clerical duties, and in teaching Religion. 

 Literature and the Sciences are deeply studied and extensively 

 taught, and all the arts of life are also taught there, carpentery, stone 

 masonry, painting, shoemaking, tailoring, &c. Pupils come from all 

 parts of, what we call Eastern Thibet, the province of U, to learn 

 there ;* one professor is always appointed to the principal College at 

 Lassa from Mendooling, and when I was there he had the sons of all 

 the grandees of the capital, as his pupils." I expect to hear much 

 more of Mendooling before we have finished our travels together, for 

 the Raja writes that my little friend is to take care of me to the 

 Northwards. 



I have got into a good house for the night, 4 p. m. ; heavy and 

 continued rain. Thermometer 71°, elevation say 3,500 feet. 



30th. Incessant pouring rain all night. The house leaked freely, 

 but I got a dry spot for my bed. The rain continues, and we 

 halt for the day. No wonder that Bengal is under water just 

 now, every depression on the mountain sides has a snow-white 

 foaming torrent in it, rushing furiously to the river, and they are 

 countless in number. The noise they make, added to that of the 

 Teesta itself which is just below me, say 2,000 feet, is like the 

 coming of a furious storm. I felt very aguish last night, and dreaded 

 jungle fever ; but the symptoms are gone to-day. Lepchas own this 

 house, my portion of it is curtained off, but there is only one door 

 for us all. They have indeed some dirty habits. The grandmama 

 of two urchins was sitting in the door way, as the place for strongest 

 light when I got up from breakfast. The brats were busily hunting 

 lice in her back clothes and eating them, she herself being similarly 

 employed with those in front ! 



There is a little tobacoo grown here, but no care is taken of it. 

 The leaves are small, it is allowed to go to seed, and is said to be of 

 very inferior quality. 



* All East of the Kamboola range is " U," all West of it " Chang" or tsang. 



