1852.] A Journey through Si/dm. 571 



It stands on a terrace about 50 feet above the river. The terrace slopes 

 gently to the north and also to the south. The greater part of the 

 village is on the northern slope, and has a very picturesque appear- 

 ance as it is approached from the north, as also from this side of the 

 river. The houses are placed at convenient distances, and have trees 

 and shrubs about them. Poplars, magnolia-willows, peaches and bar- 

 berry are the most conspicuous. Behind the village to the north-east 

 rises a sloping grassy hill, to which clumps of junipers and pines, with 

 numerous yaks grazing on it, give a park-like appearance of great 

 extent and beauty. This open slope ascends to 1,000 feet or so, where 

 it is surmounted by a thick dark green forest of pines, contrasting 

 most pleasingly with the yellow autumnal tints of the pasturage, which 

 is rich and almost rank. Overhanging the village and rising out of the 

 larger grassy slope is a conical grassy knoll, the summit of which is 

 decorated with poles, and large flags, which are printed with texts and 

 prayers from the Buddhist Scriptures. A small monastery stands at 

 its base in a very lovely situation. I visited it. There are only 10 or 

 15 Monks attached to it, and its library does not exceed 20 volumes. 

 My reception was civil and cordial, as it always has been in the Goom- 

 bas of Sikim. I was seated on a cushioned bench in the body of the 

 centre room opposite the images and the library-cabinet, and served 

 with hot tea by an old Nun ; as soon as I sat down one of the monks 

 squatted cross-legged on the floor, counted his beads and muttered 

 prayers as long as I remained. The same thing was done when I 

 visited the Phipun's house, when tea was served to me in the chapel- 

 part of his house, a priest — his domestic chaplain, officiated. He 

 has 100 volumes of books. The monastery of Lachoong is connected 

 with one at Digarchi, and has no assignment of land in Sikim. The 

 Monks live by alms, and by largesses distributed by the Bhotias of the 

 valley during sicknesses and after deaths. The Phipun's father died 

 here a short time ago. It was said that property to the value of 

 Us. 1,000 was distributed to the Lamas on the occasion. The greater 

 part by far of this money went to Digarchi ; the rest to the local 

 Monks. The total however is greatly exaggerated, I believe. 



The cultivation here consists of Buckwheat, which is cut in October, 

 wheat sown in November and cut in May, turnips which are now in 

 season, and a few peas which come in, in the rains. Buckwheat bread 



4 D 



