DEWANGERI RAJAH. 



201 



The pucka houses are ungainly structures, the height being out of 

 all proportion to the width, the walls are very thick, and composed 

 of slate slabs, the roof is choppered with projecting eaves, the win- 

 dows are very narrow. Each has three stories, the middle one being 

 occupied by the owner, this is divided into several rude compart- 

 ments, each of which has one or two balconies. 



The steps are rude and awkward, consisting of notches cut into 

 large blocks. The cooking is carried on, on the ground floor, much 

 to the edification of the residents above. Dirt abounds in every 

 direction. The doors are rudely constructed of wood. 



January 4th. — To-day was occupied by moving up into the village, 

 in which we occupy a pucka house. 



January 5th. — Visited the Sooba or Rajah, his house is very 

 picturesque, reminding me much of the pictures of Swiss cottages : 

 it is whitewashed, with a red belt. The interior is capacious ; the 

 state room has hangings, which are decorated with native pictures 

 on cloth. At the east end is a recess in which are some well-executed 

 Chinese statues, the chief figure is of large dimensions, and is intend- 

 ed to represent the Durmah Rajah, whose statue is supposed to 

 give infallibility. Two bells were suspended, one from the centre, the 

 other from the balcony, the tongues of which were long, of ivory, and 

 moved by a string. The Rajah received us in state, amidst discor- 

 dant sounds of horns, pipes, and drums ; his followers for the most part 

 were badly clothed, the few decent looking persons being only decent 

 externally. He was seated on a raised dais and was well dressed. 

 He is a stout Chinese looking man, about 50 years old, and his deport- 

 ment was certainly easy and dignified. The meeting was very friendly, 

 but it is evident that we shall be delayed here at least seven days. 



The central room in the Rajah's house is used as a guard house ! 

 arms were fixed round the walls, but they seemed to consist chiefly of 

 spears, swords, and bucklers. 



January 6th. — I walked this morning to a village, a mile to the west, 

 in which there is a picturesque pucka house of religion. What pleased 

 me especially was a specimen of a juniper, of extreme elegance, with 

 drooping branches. The house itself was of the usual form, and one 

 end was occupied as usual by an ornamental window and balcony. I 

 noticed in addition Ulmus and Quercus. 



The vegetation hitherto seen about this, consists of mango trees, 

 several species of fig, among which were Ficus indica, elastica, 

 terminalioides, Papyrifera, etc. two with cordate leaves occur. Ulmus, 



2 d 



