TONGSA. 



269 



The people, above all those hitherto seen, are dirty in their persons, 

 uniting curiosity with no small share of obstinacy and impertinence 

 in their manners. The birds are the blackbird, a black mina, the 

 house-sparrow, sparrow-hawk, larger crow, domestic pigeons, kites, 

 and hoopoo. The red-legged crows I have heard once, but far above, 

 nor do I think that they ever visit this. The productions being 

 essentially different from those of the elevated valleys we have lately 

 quitted. Can those valleys be the steps to the table-land of Thibet to 

 which they must be near, and which is reached sooner in that direction 

 than any other ? The idea of the high vallies in question being steps 

 to table-land is perhaps corroborated by the fact, that the table-land 

 is said to be within two days' journey from Byagur. 



Our interview with the Pillo took place on the 15th, it was con- 

 ducted with some state, and with some impertinence. The latter 

 was indicated by delaying us at the door of the audience room, 

 the former by the attendance of more numerous and better dressed 

 attendants than usual. Two Piilos were present. The incense as 

 usual was burning, and the Pillos, both old and new, were seated 



f ore some large Chinese-looking figures. The only novel cere- 

 niou 13 the praying over a mess of something which I imagine 

 was meant for tea ; in the prayer all joined, when finished the 

 beverage was handed to the Pillos, who, however, were contented 

 with merely tasting it. Before this some was strewn on the floor in 

 front, and some to the right of the chieftains. The castle was in 

 places crowded with people, no less than 5 to 600, but all were as 

 dirty as usual. None but the immediate attendants appeared armed. 

 The new Pillo is a dark low-looking man, with an incipient goitre, 

 the old one a more decent aristocratic looking person, good-looking 

 and very fair. The presents were of course beggarly, consisting of 

 indifferent oranges, wretched plantains, sugarcane of still worse qua- 

 lity, and ghee of an abominable odour. 



March \lth. — We still remain here, and do not expect to leave 

 for two or three days. The weather is unsettled, and the sun in- 

 creasing in power daily. The new Soobahs left to-day for their 

 appointments, with the exception of the Dewangur one. Pigs are 

 here fed on boiled nettle leaves : old ladies may be seen occasionally 

 busily employed in picking the leaves for this purpose, and which 

 they do by means of bamboo pincers or tweezers. A few plantains 

 may be met with here, but in a wretched state. Rice may be seen 

 500 feet above this, on the north of the castle, the slope of a hill 



