INTERVIEW WITH THE DEB AND DHURMA RAJAHS. 



283 



visit went off well. The room was tastily, but not so profusely orna- 

 mented with scarfs as was the Deb's. 



On returning we found the household guard drawn up in front to 

 prevent our passing out without paying a fee. This matter was 

 soon settled forcibly, and the durwan, or door-keeper, lost by his 

 impudence the present he would otherwise have had from P., besides 

 being in a great fright lest the affair should be reported to the Rajah. 



April 1 \th. — The rains appear to have set in : the sky is constantly 

 over-cast, and showers are by no means unfrequent. One of our 

 dawks arrived opened : this no doubt took place in the palace, al- 

 though the Deb strenuously denies it. Messengers are to be sent to 

 Tassgoung, where the accident is said to have happened. The cause 

 of its having been opened, is no doubt the report that there was a 

 letter in it from the old Deb. 



April \Ath. — A violent squall unaccompanied by rain, came on 

 yesterday from the west : roofs were flying about in every direction, 

 and many accidents occurred from the falling of the stones by which 

 they were secured. Part of the palace was unroofed. The storm 

 has stopped all our amusements, particularly as the GyloDgs attribute 

 it to our firing. The Kacharies, our servants, were likewise requested 

 not to play any more on the esplanade. This is just as it has been 

 in every other place in Bootan, nothing is said against amusement 

 until the presents have been received, and then we are requested to do 

 nothing, and the authorities become disobliging ! 



The potters fashion their earthernware entirely with their hands, 

 the upper half is finished on a flat board ; the lower being added 

 afterwards ; the finishing is done chiefly by a wet rag, the operator 

 revolving around the pot. The vessels chiefly used for carrying water 

 are oval, these are covered with black glaze. 



Some Didymocarpi very fragrant, one near Chindupjee most grate- 

 ful, resembling quince and sandal wood ; the odour is permanent, and 

 appears to reside in the young leaves before their expansion : Iris, Hy- 

 pericum, Viola, Ligust., Ranunculus, Verbasena, Gymnostomum, 

 Serratula arenaria, Veronica. 



