B O O T A N. 
35 
now advanced, dancing, and the ceremony was ended with loud ac¬ 
clamations. 
We turned and descended the hill on foot (as the declivity was too 
steep for us to ride), in the midst of loud shrieks and shouts. We 
found, on our return, a large mat spread before the Soobah’s house, 
with a bench placed in the middle of it; and we went and stood upon 
the mat, while the priests chanted some prayers. A paper, containing 
shells and rice, was put into the Soobah’s hand, some of which he gave 
me, and we scattered them about: the cowries were quickly collected 
by the girls. A large vessel of liquor was before us : a ladle full of it 
was brought to the Soobah: he touched it; I did the same; and it was 
afterwards distributed among the people. We then adjourned to the 
Soobah’s apartment, drank tea and liquors, and were presented with 
fruits and provisions. 
The Soobah told me, that this religious ceremony had been per¬ 
formed because we were just arrived in Bootan; and it was proper to 
invoke their deity to grant us protection, and a prosperous journey 
through their country, that we might return in safety to our own. 
This was a duty, he said, which they owed to the English Company, 
and the Daeb would be pleased to know that it had been performed. 
They were happy, he added, that we had joined in this act of devo¬ 
tion ; and it was his wish that on our return we might revisit this 
abode, and again perform together the same ceremonies. We then 
took leave, and retired to our tents. 
In the evening of the ensuing day the Soobah came to visit us, and 
I amused him by explaining the different games at which we played; 
F 
