EOOTAN, 
63 
lying to the northward of the palace, and at no great distance from it, 
situated on an eminence high above the river, which runs on the other 
side of a narrow road, that winds round the base of the hill. 
Opposite, and not half a bowshot off, there is a very good covered 
bridge across the Tehintchieu, and from our apartment, we had an 
extensive view, both up and down the valley, which is in a high 
state of cultivation, bearing various kinds of grain, and diversified by 
clusters of houses. There is no regular town, nor any village, within 
a mile of the palace. Upon a low hill, about a mile distant from 
us towards the south, is seen the palace of Lam’ Ghassatoo, and at 
somewhat more than the same distance westwards, highly elevated 
upon the ridge of a mountain, stands a handsome villa belonging to 
Lam’ Rimbochay. The banks of the river are lined with willows, and 
the surrounding mountains have some timber trees, intermixed with 
the fir and pine, as well as a great variety of flowering shrubs; whilst 
a number of single houses, and some monasteries, having orchards 
and hanging fields of corn about them, ornament the finely romantic 
views, with which we were delighted from every part of this valley- 
z' 
