72 
BOOTAN. 
thick frieze-like woollen cloth; yet he exhibited enough of his person 
to shew that he was tall, and muscular in his make, but not inclined 
to corpulency. His garment was of the religious order; a close vest, 
leaving the arm bare to the shoulder, unless when drawn beneath 
the mantle, which serves occasionally to cover the head, and reaches 
almost to the feet. 
His reception of us, was supported with dignity and good humour; 
he was grave, but animated; his behaviour collected and composed. 
He spoke rather in a low tone of voice, but very articulately; his 
delivery was accompanied with a moderate action; and the whole of 
his conduct, exhibited a degree of urbanity, that I confess surprised 
me, in one separated from intercourse with the world, by a mass of 
impervious mountains, and who was almost totally secluded from the 
sight of any other, than his own subjects. 
The next day, receiving an invitation from the Raja, I made him a 
second visit, and offered to his acceptance, a few English manufac¬ 
tures, and other things, which I had brought from Bengal. I omit 
the repetition of the ceremonious part of our interviews, which, as 
established by universal custom, is invariably and indispensably the 
same. 
An inferior, on approaching a superior, presents the white silk scarf; 
and, when dismissed, has one thrown over his neck, with the ends 
hanging down in front. Equals exchange scarfs on meeting, bending 
towards each other, with an inclination of the body. No intercourse 
whatever takes place without the intervention of a scarf; it always 
accompanies every letter, being enclosed in the same packet, however 
