BOOTAN. 
83 
long unmolested is, I believe, the only attention paid to bees in Bootan. 
They appeared to me of the same species with the English, small, 
short, and yellow. The Raja added, “ But these, by my direction, are 
never disturbed: their labour is employed for the benefit of the com-’ 
munity, in laying up a stock, which serves to rear their young, and as 
a resource when they cease to find food abroad.- Were I, availing 
myself of superior power, to deprive them of this store, accumulated 
for their future support, how could I expect to enjoy unmolested, that 
of which I am myself possessed?” His conversation abounded with 
similar observations, introduced as frequently as the subject will admit, 
and they breathed sentiments highly honourable to the humane spirit of 
their religious faith. It grew late; the evening approached; we retired 
to take our walk, and left the Raja to his customary devotions. 
The Gylongs assemble in their chapels three times a day, for the 
performance of religious service; in the morning, at noon, and at 
night. We were regularly roused at the earliest dawn of day, by the 
clamorous noise of numerous instruments, to whose sound they chanted 
their orisons. At twelve, the Gylongs met again to perform their de¬ 
votions, and the evening closed with their prayers. The gates of the 
palace were then shut, as well for the sake of tranquillity and safety, 
as to prevent a violation of their rigid rules of chastity. Fifteen hun¬ 
dred Gylongs are contained within these walls', and not a female lodges 
under the same roof. The religious, from their first introduction into 
the order, are bound by its laws to celibacy, and are interdicted, by the 
severest penalties, from all connexion with the female sex • the benefit 
of some friendly offices they are, nevertheless, not denied; and I 
M 
