132 
BOOTAN. 
balconies. It is a very roomy lodgment, has a commanding position, 
and prevents the castle from being seen even at a small distance. 
The bridge of Wandipore is of singular lightness and beauty in its 
appearance. I am happy to annex a view of this structure b , taken 
upon the spot by Mr. Davis, and comprehending also the highly pictu¬ 
resque scenery around, as another proof of the talent, fidelity, and taste, 
with which my friend seized on every appropriate feature, that marks 
the character of this peculiar country. The bridge is composed entirely 
of fir, and has not the smallest piece of iron, or any other metal, to con¬ 
nect its parts. It has three gateways; one on each side the river, and 
another erected in the stream, upon a pier, which is pointed like a 
wedge towards the current, but is on the opposite side a little convex; 
below' it, the eddy, produced by the re-union of the divided water, has 
throw'll up a large bed of sand, on which grows a large willow, that 
flourishes extremely. The gateway on the Tassisudon side, is a lofty 
square stone building, with projecting balconies near the top, bordered 
by a breast work, and pierced with a portcullis. The span of the 
first bridge, which occupies tWQ thirds of the breadth of the river, 
measures one hundred and twelve feet : it consists of three parts,, two 
sides and a centre, nearly equal to each other; the sides, having a 
considerable slope, raise the elevation of the centre platform, which is 
horizontal, some feet above the floor of the gateways. A quadruple 
row of timbers, their ends being set in the masonry of the bank and 
pier, supports the sides; the centre part is laid from one side to the 
other. The beams and planks are both of hewn fir : and they are 
b Plate VIII. 
