BOOTAN. I 5 7 V 
according to report, were extremely inconvenient to them, as they 
were inflexible ; in consequence of which they were obliged to dig 
holes in the ground, before they could attempt to sit down. 
He had a very curious creature, he told me, then in his possession; 
a sort of horse, with a horn growing from the middle of his forehead. 
He had once another of the same species; but it died. I could not 
discover from whence it came, or obtain any other explanation than 
burra dure! a great way off! I expressed a very earnest desire to 
see a creature so curious and uncommon, and told him that we had 
representations of an animal called an unicorn, to which his description 
answered; but it was generally considered as fabulous. He again 
assured me of the truth of what he told me, and promised I should 
see it. It was some distance from Tassisudon, and his people paid it 
religious respect; but I never had a sight of it. 
The last story I shall notice, is an account the Raja gave me of 
an adventure of his own, designed not less to magnify our opinion of 
his zeal, than to add respect to his religious character in the estimation 
of his own disciples: it was introduced in consequence of our con¬ 
versation turning on Tibet. He painted to me the difficulties of the 
way, and the wide disparity of country and of climate. “ I have 
seen, I have experienced, and speak from my own knowledge; for, 14 
continued he, “ some years ago, putting on the appearance of a men¬ 
dicant or fakeer, I made a pilgrimage to Lassa, and visited the holy 
temples, sacred as the seats of the superior objects of our worship. 
My journey was performed all the way on loot, with one companion. 
I walked over, and saw, every part of the extensive city of Lassa; I paid 
